Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story (2025 Lifetime Movie)
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad): Subscribe to the Lifetime Movie Club
Cast: Jearnest Corchado, Bre-Z, Lisa Lisa
Director: Tailiah Breon
Writer(s): Rebecca Murga
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Now
🍷 Support the show with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
Rescued by Faith Lifetime Movie, Cookies for Breakfast, and True Crime – Lifetime Uncorked
- Rescued by Faith Lifetime Movie, Cookies for Breakfast, and True Crime
- Accused: The Karen Read Story, Katie Cassidy, and Turtleboy?
- It's A Wonderful Lifetime Preview, Brandy Norwood, Vivica A. Fox, and Airplane Movies?
- If I Run Lifetime Movie, Kat Graham, and Prayer Requests?
- Ice Road Killer Lifetime Movie, Christmas Thrillers, and Truckers
- You Better Watch Out, Christmas in July, and Bramblefest?
- The Nanny Sees All 2025 Lifetime Movie, Child Actor of the Year, and Golden Madison?
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
Tells the story of global phenomenon, Lisa Lisa who paved the way for artists like Selena and Jennifer Lopez to shine. As a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl from Hell’s Kitchen, Lisa Velez endured sexism, racism and hid her breast cancer diagnosis to become the first Latina artist to hit multiple music Billboard charts including songs “Can You Feel The Beat,” “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion.” Lisa’s constant companion through her tumultuous ride to the top was her best friend and backup singer, Toni Ménage. Toni’s unwavering support helped Lisa learn how to take control of her professional and personal life. This true-life story of two best friends who refused to allow themselves to be destroyed by the entertainment business is filled with twists and turns and ends triumphantly as the two refused to give up on their dreams.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts in the 1980s on the “streets” of New York. Lisa Lisa dances around with headphones on, decked out in full 80s attire. She uses music as an escape from her rough home life. Lisa Lisa’s abusive father is out of work, leaving Lisa Lisa and her brother to work to pay the rent.
Instead of a traditional job, Lisa Lisa works the street with her friend. (SINGING!) She decides to perform at Teen Night at a local bar and begs her brother to let her give it a shot. At the club, she meets a producer/DJ named Jellybean by sneaking backstage and pretending to be a waitress. She sings for him and impresses him.
The band quickly comes together, and they perform for the record label, where the men seem more interested in Lisa Lisa’s boobs. (She’s fifteen!!) Lisa Lisa signs a shady contract against her mother’s advice and Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam pop off.
The media, of course, focuses more on Lisa Lisa rather than her bandmates, causing bad blood quickly. They decided to add another female singer for their tour, and WHY Lisa Lisa agrees to this, IDK. She needs a companion and advocates for sure because these men keep trying to take advantage of her. It’s vile. Toni joins the band and is absolutely a lesbian.
Lisa Lisa starts seeing the fruits of her labor and buys a car for herself and her mother. She also gets married to a guy named Javi, who seems to be jealous and emasculated by her success. (HE SUCKS!)
Just as her career is taking off, Lisa Lisa gets pregnant. Her husband leaves her, AND she is diagnosed with cancer. Lisa Lisa can’t stop touring, and a cool nurse helps her plan care on the road.
Rumors about Toni being in love with Lisa Lisa and a drug problem jeopardize Toni’s membership in the band. Lisa Lisa and Toni start to argue because Lisa Lisa feels like Toni is overprotective of her.
The band realizes that they signed terrible contracts and want to renegotiate. More red flags are raised when Toni is fired and replaced with a sexier version. Management has complete control over everything.
The movie wraps up pretty abruptly, with Lisa striking out on her own and performing at Radio City Music Hall. We get flashbacks from scenes in the inner cut with a stage performance. Also, there are title cards about Lisa Lisa’s career.
Stray Thoughts
Voices of a Lifetime, but I’m unsure how I feel about this series.
This was a very typical Lifetime Biopic, at least it had the music rights to play some Lisa Lisa songs!
Overall rating
Number of Kills: N/A (0 knives)
Lifetime Tropes: BioPic, Pregnancy, Cancer, Men Suck
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷 (3 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it Up (Give it a shot!)
Put a Cork in it! (Skip it!)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media at @LifetimeUncorked and @patrickmiguel.
Inquiries | podcast@lifetimeuncorked.com
🍾 Your Support is appreciated. Donate today to keep the website going! Thank you.
*Photo Credit: © 2025 A&E Television Networks, LLC
Let me know what you thought of the movie in the comments below or @lifetimeuncorked
