7 episodes
Blame it on the Fame: Milli Vanilli Wondery
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
3.7 • 90 Ratings
-
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.
Listen early and ad-free exclusively on Wondery+
-
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Sync or Swim
Milli Vanilli’s fake singers head to America for a very real tour.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
I Can Still Make Something Out of That
This episode comes out for free on 06/03, and is available early and ad-free for Wondery+ subscribers.
Sign up on http://wondery.fm/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.
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.”
Customer Reviews
Great story to hear
But poor narrator.
Finding a way to ruin everything
These more recent podcast are turning each and every story into a race issue no matter how far reaching and people like myself just instantly tune out immediately upon hearing the direction it’s taking.
I predict this type of fad content with continue to extinguish itself and we will eventually get back to decent storytelling without agendas.
Crazy GOOD Podcast
Not only is this amazing and fascinating , as I grew up in the 80’s’!!! But the Narrator is exciting, fun to listen you, and creative in her presentation! So awesome- I encourage all to subscribe!