GIRL, YOU KNOW ITS TRUE (2023)
For his next project, the successful music producer Frank Farian (Matthias Schweighöfer) hires the dancers Rob Pilatus (Tijan Njie) and Fab Morvan (Elan Ben Ali) and helps the two friends to a meteoric rise. Under the name Milli Vanilli, Rob and Fab storm the international charts, land three number one hits in the USA and enjoy the dissolute life in Hollywood. Only a small circle of insiders knows their secret: the duo do not sing themselves, but only move their lips – to the voices of the real singers. At the height of their fame, Rob and Fab even win the Grammy, but the situation behind the scenes becomes increasingly tense and Milli Vanilli threatens to become the biggest scandal in music history. Not only the truth is at stake, but also the friendship of the two…
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THE STORY OF MILLI VANILLI
1987
“Girl, You Know It’s True”
“Girl, You Know It’s True” was written by Maryland-based group Numarx (Bill Pettaway Jr., Sean “DJ Spen” Spencer, Kevin Liles, Rodney “Kool Rod” Holloman and Ky Adeyemo) and released on their album “Our Time Has Come”
1987
Empire Bizarre
Rob and Fab’s band Empire Bizarre release single “Dansez!”
1988
Recordings
Frank Farian had singers John Davis, Brad Howell, Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco and Charles Shaw record the vocals of what would eventually become the worldwide hit “Girl, You Know It’s True”
1988
Performers
As Rob and Fab became famous in the Munich breakdancing scene, Frank Farian signed them to a contract to became what the world would later know as “Milli Vanilli”
1988
Debut Single “Girl, You Know It’s True”
Milli Vanilli releases debut single “Girl, You Know It’s True”. The song reached #1 in the German, Austrian and Spanish Charts; #2 in the US Charts and #3 in the UK Charts
1988
#1 “Baby Don’t Forget My Number”
Milli Vanilli releases the single “Baby Don’t Forget My Number”. The song reached #1 in the US Charts.
1988
Album “All or Nothing”
Milli Vanilli releases debut album “All or Nothing” under German label Hansa. The album was certified Golden in Germany, Silver in the UK and Platinum in New Zealand for its sales.
1989
US Single “Blame It on the Rain”
Milli Vanilli releases the single “Blame It on the Rain” through the US label Arista records.
1989
US Album “Girl, You Know It’s True”
Milli Vanilli releases a US version of their debut album under the name “Girl, You Know It’s True” including additional US exclusives. The album was certified 6x Platinum in US and Diamond in Canada for its sales.
1989
#1 “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”
Milli Vanilli releases the single “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”. The song reached #1 in the US, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands and Austrian Charts; #2 in the UK and German Charts #3 in the Australian Charts.
1989
MTV Festival in Bristol, Connecticut: Playback malfunction
Playback malfunctioned while performing at MTV Festival in Bristol, Connecticut and some rumours that the band was lip-syncing started being spread.
1990
Grammy for “Best New Artist”
Milli Vanilli wins a Grammy for “Best New Artist”
1990
Frank Farian Press Conference
Frank Farian’s hosted a press conference explaining Rob and Fab never sang in the Milli Vanilli project and introducing the singers and reasoning behind this choice
1990
Return of the Grammy
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences asks Milli Vanilli to return their Grammy Award
1990
Media & Fans
Strong backlash from the media and fans
1991
Album “The Moment of Truth”
The second Milli Vanilli album “The Moment of Truth” was released as The Real Milli Vanilli, featuring original members Brad Howell, John Davis, Linda Rocco and Jodie Rocco, and two new members Gina Mohammed and Ray Horton as performers.
