Lifetime continues its foray into musical biopics with Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story, chronicling the rise of the 80s pop sensation and her band, Cult Jam.
The film, part of Lifetime’s “Voices of a Lifetime” series, isn’t just a standard biopic cash grab. Lisa Velez (aka Lisa Lisa) herself is deeply involved, serving as executive producer and even taking on the role of her own mother, which adds a, shall we say, unique familial dimension to the production.
Jearnest Corchado steps into Velez’s iconic high-tops as the young Lisa, while Bre Z portrays bandmate Toni Ménage. The supporting cast also includes NYC radio personality Angie Martinez as Nurse Rodriguez, proving that even biopics need their share of stunt casting.
The project, officially authorized by Velez, aims to capture the infectious energy of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam’s music and the struggles they faced on their path to stardom. Expect plenty of 80s nostalgia, big hair, and, naturally, some dramatic recreations of their signature dance moves.
The news, first revealed by Lifetime in October 2024, is likely to pique the interest of not only fans of the band but also those with an affinity for vintage synthesizers and the era of brightly colored leg warmers. Whether the film will offer a warts-and-all portrait of the artist or a more sanitized version of events will, of course, be a key factor in its critical reception.
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story premieres at 8:00PM Saturday, February 1, 2025, on Lifetime.