logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
4m 16s

Listen Now: Blame it on the Fame: Milli ...

Wondery
About this episode

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+: Wondery.fm/BIOTF_MV

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Nov 24
Listen Now: Business Wars | The Race to Ozempic
<p>Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies an ... Show More
4m 3s
Mar 2025
Listen Now: Scam Factory
You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But t ... Show More
6m 30s
Nov 10
New Season: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast
<p>Grinch is back and jollier than NEVER! Whoville’s sassiest late-night talk show host returns for season 3 with more sharp-tongued monologues about everything nipping at his nose this holiday season, his signature brand of merry mischief, and a fete of festive banter, determine ... Show More
6m 20s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Listen Now: Blame it on the Fame: Milli Vanilli
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 ... Show More
4m 22s
Feb 2024
Introducing - Blame It on the Fame: Milli Vanilli
A German producer offers two young Black performers a devil’s bargain: if they tell one little lie, he can make them stars. But when the group achieves stardom on a scale no one expected, the lie begins to unravel in the most spectacular fashion in front of the entire world. From ... Show More
2m 15s
Feb 2024
Milli Vanilli: Girl You Know Everybody Lip Syncs with Demi Adejuyigbe and Moshe Kasher | 23
<p>In 1989, a hot new duo took the world by storm. With their sexy looks, enigmatic accents, and flashy moves, Rob and Fab of Milli Vanilli became bonafide breakout stars. But thanks to a controlling producer, the artists were forced to fake the funk and didn't sing a single note ... Show More
43m 42s
Dec 2023
Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith | 13
<p>When Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid signed up to promote a scorching new music festival, they had no idea the flaming mess they were really in for. Entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule collabed on the notorious Fyre Festival, a disaster that cost mil ... Show More
42m 2s
Jan 2018
Migos Interview and Grammy's Recap
<p>Monday 1/29- Today on the show we had the Migos stop by where they spoke about their new album and lets just say we attempted to address the rumors and allegations. Also, after a big night at the Grammy's and Jay-Z not winning any Grammy we opened up the phone lines to see wha ... Show More
1h 12m