Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin will be among the first stars featured in Paramount+’s revival of Behind the Music, the doc TV series that for more than a decade and a half chronicled the story of America’s pop music on the music video cable channel VH1. The reimagined series will debut July 29.
“The groundbreaking and prolific music documentary series returns with several new episodes and the best of the vault remastered and updated for today’s audiences featuring artist interviews, a creative refresh and reimagined visual style,” announced Paramount+.
From 1997 to 2014, the VH1 program featured musical artists and their careers, ups and downs. Profiled performers included Christina Aguilera, Tori Amos, Backstreet Boys, The Bangles, Pat Benatar, Blondie, Mariah Carey, The Carpenters, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Duran Duran, Gloria Estefan, Fleetwood Mac, The Go-Go’s, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses and R.E.M.
The show was nominated for five Primetime Emmys and won an Alma Award in the Outstanding Made-for-Television Documentary category for the episode on Selena Quintanilla in 1999, four years after the death of the Queen of Tejano music.
The original VH1’s Behind the Music was created by Jeff Gaspin and Gay Rosenthal and narrated by Jim Forbes.
Lopez and Martin are among the most influential and best-selling Latin music artists with more than 70 million records worldwide.
With half a dozen albums, Lopez’s music hits include “If You Had My Love”, “Ain’t It Funny”, “On the Floor” and “Let’s Get Loud.” She is also an accomplished actress and television star. Her film credits include Selena, Anaconda opposite Ice Cube and Jon Voit, “Out of Sight” opposite George Clooney, The Wedding Planner opposite Matthew McConaughey and Maid in Manhattan opposite Ralph Fiennes.
For his part, Martin’s music hits include “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and “She Bangs” and hits in Spanish like “Vuelve” and “Maria.” The Grammy and Latin Grammy-award winner has also acted in television in Mexico and the U.S., including the telenovela Alcanzar una Estrella and the soap opera General Hospital.
Other artists confirmed to be featured on Paramount+’s Behind the Music are rocker Huey Lewis and rappers Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe and LL Cool J.
Featured Photo: Jennifer Lopez (Credit: DOD/Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II). Ricky Martin (Credit: Eva Rinaldi)