“Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story” is an upcoming movie about the life of Lisa Velez, who is better known as Lisa Lisa, a key figure in Latin pop music. The film will air on Lifetime on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8/7c. The story follows 15-year-old Puerto Rican Lisa Velez as she faces and overcomes obstacles like sexism, racism, and breast cancer. Along the way, she becomes a trailblazer in Latin pop music, known for songs like “Can You Feel the Beat,” and inspires future generations of Latina artists.
The movie stars Jearnest Corchado as Lisa Velez, with Bre-Z playing Toni Ménage and Matt Borlenghi as Barry Conner. The film is directed by Tailiah Breon and the script is written by Rebecca Murga. Now, let’s take a look at the filming locations for Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story.
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story Plot Summary
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story takes viewers through the life of Lisa Velez, a young Puerto Rican girl from Hell’s Kitchen, New York, who became an international music star. The story starts with Lisa at 15, dreaming big and singing and dancing to make a name for herself in music. After her big break with the 1985 hit “Can You Feel the Beat,” Lisa’s journey to fame is filled with challenges. She faces racism, sexism, and a breast cancer diagnosis—but she stays strong and keeps going in her career.
The film shows how Lisa Lisa made history as the first Latina artist to reach the Billboard charts, all while balancing her personal life and career in a tough industry. Throughout her struggles, Lisa keeps going, teaching the world how to face difficulties head-on. From performing on stage to dealing with personal challenges, the movie tells the true, powerful story of a woman who overcame the odds and succeeded.
Where was ‘Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story’ Filmed?
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story movie was filmed mainly in New York City, where Lisa Velez grew up. The movie focuses on her journey from Hell’s Kitchen to becoming a global star. The production worked hard to accurately show the settings that influenced her early life and career.
Hell’s Kitchen, New York City
Hell’s Kitchen, known for its deep Puerto Rican roots, was the perfect setting to show the young Lisa Lisa’s upbringing. The neighborhood’s lively streets, diverse people, and close-knit community played a key role in telling her story. “Filming in Hell’s Kitchen was really important for us. It’s where Lisa’s story started, and we wanted to make sure we showed the true essence of her beginnings,” says director Tailiah Breon.
“New York wasn’t just a place for the movie—it felt like a character on its own. It holds so many of Lisa’s early challenges and victories,” says producer Lisa Velez, pointing out how important it was to film in this iconic area.
Puerto Rican Community Locations in New York
Besides Hell’s Kitchen, we also filmed in other parts of New York with large Puerto Rican communities to capture the true essence of Lisa’s cultural background. These areas helped bring the story to life, showing how important her heritage was in shaping her career.
“We wanted to film in places that really felt like home to Lisa, where she felt a deep connection to her roots,” explains producer Lisa Velez. “These locations allowed us to tell the story of Lisa’s journey as a Latina artist and highlight the pride she has for her Puerto Rican heritage.”
When Did the Filming of ‘Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story‘ Take Place?
The Filming of “Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story” movie was started in early 2024 and most of the movie was filmed in New York City. The team worked for months to capture important moments from Lisa Lisa’s life and career, making sure every detail was true to the era and culture.
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story Cast Details
- Jearnest Corchado as Lisa Lisa (Lisa Velez)
- Bre-Z as Toni Ménage (Lisa’s Best Friend)
- Angie Martinez as Toni’s mentor
- Matt Borlenghi as Barry Conner (Manager)
- Erika Valente as Lisa’s mother
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story Official Trailer
The official trailer for Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story gives audiences a sneak peek into the amazing life of this iconic artist. It shows her journey to stardom as well as the challenges she faced, highlighting the intense emotions and key moments that will make you excited for the movie’s release.
Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story Filming Locations captures the heart of Lisa Lisa’s life by using New York City and its Puerto Rican neighborhoods as important settings for her story. The film will debut on Lifetime on February 1, 2025, and is expected to make a lasting impression as it tells the inspiring journey of one of Latin music’s most pioneering artists.
See Also: I’m Still Here Filming Locations (2024) – A Docudrama Film
