Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story - to Premiere on Lifetime' Original Movie Sat., Feb. 1 at 8/7c

Lifetime is set to honor the remarkable journey of 80s music icon Lisa Velez, famously known as Lisa Lisa, with the upcoming biopic Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. The highly anticipated film is scheduled to debut on Saturday, February 1, at 8 p.m. ET, offering an intimate portrayal of the Puerto Rican singer’s meteoric rise to stardom and her struggles along the way.

As the lead vocalist of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Velez became a global sensation, breaking barriers as the first Latina artist to top multiple Billboard charts. The film’s trailer, recently unveiled by the network, teases her inspirational journey from a determined 15-year-old girl in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen to a groundbreaking artist whose hits defined a generation.

The biopic stars Jearnest Corchado (Little America) as the young Lisa Lisa, capturing her early aspirations and unrelenting drive to succeed. Bre-Z (Empire) portrays Toni Ménage, Lisa’s best friend and creative partner, while celebrated radio personality Angie Martinez appears as Nurse Rodriguez. Notably, Lisa Lisa herself makes an appearance in the film, adding authenticity and a personal touch.

The trailer shines a light on pivotal moments in Velez’s career, including her struggles with racism and sexism in the music industry and her breakthrough success with hits such as “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion.” It also delves into her more personal battles, including a breast cancer diagnosis she kept secret while continuing to tour.

One of the trailer’s defining moments features Bre-Z’s character offering a stark warning: “The music business isn’t going to be what you think it is. It’s going to try and take a piece of you.” The line underscores the immense challenges Velez faced while navigating an industry that often sought to exploit her talent.

Directed by Tailiah Breon and written by Rebecca Murga, Can You Feel the Beat is part of Lifetime’s 2025 Voices of a Lifetime slate, which highlights diverse and groundbreaking stories. The film is produced by Swirl Films, with an impressive roster of executive producers including Lisa Velez herself, Toni Ménage, Tracy Byrd, Abbey Sibucao, Ron Robinson, and Eric Tomosunas. The cast also includes Matt Borlenghi, Maurice P. Kerry, Donny Carrington, Angie Martinez, and Alijah Kai.

This powerhouse team has crafted a biopic that not only celebrates Lisa Lisa’s musical legacy but also explores her resilience, friendships, and her fight against an industry that often tried to silence her voice.

Lisa Lisa’s story transcends music. It is a tale of overcoming adversity, defying expectations, and paving the way for future generations of Latinx artists. In a candid 2024 interview on The Tamron Hall Show, Velez reflected on her decision to keep her breast cancer diagnosis private during the height of her career. “It was really, really hard,” she admitted. “I didn’t know what to do, who to speak to. But I had bills to pay, and I kept going.”

Her resilience inspired not just fans but also stars like Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez, who have credited Velez as a trailblazer for Latinx representation in mainstream pop music.

With a soundtrack that shaped an era and a deeply personal narrative of triumph over adversity, Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story promises to be more than just a biopic. It is a celebration of a cultural icon whose music and legacy continue to resonate across generations.

Lifetime’s tribute to Lisa Lisa is a powerful reminder of her impact—not just as an artist, but as a symbol of perseverance and hope for anyone striving to make their mark against the odds. As the film premieres, viewers will be reminded of the undeniable influence of an artist who dared to dream and inspired countless others to do the same.

Make sure to see Lisa Lisa on Tour in 2025 as she celebrates 40-years of entertaining the World! A true pioneer for the ages~ Lamont Renzo Bracy