Lisa Lisa's First Record Deal Had Stipulations That She Could Not Drive Fast Cars, Get Pregnant And More...........

Long before breaking barriers for women in Latin freestyle and pop music, Lisa Lisa—lead singer of the groundbreaking group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam—was fighting a battle behind the scenes. When she signed her first record deal in the 1980s, the contract came with sexist stipulations that had nothing to do with her talent and everything to do with her gender.

According to Lisa Lisa, her label forbade her from driving fast cars, getting pregnant, or being in a romantic relationship. These limitations weren’t about safety or professionalism—they were rooted in outdated ideas about how a female artist should behave in the public eye. The underlying message was clear: as a woman in the industry, she was expected to remain an image, not a person.

This wasn’t just a control tactic—it was a reflection of how female performers were often treated as commodities rather than artists. These clauses essentially tried to police her body, her lifestyle, and her femininity under the guise of maintaining marketability.

Despite these unjust limitations, Lisa Lisa rose to fame with hits like “I Wonder If I Take You Home” and “Can You Feel the Beat,” becoming a trailblazer for Latinas in mainstream pop and R&B. Her success, achieved while navigating a music industry rife with sexism, only underscores her strength and resilience.

Her experience sheds light on the broader challenges faced by women in music—a fight for agency, equality, and the freedom to be seen as more than just a product. Today, Lisa Lisa’s story serves as a reminder of how far the industry has come—and how far it still needs to go.

Follow her journey and legacy on Instagram @lisalisad1.