Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan Reflects on One of Pop’s Biggest Scandals: “We Were Just a Pawn in the Machine”

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As a fan of music history and the enigmatic tales it holds, I can’t help but be captivated by the story of Milli Vanilli. Listening to Fab Morvan recount their journey from Munich to L.A., I am struck by the whirlwind of fame and the industry machinations that they found themselves ensnared in.

Initially, let’s clarify that “Girl You Know It’s Tru” isn’t like the movie version of Milli Vanilli, merely lip-syncing and following the script without adding depth. Instead, this biopic, available on streaming platforms and in certain theaters starting Friday, delves deeper into the intriguing narrative of a significant chapter in pop music history. Surprisingly, it’s more engaging than any Milli Vanilli biopic could realistically aspire to be, earning a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes currently.

Absolutely, credit is due to Fab Morvan, one-half of the charismatic duo that became famous in 1989 with hits like “Girl You Know It’s True” and “Blame It on the Rain”. Among all, he has the most intimate knowledge of this story.

To set the record straight, it’s important to clarify that neither Morvan nor I were the vocalists behind those hit tracks. Frank Farian, a renowned figure in the German disco scene, was the mastermind producing these songs, while American session singers in Munich lent their voices.

Swiftly rising to fame, Pilatus and Morvan’s career peaked and subsequently unraveled, reaching its climax with an incredibly awkward victory at the 1990 Grammy Awards for best new artist (though it appeared that Little Richard was pleased for them). A few days later, they held a press conference where they admitted their transgressions and returned their trophies.

Back in the day, I was Pilatus – a part of the infamous duo Milli Vanilli. Battling addiction was my reality, and it eventually led to my untimely demise in 1998 due to an accidental drug overdose. However, Morvan, now aged 58, chose a different path. He found solace in Amsterdam with his beloved family and learned to accept and even embrace the legacy that Milli Vanilli left behind. Recently, I had the chance to share my story with The Hollywood Reporter – one of Tinseltown’s most iconic publications – as we delve into the cautionary tale that is Hollywood.

Hi, Fab. You look exactly the same. 

In my own journey, music has been a transformative force that not only saved me but also guided me through some of my darkest moments. At first, I resisted the idea of taking care of myself. After all, why should I bother when I had already endured so much? But then, in a moment of clarity, a voice echoed, “Just do it. You are Milli Vanilli.” That phrase resonated with me and gave me the strength to start prioritizing my own well-being. Music has become an integral part of my healing process, providing comfort and motivation when I needed it most. It’s amazing how something as simple as a song can change your perspective and help you navigate life’s challenges.

Do you perform Milli Vanilli songs?

For quite some time now, I’ve been collaborating with John Davis, a founding member of Milli, who tragically passed away due to COVID-19 complications in 2021. After taking on the role as musical director, I gathered the band, background singers, and rehearsed tirelessly. Before long, we were performing at festivals across Europe. Now, I’m absolutely thrilled because our movie is about to premiere, giving audiences an opportunity to step into Rob and Fab’s footsteps and grasp that not everything was planned by us alone.

It appears that investigative journalism, the commitment to scrutinize every individual without bias, has seemingly vanished. This disappearance isn’t a coincidence; it was prevented by influential figures like Arista and Clive Davis, the music industry magnates. They held too much power, so challenging them could lead to professional consequences within this industry. I personally experienced this form of retaliation, known as blacklisting. These individuals made over $300 million in just two years with Milli Vanilli, which suggests that their influence was significant enough to suppress any questioning of their actions.

How much money did you and Rob make off Milli Vanilli?

In essence, I’ll argue they delivered nothing because I wasn’t compensated for my work. I attempted to take legal action against Frank, but it yielded no results. To this very day, I receive no money from the YouTube earnings of “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You” (240 million views) or “Girl You Know It’s True” (180 million views).

You never got a percentage of the record sales?

Perhaps initially, during the first half a year, we lacked legal counsel or guidance from management. There was nobody present when we finalized our agreements.

The film effectively stirs up feelings of empathy for both you and Rob, and their friendship is deeply moving; it endured all the way to his passing.

Upon arriving in Germany, I wasn’t fluent in German, which made me vulnerable. However, Rob acted as a barrier between me and potential exploitation. Many people tried to take advantage of me, offering low payments for performances that should have been worth 200 Euros. But Rob wouldn’t allow it. He stood up for me, and over time, since he was two years my senior, he became more like an older brother to me as we grew together.

In my fandom journey, it was Milli Vanilli where Rob took center stage as the vocalist. Consequently, he found himself weaving those untruths, given our duo act. Beyond that, Rob was an adopted child who spent his early years in an orphanage. His past bore a unique set of experiences distinct from mine. He yearned for love, and when that affection began to wane, the emptiness within him resurfaced. This void he felt grew deeper, leading him to lean heavily on drugs as a means of escape. His despair reached such a critical point that one fateful night, Rob stood precariously on the balcony of the Mondrian Hotel, contemplating taking his life. In truth, this act was a desperate plea for help.

There’s a lot of drugs in the film. Did you get caught up in drugs, too?

I carried out the task, but it impaired my performance capabilities, so I decided against continuing. As a young sportsman, I felt this wasn’t suitable for me. I aim for excellence. My greatest joy came from being on stage.

