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June 16, 2014
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Lifetime is loading up on R&B biopics. Shortly after getting the gears in motion for a telepic based on the life of the late Whitney Houston, the cable network has announced plans for a project on the short-lived career of '90s phenom Aaliyah.

Stepping into the singer's shoes is Disney Channel fixture Zendaya Coleman. The star of series Shake It Up! recently gained widespread recognition with a stint on Dancing With the Stars.

Aaliyah, who topped the charts from 1994 to her death at just 22 years old in 2001, has yet to get a biopic treatment. This film, tentatively titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, will be based off of Christopher Farley's bestselling biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman.

Coleman brings more than just acting chops to the role. She is also a singer and released a self-titled debut in 2013 -- the first single selling more than 1 million copies.

The film is being produced by Aaliyah Productions, Inc., with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!) and Debra Martin Chase (The Princess Diaries) serving as executive producers. Bradley Walsh (Turn the Beat Around) will direct from a script written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar).

[Edited 7/7/14 16:34pm]

Interesting.

I may get criticized for saying this,but...

is an Aaliyah biopic/TV movie really necessary? I understand that she was popular in the modern-day R&B world,but was her story and life really that interesting to warrant a biopic? Other than the R.Kelly marriage drama,I don't recall alot of juicy drama in her life.I don't know...maybe I'm missing something?

It was announced today that production of the biopic has been halted due to Coleman's unexpected exit. It just wasn't meant to be.

Identity said:

It was announced today that production of the biopic has been halted due to Coleman's unexpected exit. It just wasn't meant to be.

I guess so, considering all of the criticism she received, for not being black enough.

The project, titled "Aaliyah:Princess of R&B," was to begin filming over the summer with a fall premiere date planned.

AP Images

Zendaya Coleman; Aaliyah

"We are sad Zendaya will no longer portray Aaliyah. Production is currently on hold," Lifetime wrote in a statement posted on its Twitter account on Sunday. A network rep did not comment further.

Coleman, a Disney Channel star, was cast in the lead role as the R&B singer. The actress and singer was to record four of the songs that would've appeared in the movie.

The project, titled Aaliyah:Princess of R&B, was to begin filming over the summer with a fall premiere date planned. The script for the biopic was based on a book Aaliyah: More Than a Woman, by Christopher Farley.

After the announcement by Lifetime of the biopic on June 16, the family of Aaliyah pushed back against the project in multiple reports.

Lifetime "didn’t reach out," Aaliyah's cousin Jomo Hankerson told The New York Daily News in a June 24 story. He added that the family was seeing a lawyer about rights issues.

"We want a major studio release along the lines of ‘What's Love Got to Do with It,’ the Tina Turner movie," Hankerson explained to the paper.

The project's executive producer Debra Martin Chase stated that the project aimed to "honor the legacy" of the bestselling singer, who died in a plane crash in 2001.

"This film will provide a heartfelt look at Aaliyah’s extraordinary and all-too-short life journey that we hope will provide inspiration to an entirely new generation," Chase told Billboard. "Aaliyah is beloved for her artistic grace and her wonderful spirit, and I’m looking forward to producing this film that will honor her legacy."

I guess she gave in to all the pressure of the negativity of her getting this role.

phunkdaddy said:

Well it's terrible. If she is good enough to play the part why should she be criticized for not getting being black enough. It's not like Aaliyah is a dark complexion. Unless it's a situation where Aaliyah's parents were not happy about the biopic then maybe out of respect Zendaya would think twice about it.

I agree.

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Identity said:

It was announced today that production of the biopic has been halted due to Coleman's unexpected exit. It just wasn't meant to be.

I guess so, considering all of the criticism she received, for not being black enough.

It should be for not looking enough like Aalyiah.

Call her when they do the Cassie biopic. You know, the one where she plays Cassie, Puffy plays himself and Drake plays Ryan Leslie.

[img:$uid]http://s13.post.../img:$uid]

They probably had to take a picture together to prove hey weren't the same person.

I'm still not completely convinced.

[Edited 6/30/14 8:07am]

Today she addressed her departure from the project. "I felt like something with the production [wasn't] all the way there, the project wasn't all the way there," she said. "If I'm going to do something for someone I care about so much, I have to do it the right way. I just felt that because I love her, and because I respected her so much as an artist, I don't want to do anything that's half or anything that's less for her", she continued.


She indicated she's open to playing Aaliyah in the future. So there you have it, folks.

Identity said:

Today she addressed her departure from the project. "I felt like something with the production [wasn't] all the way there, the project wasn't all the way there," she said. "If I'm going to do something for someone I care about so much, I have to do it the right way. I just felt that because I love her, and because I respected her so much as an artist, I don't want to do anything that's half or anything that's less for her", she continued.


She indicated she's open to playing Aaliyah in the future. So there you have it, folks.

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In other words, she didn't want to do it without the parents blessing. I think she was willing to endure the pressure of the naysayers initially but without the support of the fam?....nevermind. Probably a smart move on her part overall. Especially without the parent's permission to use Aaliyah's actual recordings. I know she was supposed to do several remakes of her stuff but still...

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As far as the people that didn't like her for the role, I don't think anyone other than Aaliyah herself would've suffice for those folks.

