Netflix’s sports-centric “Untold” docuseries is set to release its second volume in August, focusing on the bizarre catfishing hoax that snared former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.
Te’o was the face of Notre Dame’s 2012 national championship game-bound team as he put together an impressive individual season for the Fighting Irish. He received significant buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate, the campaign for which was bolstered by the “fact” his grandmother and girlfriend died on the same September day, hours apart.
The only problem: Te’o’s girlfriend didn’t exist. At least, not as he thought she did.
In “Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist,” Te’o reveals in his own words how he became involved with his online girlfriend, who went by Lennay Kekua; his burgeoning doubts as to her identity; and the backlash he received when he was revealed to be the victim of a catfishing hoax.
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As Te’o says in the trailer: “My whole world changed. And I’m questioning everything.”
Here’s everything you need to know about “Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist,” including how to watch and background to the feel-good story-turned-hoax.
Manti Te’o Netflix documentary release date, how to watch
- Release date: Tuesday, Aug. 16
- How to watch: Netflix
The two-part “Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist” will be available to watch on Netflix on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Netflix has three subscription options, with monthly fees of $9.99 (basic), $15.49 (standard) and $19.99 (premium).
Te’o’s story is the first of four “Untold” documentaries that will be released weekly from August into September. Below are the scheduled release dates for the series:
- Tuesday, Aug. 16: “Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist”
- Tuesday, Aug. 23: “Untold: The Rise and Fall of AND1”
- Tuesday, Aug. 30: “Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul”
- Tuesday, Sept. 6: “Untold: The Race of the Century”
What will ‘Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist’ cover?
“The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist” will focus on Te’o’s online relationship with a woman whom he believed was 22-year-old Lennay Kekua during his senior year at Notre Dame. He had an impressive individual season that year, one that was bolstered by what was thought to be a touching story about strength through adversity.
It will also deal with Te’o eventually learning about Kekua’s true identity, and the fallout from a Deadspin article that not only painted an unflattering picture of Te’o as a catfishing victim, but also helped turn his uplifting story into a subject of ridicule for years afterward.
Part of the fallout was that Kekua, fictional or not, played a significant role in his Heisman Trophy campaign that year. Te’o was characterized not only as a tremendous player and the face of one of college football’s blue-blood programs, but also as the good guy of college football — someone who described life with three words: faith, family, football.
Te’o’s story began in earnest over a two-week span in which he had terrific games against Michigan State and Michigan following the recent deaths of his grandmother and girlfriend in September. The eventual Heisman runner-up helped No. 20 Notre Dame upset No. 10 Michigan State 20-3 on the road, finishing the game with 12 tackles, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. The following week, he had two interceptions in a 13-6 win over Michigan.
Te’o’s story only became more pronounced nationally as he racked up more impressive numbers and helped Notre Dame to one of its best seasons in several years.
The only problem: Kekua did not die, nor did she ever exist — at least as Te’o thought she did. While it’s true Te’o’s grandmother, Annette Santiago, died on Sept. 11, 2012, Kekua was merely an online persona created by Ronaiah “Naya” Tuiasosopo, who is very much alive and features in the Netflix documentary.
‘Untold: The Girlfriend who Didn’t Exist’ trailer
Here is the synopsis for the documentary, courtesy of Netflix:
Born into a Hawaiian paradise, All-American football standout Manti Te’o leads a simple life summed up in just three words: faith, family, football. College football’s golden boy could do no wrong, but when tragedy strikes, the increased scrutiny of his online relationship causes a media maelstrom that threatens his future and legacy. Featuring in-depth interviews with Manti Te’o (he/him/his) and the person behind the online identity, Ronaiah ‘Naya’ Tuiasosopo (she/her/hers).
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