Milli Vanilli’s rise to fame and dramatic downfall is hitting the big screen. The biopic Girl You Know It’s True reveals the “meteoric rise and tabloid-fueled fall” of the iconic ’80s duo. Directed by Simon Verhoeven, the film highlights their journey and the infamous scandal that ended their career.
The Milli Vanilli Story
Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli achieved massive success with hits like “Girl You Know It’s True” and “Blame It on the Rain.” These songs topped charts and brought them international fame. However, the duo’s glory was short-lived. It was uncovered that they had been lip-syncing, with other artists providing the vocals. This revelation led to the Recording Academy revoking their Best New Artist Grammy.
In the film, Tijan Njie portrays Pilatus and Elan Ben Ali plays Morvan. Matthias Schweighöfer stars as music producer Frank Farian, while Graham Rogers and Bella Dayne also feature in the cast. Morvan, now 58, contributed as a consultant and co-producer for the project. Pilatus, who passed away in 1998 at age 33, is represented by his sister Carmen Pilatus, an associate producer.
The actual singers behind Milli Vanilli’s hits, John Davis and Brad Howell, are integral to the story. Howell is an associate producer, and Jasmin Davis, daughter of the late John Davis, also contributes. Tony Piantedosi, SVP of acquisitions for the film’s distributor, Vertical, expressed excitement about the film’s release. “We are excited to release this film that delves into the true story behind the success and controversy surrounding Milli Vanilli’s legacy,” he said.
Piantedosi praised Verhoeven’s direction, stating, “Simon has created a remarkable story with the collaboration of people who lived through the ordeal. It is a rare treat to pull back the curtain and show audiences the real story behind the shocking headlines.”
Girl You Know It’s True will be in theaters on August 9, offering an in-depth look at Milli Vanilli’s tumultuous journey from stardom to scandal.