Terumi Matthews played Madonna again in the 1998 biopic Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story (1998).
The "Ruth Novak Dance Troupe" where Madonna started dancing in the movie is a reference to the noted dancer and choreographer Martha Graham and the real life "Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe". Madonna danced for for both dance studios.
The club DJ Mitch Roth is based on DJ and record producer Mark Kamins, who later produced Madonna's first solo single "Everybody".
The character Paul is based on "The Breakfast Club"-singer and guitarist Dan Gilroy. His brother Stu is based on Gilroy's brother and band-mate Ed.