Jearnest Corchado
Lisa Velez
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story
“Tells the story of global phenomenon, Lisa Lisa.”
2025
1h 28m
Director: Tailiah Breon
Overview
15-year-old Puerto Rican Lisa Velez overcomes sexism, racism, and breast cancer to become Latin pop pioneer behind hits like "Can You Feel The Beat," inspiring generations of Latina artists.
Cast
10 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Beat That Almost Wasn’t
I kept waiting for the movie to remember it was about Lisa Lisa. Not in the sense that it forgot to include her—Jearnest Corchado is on screen for most of the 88 minutes, lip-syncing to the hits, signing contracts, and wincing through chemo—but in the way the camera kept drifting toward the people around her. The backup singer Toni Ménage, played with quiet fire by Bre-Z, gets whole scenes of her own: crying in a dressing room, confronting a sleazy producer, even a slow-motion walk down a hospital corridor that feels lifted from a different, better movie.
By the third act, I found myself wondering if the film’s real subject was the friendship between these two women, and if so, why it had spent so much time pretending to be a traditional rise-and-fall biopic.
That tension—between what the movie wants to be and what it actually is—defines Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. It’s a Lifetime TV movie about a Latina pop pioneer, but it’s also a story about the people who held her up when the industry tried to knock her down. The problem is that it can’t decide which story to tell, so it splits the difference, leaving both narratives half-finished.
The film opens with a burst of energy: a 15-year-old Lisa Velez (Corchado) singing in her Hell’s Kitchen bedroom, her voice already bigger than the room. The camera lingers on her hands, her fingers snapping to the beat, and for a moment, it feels like we’re about to see something rare—a biopic that understands its subject’s artistry isn’t just a backdrop but the whole point. Then the scene cuts to a record executive telling her, “You’re too young, too brown, too female,” and the movie settles into the familiar rhythm of obstacles overcome.
The racism, the sexism, the breast cancer diagnosis—all of it is here, but none of it is given the space to breathe. The film moves so quickly from one crisis to the next that the emotional beats start to feel like items on a checklist.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A heartfelt tribute to Lisa Lisa’s legacy that resonates most with longtime fans of her music."
Viewers appreciate the film’s dedication to chronicling Lisa Lisa’s rise in the 1980s music scene, praising its nostalgic energy and the lead performance for capturing her spirit. However, some find the storytelling uneven, latestnetflix.com contends, with pacing issues and a lack of depth in exploring her personal struggles beyond her public persona.
What viewers praise
- Nostalgic appeal Evokes the vibrant energy of 1980s music culture, resonating strongly with fans of the era.
- Strong lead performance Jearnest Corchado’s portrayal of Lisa Lisa is widely praised for its authenticity and charisma.
- Musical highlights The soundtrack and performance scenes effectively showcase Lisa Lisa’s impact on the freestyle genre.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing Some scenes drag, while key moments in Lisa Lisa’s career feel rushed or glossed over.
- Lack of depth Struggles to delve deeply into Lisa Lisa’s personal life, leaving her story feeling somewhat surface-level.
- Supporting cast underused Side characters, including band members and family, lack development and screen time.
Recommended for
Lisa Lisa fans 1980s music enthusiasts Freestyle genre lovers Biopic viewers Nostalgia seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Rise and Resilience Behind Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story
Lifetime’s upcoming biopic Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story (2025) is set to bring the trailblazing journey of Lisa Velez—better known as Lisa Lisa—to the screen with a mix of musical energy and raw drama. Directed by Tailiah Breon, the film chronicles the Puerto Rican-American singer’s rise from a 15-year-old Bronx native to a Latin-freestyle icon, all while battling sexism, racism, and a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis 
. But behind the scenes, the production is already generating buzz for its casting choices, emotional depth, latestnetflix.com contends, and the real-life struggles it aims to portray.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings Lisa Lisa’s Story to Life
The film’s ensemble cast is a blend of rising talent and seasoned actors, with Jearnest Corchado stepping into the titular role of Lisa Lisa. Corchado, known for her work in The Chi and Power Book II: Ghost, will carry the weight of Velez’s early career, including her breakthrough with hits like "Can You Feel the Beat" and "I Wonder If I Take You Home" . Bre-Z (All American, The Chi) and Angie Martinez (The Angie Martinez Show) round out the supporting cast, with Martinez likely playing a mentor or industry figure in Velez’s life .
One of the most intriguing casting choices is Isaias Alexander Miranda, who portrays Lisa Lisa’s best friend—a pivotal figure in her journey, according to Netflix’s description of the film . The dynamic between the two is expected to be a central emotional thread, especially as Velez navigates her cancer diagnosis and the pressures of the music industry. Meanwhile, Matt Borlenghi (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Donny Carrington (The Haves and the Have Nots) add veteran gravitas to the project, though their specific roles remain under wraps .
From Bronx Struggles to Freestyle Royalty
Lisa Lisa’s story is one of resilience. Born Lisa Velez in 1966, she became a defining voice in the Latin-freestyle movement of the 1980s, blending hip-hop, R&B, and dance music into a sound that dominated clubs and radio. The film zeroes in on her early years, including her debut at just 15 with the group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, produced by Full Force . Her hits, like "Head to Toe" and "Lost in Emotion," became anthems, but the biopic promises to show the personal cost behind the fame—including the racism and sexism she faced in a male-dominated industry .
Perhaps the most harrowing chapter of her life was her battle with breast cancer in the early 2000s. The film doesn’t shy away from this period, depicting how Velez fought the disease while maintaining her career . Sources suggest the movie will balance her musical triumphs with these darker moments, offering a fuller portrait of a woman who refused to let adversity define her.
A Musical Biopic with Heart—and Controversy?
While the film has yet to premiere, early details hint at a production that aims to honor Lisa Lisa’s legacy without sugarcoating her struggles. However, some fans have already raised questions about creative liberties. For instance, the Netflix description mentions a "best friend" figure who was by Velez’s side during her cancer battle, but real-life accounts of her support system are less documented . Whether this character is a composite or based on a real person remains unclear.
Another point of curiosity is the film’s tone. Lifetime biopics often lean into melodrama, and Can You Feel the Beat appears to follow suit, with its focus on Velez’s personal and professional battles . Yet, the inclusion of her music—including the titular "Can You Feel the Beat"—suggests a vibrant, soundtrack-driven experience that could appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers .
What’s Next for the Film?
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story premiered on Lifetime on February 1, 2025, and is now streaming on Netflix . While the film hasn’t yet generated major awards buzz, its subject matter and cast could spark conversations about representation in music biopics. If early reactions are any indication, it may also reignite interest in Lisa Lisa’s catalog, introducing her sound to a new generation.
For now, the movie stands as a tribute to a woman who broke barriers in an industry that wasn’t always ready for her. Whether it strikes the right balance between celebration and hardship remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Lisa Lisa’s beat is far from forgotten.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.