Blame it on the Fame: Milli Vanilli

Wondery

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 to Blame It on the Fame on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/blame-it-on-the-fame/ now.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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Introducing - Blame It on the Fame: Milli Vanilli

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 Wondery comes Blame It on the Fame: Milli Vanilli, a story about the lie that shot to #1 and what it cost to tell the truth. Hosted by Amanda Seales. Listen exclusively on Wondery+ beginning February 12th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodios

Introducing - Blame It on the Fame: Milli Vanilli

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 Wondery comes Blame It on the Fame: Milli Vanilli, a story about the lie that shot to #1 and what it cost to tell the truth. Hosted by Amanda Seales. Listen exclusively on Wondery+ beginning February 12th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Can Make Something Out of That | 1

I Can Make Something Out of That | 1

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 | 2

Listen With Your Eyes | 2

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 | 3

Sync or Swim | 3

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 | 4

Best New Artist | 4

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 | 5

For the Record | 5

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 | 6

I Can Still Make Something Out of That | 6

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

Girl You Know It’s True | 7

Girl You Know It’s True | 7

In this special episode, Aricia Skidmore-Williams speaks with director-writer Simon Verhoeven and actor Tijan Njie about the making of the Milli Vanilli biopic “Girl You Know It’s True” and why we love to watch our idols fall.Special thanks to Wiedemann & Berg Film, creators of the Milli Vanilli biopic “Girl You Know It’s True.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.