The Jets. If you grew up in the eighties, that name probably triggers an immediate mental playback of "Crush on You." It’s that specific brand of bubblegum pop-funk that feels like neon lights and high-top sneakers. But honestly, when people search for A Crush on You cast, they aren’t usually looking for a movie crew. They’re looking for the Wolfgramm family.
They were siblings. Eight of them, originally.
It’s rare to see a group that young actually play their own instruments and write their own hooks, but the Wolfgramms were different. They were Tongan-Americans from Minneapolis who basically took the "family band" trope and turned it into a Billboard powerhouse. Elizabeth, Moana, Eugene, LeRoy, Haini, Rudy, Kathi, and Eddie. That was the lineup. If you watch the music video now, it’s a chaotic, vibrant explosion of eighties fashion—oversized blazers, spandex, and hairspray—but the talent was undeniable.
The Faces Behind the Music: Who Was Who in The Jets?
Elizabeth Wolfgramm was the centerpiece. She was just a teenager when she recorded the lead vocals for "Crush on You," and her voice had a raspy maturity that didn't match her age. It’s wild to think she was only about 13 or 14 during that peak era. Most kids that age are struggling with algebra, but she was fronting a world tour.
Then you had Moana. She shared the spotlight and brought a different energy to the stage. The dynamic between the sisters and the brothers created this wall of sound that felt incredibly full. LeRoy and Eddie handled much of the instrumentation, alongside Haini on bass and Rudy on drums. They weren't just "faces" for a studio project; they were a self-contained unit.
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People often confuse them with other "teen" acts of the era, but the A Crush on You cast—if we're calling the band members that—had a very specific Minneapolis sound. It wasn't quite Prince, and it wasn't quite Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, but it lived in that same neighborhood. It was clean, rhythmic, and undeniably catchy.
The Missing Member and the Shifting Lineup
Not everyone stayed. Eugene Wolfgramm, who famously performed the "rap" and played percussion, eventually split off to form Boys Next Door. You might remember the song "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz? Well, Eugene (under the name Gene Hunt) was part of that orbit for a minute.
His departure changed the vibe. It happens to every family band eventually. Internal friction, the pressure of being the breadwinners for a massive extended family, and the simple desire to grow up outside of a costume. By the time the late eighties rolled around, the lineup started to flicker. Some members left for religious missions—the family is famously LDS—while others just wanted a break from the grind.
Why "Crush on You" Still Lives in Our Heads
The song itself is a masterclass in eighties production. That opening synth line? It’s iconic. It’s been sampled dozens of times, most famously by Aaron Carter in the late nineties, which introduced the A Crush on You cast's legacy to a whole new generation of middle schoolers.
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But why did it work?
Honestly, it’s the simplicity. "I got a crush on you / I hope you feel the way I do." It isn't Shakespeare. It isn't trying to be. It captures that terrifying, jittery feeling of being fifteen and liking someone so much it hurts. When you watch the original video, you see the cast—the siblings—genuinely having fun. There’s a lack of cynicism in their performance that you just don't see anymore.
Where Are They Now? 1980s Stardom to Modern Life
Life after being a teen idol is notoriously difficult. For the Wolfgramms, it was a mix of quiet living and occasional reunions. They didn't disappear into the "where are they now" tabloid void of tragedy, which is a relief.
- Elizabeth Wolfgramm (Atuaia): She married and stayed involved in music, though mostly in a more private or spiritual capacity. Her voice is still incredible, for the record.
- Moana Wolfgramm: She’s often the one keeping the legacy alive, performing with various iterations of The Jets over the years.
- The "New" Jets: Today, there are actually two versions of the group. One tours the 80s nostalgia circuit (often in Las Vegas), and the other consists of younger family members. It’s a literal dynasty.
The transition from 1986's "Crush on You" to 2026's reality hasn't always been easy. There were legal battles over the name. There were health scares. But the core of the A Crush on You cast remains familial. They didn't burn out in a blaze of glory; they just matured.
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The Impact on the "Minneapolis Sound"
We talk a lot about Prince when we talk about Minnesota music. Rightfully so. But The Jets were the pop bridge. They took that funk-adjacent sound and made it accessible for Top 40 radio in a way that felt authentic. They were one of the first Polynesian families to achieve that level of global stardom. That matters. It broke a lot of doors down for AAPI representation in the music industry long before that was a common talking point.
Fact-Checking the Viral Rumors
Every few years, a rumor goes around that the "Crush on You" video featured a young famous actor before they were stars. Usually, people are thinking of different videos from that era (like Courtney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video).
To be clear: the A Crush on You cast was almost entirely the Wolfgramm siblings and their immediate touring band. There were dancers, sure, but the "stars" were the family. If you think you recognize someone else, you might be thinking of their other hits like "You Got It All" or "Make It Real." Those videos had a slightly higher budget and more "acting," whereas "Crush on You" was mostly about the performance and the clothes.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive back into the world of The Jets or the "Crush on You" era, don't just stick to the hits.
- Check out the B-sides: Their debut album has some deep-cut funk tracks that show off their musicianship way more than the radio edits.
- Watch the 1980s Live Performances: Search for their live TV appearances from 1986. They actually played their instruments live, which was rare for "teen" groups on shows like Top of the Pops or American Bandstand.
- Support the Current Iterations: Several members still perform in Las Vegas. If you want to see the A Crush on You cast in a modern setting, the "Jets 80s Experience" is usually your best bet.
- Look for the Documentary: There have been various independent projects and interviews detailing their rise from a Polynesian dance troupe to pop stars. It's a fascinating look at the immigrant experience in the US music industry.
The legacy of "Crush on You" isn't just about a catchy chorus. It’s about a family that managed to navigate the meat grinder of the 1980s music industry and come out the other side with their relationships—and their catchy-as-hell songs—mostly intact.