Milli Vanilli's Fab Morvan on Grammy Nomination and Lip-Syncing Scandal
In a remarkable turn of events, Fab Morvan, one half of the infamous pop duo Milli Vanilli, has secured a Grammy nomination for the audiobook of his memoir, "You Know It's True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli." This nomination comes three decades after the duo's 1990 Grammy for Best New Artist was rescinded following revelations that they did not sing on their records.
A Journey from Scandal to Redemption
Morvan, now 59 and living in Amsterdam, speaks candidly about the tumultuous period that defined his early career. "It was an awful experience," he recalls, describing the intense media scrutiny and public backlash that followed the exposure of the lip-syncing scandal. The duo, consisting of Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus, faced class action lawsuits and widespread ridicule after their producer, Frank Farian, admitted they were "non-singing performers."
The press conference in November 1990, where the truth was revealed, remains a painful memory for Morvan. "It felt like we were met by a media lynch mob," he says, reflecting on the baying crowd of journalists who treated the pair like criminals. Pilatus, who never recovered from the scandal, died of an overdose in 1998 at age 33, a tragedy Morvan attributes to a "broken heart" from feeling abandoned.
The Truth Behind the Music
Morvan's memoir delves into the origins of Milli Vanilli, detailing how he and Pilatus, both dancers from impoverished backgrounds, were signed by Farian under a contract they could not fully understand due to language barriers. "I've never received a cent from those millions of records and CDs and tapes that Milli Vanilli sold," Morvan reveals, highlighting the exploitative nature of the music industry at the time.
The duo's rise to fame was meteoric, with three US number one hits and over 37 million singles and albums sold in 1989 alone. However, rumours about their authenticity persisted, culminating in a live MTV concert in Bristol, Connecticut, where a vocal tape malfunction forced them off stage. Despite this, they won the Grammy in 1990, an award Morvan says they never wanted due to the eligibility criteria requiring actual singing.
Reconsideration and Comeback
In recent years, there has been a cultural reassessment of Milli Vanilli, spurred by documentaries and biopics that explore the duo's story with more nuance. Morvan credits this shift in perception with encouraging him to write his memoir. "For the book I went all out because the truth will set you free," he explains, emphasising the therapeutic value of sharing his story.
Today, Morvan owns the rights to the Milli Vanilli name and performs live with a band, singing without backing tapes. He has built a new life in Europe with his partner and four children, focusing on his music and teaching. "I'm not bitter. I feel blessed," he says, reflecting on his journey from scandal to stability.
A Grammy Nomination and Legacy
The 2026 Grammy nomination for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording marks a potential full-circle moment for Morvan. If he wins, it would symbolise one of pop music's most extraordinary resurrections. Regardless of the outcome, Morvan views the nomination as a victory in itself, representing his transformation from a "marionette" controlled by industry forces to an artist in control of his own narrative.
His memoir, co-written with journalist Parisa Rose, serves as both a personal catharsis and a cautionary tale about the ruthlessness of the music business. As Morvan puts it, "People now realise how we went so high then dropped so low." With this nomination, he hopes to inspire others to seek truth and redemption in their own lives.
