“You don’t talk about sexuality or identity,” Kareem Tabsch, the co-director of Mucho Mucho Amor, asks Walter Mercado in the documentary (now streaming on Netflix). “Why is that?”
“I have sexuality with the wind,” Mercado replies. “I don’t need a person to have an orgasmic experience... I have sex with life!”
For those who are unfamiliar, Mercado was an enormously popular Puerto Rican telenovela star-turned-TV astrologer, known internationally for his ostentatious aesthetic and verve. From the 1970s through the 2000s, Mercado presented dramatic horoscope readings to Spanish speakers worldwide, delighting daily audiences of up to 120 million at his peak.
His rise to stardom began when a TV show host invited Mercado to give a short presentation on astrology. Mercado’s segment was so wildly popular that he began making regular appearances dripping in jewels, extravagant capes and dramatic makeup. But his career was later marred by years of legal battles with Bill Bakula, the same manager who once elevated Mercado’s platform in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Considering Bakula as his close friend, Mercado neglected to read a contract before signing it, which conferred all of the rights to his image, name and likeness to Bakula. Mercado eventually reclaimed those rights, but his career unfortunately never rebounded. Mercado’s death last year was mourned by millions worldwide, and Mucho Mucho Amor is an endlessly entertaining way to look back at the astrologer’s impact.
Tabsch and co-director Cristina Costantini, both award-winning documentarians, embarked on Mucho Mucho Amor determined to uncover the real Mercado, a queer Latinx astrologer who Tabsch says made him feel okay to be different growing up. What they found was a person whose life and work transcends rote labels and sexuality. Below, Tabsch spoke with them. about Mercado’s last days, how Water influenced Tabsch’s own sexuality, the hanging ambiguities behind how Walter identified, and more.
What did Walter mean to you growing up as a queer kid?
Kareem Tabsch: I’m a Queer Cuban-Lebanese child of immigrants, growing up in the ‘80s. Our next door neighbors were a queer couple. People never treated them differently explicitly, but there was always that fear, like “don’t get too close, you don’t want that rubbing off on your kids,” or whatever... That’s how people talked about queerness back then.
But then you turn on the TV, and all of the sudden, there’s this fabulous person — I’d never seen anyone before who looked like that. He was happy, powerful, and successful. But most of all, he was loved. My family loved him.
I remember he looked the way I felt. He was different. And I knew I was different too.
Those five-minute appointment viewings were sacred, quiet times. And I thought, if my family could love him the way they did, then they could love me.
Did getting to know Walter change your perception of him?
We came in thinking the Walter we saw on TV was just a persona. But at one point, his niece said, “you don’t get it. The person you see is who he always is. Since childhood.” We realized this was 100% true.
Walter’s grand nephew had a baby during production. They brought the baby to the house, but Walter refused to meet them until he’d done his hair and makeup. He didn’t want the baby to see him not at his best. He always wanted to look the way he felt inside.
He knew his appearance drew people in. And by doing so, he could teach you. It was subversive and brilliant. We took for granted how brilliant he was. He could talk to you about history, religion, astrology, film. He and I developed a film shorthand, quoting talkies. Once he said, “I want to be alone...”, a famous Greta Garbo line, and no one else got it! We shared a lot of private jokes I really loved.
One of our cinematographers is a Babalú-Ayé, a Santeria high priest. And one day, out of nowhere, Walter started talking to him in Yoruba! He was just constantly impressive in that way.
Do you feel his energy changed in his final days?
Not at all. Even on his deathbed, he was talking about what he wanted to do next. The book he was writing, his next trip to Mexico. He was always reading, watching, wanting to converse. And he left no space for negativity. That was one of the hardest things about this film- getting him to talk about the difficult times. I mean, he lost millions of dollars. It was a constant stress for six years! But he didn’t want to dwell on that.
He was just so positive and optimistic. And making you feel better was the most important thing to him. I mean, he loved himself! He had an ego the size of Texas! But he loved you more. And he always let you know that.
Now, that’s not to say he didn’t get bitchy sometimes...
Oh my god, have you seen him shade someone?!
Yes! But it was sneaky. I don’t know if this is public, but he was talking about someone and said: “Sure, I love them! I love them... I love their wife... I love their lover…” And you just had to laugh.
You mentioned talking with him about your sexuality. Can you tell me more about that?
We wanted him to talk about his sexuality, but he gave these really packaged answers that felt empty. I was frustrated.
So I made sure he knew the cameras, the audio equipment, my phone, was out of the room. And I’m like, “look, I have nothing on me. I need you to know this is important. I need you to know what you meant for me.”
I said, “I was a queer kid growing up in Miami. You came on TV and were very clearly yourself. You had this queer energy, and I connected. You allowed me to be myself. It is so important that other people get to feel the same way I felt. Times have changed. I think you’d be embraced. Celebrated, even.”
He said, “you felt a gay energy from me.”
I said, “yes!”
Then he said, “I’ve never talked about this openly... I’ve never felt I had to. I’ve never really wanted to.”
I wish he’d come out to me in that conversation. But he didn’t.
But his niece said something that stuck with me. She said, “you have to be cognizant of that tape that’s put in our brain, programmed from your childhood. These things stay with you.” And I think that’s true. He would hate for me to state his age, but he was 88 when he died. He grew up in the 40s in a super conservative, super Catholic Puerto Rico. And he was different. And with that super machista Latinx culture — Christ! We still carry that around today. Imagine then!
But what he eventually said was, “I was different, and I had to create a famous person inside of me.” I think he was referring to his magic... but also, his queerness.
Now, it’s certainly not my job to out anyone, but theres no doubt in my mind that Walter was queer. Whether or not he was homosexual is different… but he’s loved by our queer community. He challenged masculinity and femininity. Years ago, he said gender is a construct that will not exist in the future. In a way, I think he was protecting himself.
I wish he would have come out though. I think it would’ve been so liberating for him in a way. But he lived his own truth.
And truly... what’s more queer than that?
Exactly! It’s different when you hear about politicians like Aaron Schock, a gay guy who voted against his community at every turn. With Walter, his entire life was about inclusion. So it’s like, OK, maybe you didn’t come out. But you made the world a better place for queer people like me. You’ve inspired us. And I don’t know how much more we could have asked from him.
If you were to have one more night with Walter, what would you do?
I would love to watch the film with him. Actually- I would love to watch him watch the film. I know he’d hate the parts where he didn’t look perfect. But I would love for him to just see it.
Then, I would just talk to him. He wasn’t a big drinker, but I think a night with Walter and a bottle of wine would be the best. He’d talk to you about anything. And if you wanted to talk about it, it was the most interesting subject in the world.
With folks like Chani Nicholas and Astrosagas, do you think Walter’s legacy has held inspiration for the next generation of queer astrologers?
Yes! We interviewed several queer astrologers who didn’t make the film, and they all said Walter was actually their introduction to astrology.
There are a lot of Latinx astrologers and witches in particular, who for such a long time practiced underground. Walter helped bring that to the forefront. And some are really embracing that campy witchiness that Walter opened the door for. He inspired them to be extra! You know, I feel the word “extra” was invented for Walter.
Anything you haven’t addressed that you think is important to discuss?
I’m glad this film makes people happy. That was all Walter wanted, really. There is a lot of complicated shit that goes on in our communities, our country, and our world. And it’s important to talk about that. But it’s also important to leave room for joy. Joy is infectious. And we need it.
Interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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