“Man, your outfit really caught my eye, particularly those shoulder pads – they made it seem like I was watching a pair of triangles in action! Who came up with this unique design?”

I hail from France and have always been captivated by fashion. There was a man named Klaus Nomi, a German opera singer known for his unique structural jackets. I found them quite stylish. So, we enhanced the shoulder pads on our jackets, making them even more prominent. It felt trendy. The look was all ours, as we handled the styling aspects. Everything from hair to clothing was our creation.

In the movie, there’s a moment when you’re examining a bulletin board filled with various rock legends. You ask Rob, “What catches your eye about them? It’s their iconic hairstyles.” Afterwards, you sport long hair yourself. Is this event depicted in the film based on a true story?

Essentially, what I’m saying is, I took creative liberties with the story. Originally, we spent Christmas evening watching a BBC documentary showcasing popular music stars, focusing on their fame. It was then that we noticed Marlon Monroe had distinctive hairstyles. I associate The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and others with their unique hairdos. John Travolta’s character in the film “Grease” is also memorable for his hair. So, we decided to get braids, and within just two weeks, people at clubs were envious, but women found it appealing: “I love it. It suits you well.” We gained a positive response from this change.

Was the hair extensions or was it your real hair?

Initially, I wore wigs, later opting for a bald look in my later years. You see, I was trying to distance myself from Milli Vanilli. However, when the opportunity arose for me to perform those songs again, I thought it might be fun. So, I let my hair grow into dreadlocks this time, choosing not to use any artificial additions.

How did you guys learn to lip-sync? Because you did it very, very well.

You might recall the origins of our collaboration on “Girl You Know It’s True”. When Frank handed us the track, Rob suggested I handle the verses while he took care of the chorus. This is how we split the work, and we consistently followed through with these roles. I was the rapper, with Rob being the urban influence. The rapping portion required a great deal of effort. My aim was to excel at it, as I didn’t want to appear unprepared.

Did you ever make peace with Frank or talk to him after Milli Vanilli imploded?

Instead, I chose to forgive Frank internally, letting go of any harmful thoughts that were weighing me down and draining my energy. This allowed me to communicate more effectively afterwards.

“I’ve got to say, he ain’t exactly a stand-up character. Seems like he never owned up to the consequences of his actions or the events that unfolded.”

Absolutely never. He never performed an apology, nor did he indicate regret. Not a soul stepped forward to admit wrongdoing. The same held true within the record label; no one ever owned up to their actions, either. They pocketed the funds. To this day, when the executives at the label are questioned, it’s difficult for them to confess: “Yes, we were aware. Everyone was aware.” They can’t bring themselves to admit it because they remain loyal to the past power structure.

So Clive Davis knew as well?

Absolutely! Arriving in America, we were well aware of the curious glances directed our way. There was often a moment of surprise, as if to say, “We didn’t expect you to sound quite like this.” I could sense that reaction. It was understood by everyone, including Clive Davis, but they believed it would be a massive success, much like hot pancakes.

As a seasoned music industry veteran with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the rise and fall of Milli Vanilli was one of the most fascinating events I have witnessed in this ever-changing world of music. Having started my career as a struggling artist myself, I remember the excitement and anticipation surrounding their meteoric rise to fame.

Back in the day, I wasn’t the sole European performer embroiled in a lip-sync controversy. The group Black Box (“Strike It Up”) had a model mimicking Martha Wash’s vocals on stage instead of her own.

The strategy used was to target the American market by assembling a group of attractive performers from Europe and pairing them with a retired or less prominent American or English singer. This was before the era of Auto-Tune, so live vocals were essential for success. Following our group came acts like Mary J. Blige and Boys II Men, who were told they needed to sing authentically, no lip-syncing allowed. Nowadays, with advancements in AI and Auto-Tune, there’s a shift back towards the idea that singing skills aren’t as important, since technology can handle most of the vocal work.

What are your memories of coming to L.A. from Munich?

Wow, let me share something with you – at Bar Marmont and Roxbury, those hotspots, I crossed paths with so many folks. Names like Axl Rose and Rod Stewart were in the mix. Incredible! David Lee Roth even said to me, “Hey man, I dig your style, pal.” You know, I borrowed a move from Van Halen videos, where he’d kick his leg high. We spent time with Sam Kinison too. Can you believe it? Sam Kinison was such a cool guy at China Club. It was all warmth and camaraderie. Though they probably understood the situation, they’d just shrug and say, “It’s the business.” I mean, what else can you say? We were all aware that we were merely pieces in this grand machine. “Good luck, and I hope you make it through this one.”

Did you participate in The Arsenio Hall Show? I recall a moment when he was criticizing Milli Vanilli, if my memory serves me right.

Absolutely, he’d often say rude things. He exposed secrets about others, just like “In Living Color.” Then, Arsenio offered us a chance. He said, “We’ll promote you for a month. After 30 days, let’s see what you’re capable of.” He invited us for an interview and live performance. We excelled, particularly me. Rob wasn’t feeling well at the time, and he questioned whether we should do it. I convinced him, saying, “We need to do this. We’ve worked hard on those songs, created the album. Let’s show the world what we can do.” That episode turned out to be one of Arsenio’s highest-rated shows.

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2024-08-09 01:26