Paramount+’s Milli Vanilli | What is Paramount+’s new doco about and who were Milli Vanilli?

Long before Ashlee Simpson was humiliated in front of an audience on ‘Saturday Night Live’ after the wrong ‘backing track’ played during her performance, there were two other musicians who experienced the same issue during one of their live performances. Unlike Simpson, their careers ended in what felt like an instant, with a memorable press conference that people of a certain age will remember and a question from one of the artists if they had to hand their awards back.

Paramount+ are set to release a documentary on the meteoric rise and Icarus-like fall from grace of late ‘80s pop duo Milli Vanilli, with the documentary of the same name looking into what exactly happened that led to Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan turning from Grammy award-winning artists to a long-running punchline for US pop culture and a cautionary tale on perhaps the importance of a proper sound check before a show.

Rather than the punching down that the pair received even after they admitted their duplicity, the documentary looks to portray the pair in a more sensitive light. Perhaps owing to how much more we know about the darker side of the pop industry, then certainly the question posed in a review by The Hollywood Reporter is a poignant one in retrospect: “Were they perpetrators or victims? If they were some gradation of the latter, who were the actual villains? If they were some gradation of the former, did the punishment fit the crime? What did Rob and Fab actually do, what was their actual sin and why did audiences respond the way they did?”

Helmed by Luke Korem, the director behind the SXSW award-winning documentary ‘Dealt,’ regarding the life and career of Richard Turner - who is renowned as one of the world's greatest card magicians, yet he is completely blind - ‘Milli Vanilli’ has earned a certified fresh rating so far on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 100% from 14 views.

But who were Milli Vanilli, and what happened to them after the ruse came apart in such spectacular fashion one fateful gig on 21 July 1989?

What is ‘Milli Vanilli’ about?

“Telling the story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, who became superstars fast in the late Eighties. Their first album, “Girl You Know It’s True”, went platinum six times in 1989 and sold over 30 million singles worldwide. However, their ascension to success came with a devastating price.” 

“Featuring exclusive interviews with Rob and Fab, plus the real singers, record executives, as well as Timbaland, Diane Warren, and the producer mastermind behind the con, Frank Farian”

Who were Milli Vanilli?

Milli Vanilli was a pop music duo composed of Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, known for their catchy tracks and captivating performances in the late 1980s. The story of Milli Vanilli is one of the most infamous chapters in the history of the music industry, characterized by scandal, controversy, and a tragic downfall.

The origins of the duo began when Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan crossed paths during a dance seminar in Munich. They quickly connected over their shared experiences growing up in different European cities and shared aspirations for stardom. Despite their initial struggles with poverty, their determination led them to form their own musical act and record an album for a small German label.

Their big break came when music producer Frank Farian discovered their talent and signed them to a contract. Farian took control of their debut album, ‘Girl You Know It's True,’ which propelled the duo to global fame. The album became a massive success, earning them a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1990 and several American Music Awards.

However, their rapid rise to fame was soon overshadowed by controversy. During a live performance for MTV on July 21 1989, a technical issue caused their song ‘Girl You Know It's True’ to skip and repeat the same line, revealing that they were not singing live. This incident raised questions about the authenticity of their performances and the vocals on their recordings.

As a result, it was revealed that the voices on their hit records were not theirs, but rather those of various studio musicians, including Charles Shaw, John Davis, Brad Howell, and sisters Jodie and Linda Rocco. Music producer Frank Farian, who had discovered the duo and had them sign a contract, was responsible for the fabrication.  

Consequently, Frank Farian was compelled to acknowledge the truth and admit that Pilatus and Morvan had not provided any vocals on their records.  The revelation of their lip-syncing deception led to widespread backlash, legal battles, and the eventual stripping of their Grammy Award. The duo faced numerous lawsuits and public scrutiny with a press conference taking place when the duo were stripped of their Grammys. 

It was also during this press conference when they admitted what they were tasked to do that Pilatus uttered the now memorable line in front of the gathered press - “Do I have to return these now?”

In the aftermath, the duo attempted several comebacks under different names, including The Real Milli Vanilli and Try 'N' B, although their efforts were met with mixed success. Tragically, Rob Pilatus struggled with personal issues, leading to his untimely death in 1998 due to an accidental overdose.

When is ‘Milli Vanilli’ on Paramount+?

‘Milli Vanilli’ is streaming now on Paramount+ (a subscription is required)