Blame it on the Fame: Milli Vanilli Wondery
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- Society & Culture
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When Frank Farian first laid eyes on Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan, he saw everything he wasn’t. They were handsome, young, and Black. But Frank had something they didn’t. He had power.
So, Frank offered them a devil’s bargain. Almost overnight, Milli Vanilli’s debut album went five times platinum and scored a Grammy nomination. But when the lie at the center of their success started to unravel, Rob and Fab would discover the hard way the difference between star power and real power.
From Wondery, Blame It on the Fame is a story about the lie that shot to #1 and what it cost to tell the truth. Hosted by Amanda Seales.
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I Can Make Something Out of That
When Frank Farian comes across a song with hit potential, he hires Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan. But the opportunity comes with a very big catch.
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Listen With Your Eyes
After Milli Vanilli rockets to the top of the charts, Frank devises a plan to keep them there, but it all depends on Rob and Fab staying on script.
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Sync or Swim
Milli Vanilli’s fake singers head to America for a very real tour.
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Best New Artist
Rob and Fab win a Grammy for Best New Artist — but winning one of music’s top honors means they risk losing it all.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse disorder, reach out for help. In the U.S. you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
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For the Record
After Frank exposes them as frauds, Rob and Fab fight to tell their side of the story.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse disorder, reach out for help. In the U.S. you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
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I Can Still Make Something Out of That
As Rob’s life spirals out of control, he gets a surprising offer…but is it another deal with the devil or is it for real?
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse disorder, reach out for help. In the U.S. you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
Special thanks to Wiedemann & Berg Film, creators of the Milli Vanilli biopic “Girl You Know It’s True.”
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Customer Reviews
Would give it a 5 BUT
Really enjoyed this podcast MINUS the narrator. Narrator sounded so unprofessional. Story telling was off. I always loved Milli Vanilli and supported them throughout the horrible debacle they endured. I always said there was more to it. Anyone young and with ambition would've done the EXACT same thing these young men did. Unfortunately no one advocated for them. May Fab forever RIP
Average
The story is interesting in itself. Narrator is awful and a known racist. And cut out the cursing because that shows that the writing skill is poor.
Fascinating tragic story!
Loved this podcast and learned a lot. Amanda is amazing and a great narrator.