Musicslave said:

Identity said:

Today she addressed her departure from the project. "I felt like something with the production [wasn't] all the way there, the project wasn't all the way there," she said. "If I'm going to do something for someone I care about so much, I have to do it the right way. I just felt that because I love her, and because I respected her so much as an artist, I don't want to do anything that's half or anything that's less for her", she continued.


She indicated she's open to playing Aaliyah in the future. So there you have it, folks.

-

In other words, she didn't want to do it without the parents blessing. I think she was willing to endure the pressure of the naysayers initially but without the support of the fam?....nevermind. Probably a smart move on her part overall. Especially without the parent's permission to use Aaliyah's actual recordings. I know she was supposed to do several remakes of her stuff but still...

-

As far as the people that didn't like her for the role, I don't think anyone other than Aaliyah herself would've suffice for those folks.

Come on now. You really believe that if she is not acceptable to play Aalyiah that nobody else is?

How is it that everyone is glossing over the fact that she DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AALIYAH?

I wouldn't hire Megan Fox to play Paris Hilton in a movie. Its not that she couldn't play vapid and self-centered but she doesn't look like Paris Hilton. At no point would I believe that I'm looking at Paris Hilton if she were played by Megan Fox. Such is the case here. Nobody would look at that girl and believe she was Aalyiah. They don't have to find Aaliyah's twin to play her but at least get in the ball park.

BlaqueKnight said:

Musicslave said:

-

In other words, she didn't want to do it without the parents blessing. I think she was willing to endure the pressure of the naysayers initially but without the support of the fam?....nevermind. Probably a smart move on her part overall. Especially without the parent's permission to use Aaliyah's actual recordings. I know she was supposed to do several remakes of her stuff but still...

-

As far as the people that didn't like her for the role, I don't think anyone other than Aaliyah herself would've suffice for those folks.

Come on now. You really believe that if she is not acceptable to play Aalyiah that nobody else is?

How is it that everyone is glossing over the fact that she DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AALIYAH?

I wouldn't hire Megan Fox to play Paris Hilton in a movie. Its not that she couldn't play vapid and self-centered but she doesn't look like Paris Hilton. At no point would I believe that I'm looking at Paris Hilton if she were played by Megan Fox. Such is the case here. Nobody would look at that girl and believe she was Aalyiah. They don't have to find Aaliyah's twin to play her but at least get in the ball park.

-

Nah bruh, of course not. I'm saying some people (Aaliyah die hard fans) are going to be extra critical of anybody that fills that role, yes even if they happen to resemble her. Besides, who knows what they could have done with her after make-up and wardrobe departments did their thing.

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I feel you on the comparison with Megan & Paris. But again, we never got to see her in full "Aaliyah" mode so to speak either. Remember how most thought the selection of Lil Mama was wack but she overwhelmingly proved most of her critics wrong through her performance.

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Now, I agree that Zoe Saldana has no business playing Nina Simone. I'm still trying to force my eyes to see that one. Even AFTER the hollywood treatment of make-up and costuming...still not seeing it. Those early shots of Zoe were atrocious.

AALIYAH LOOK-A-LIKE TAKES STARRING MOVIE ROLE AFTER DISNEY STAR DIPS

Yes! they got it right this time. She's PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you Mickey Dolenz for all those comparisons

great job

and btw

i loved Davy first

Mickey second.....

me and my 3 friend called ourselves "The Chiquitas"

because Monkeys loved banannas

I was Davy's wife...

and the other 3 were Mickey, Mike and Peter's wives...

MickyDolenz said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Lifetime "didn’t reach out," Aaliyah's cousin Jomo Hankerson told The New York Daily News in a June 24 story. He added that the family was seeing a lawyer about rights issues.

"We want a major studio release along the lines of ‘What's Love Got to Do with It,’ the Tina Turner movie," Hankerson explained to the paper.

The difference is,Tina Turner is an iconic superstar who had a really interesting,powerful story.The family is insane to expect Aaliyah's movie to be on the same level as What's Love Got To Do With It.

SoulAlive said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Lifetime "didn’t reach out," Aaliyah's cousin Jomo Hankerson told The New York Daily News in a June 24 story. He added that the family was seeing a lawyer about rights issues.

"We want a major studio release along the lines of ‘What's Love Got to Do with It,’ the Tina Turner movie," Hankerson explained to the paper.

The difference is,Tina Turner is an iconic superstar who had a really interesting,powerful story.The family is insane to expect Aaliyah's movie to be on the same level as What's Love Got To Do With It.

No they're NOT! Aaliyah was an ICON! It was noone else like her. Plus her life was cut short @ the brink of superstardom. She had many MAJOR roles lined up. It would be no Beyonce without her.

BlaqueKnight said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

I guess so, considering all of the criticism she received, for not being black enough.

It should be for not looking enough like Aalyiah.

Call her when they do the Cassie biopic. You know, the one where she plays Cassie, Puffy plays himself and Drake plays Ryan Leslie.

[img:$uid]http://s13.post.../img:$uid]

They probably had to take a picture together to prove hey weren't the same person.

I'm still not completely convinced.

[Edited 6/30/14 8:07am]

If Cassie's name and image is relevant (no pun intended ), then I could see Zendaya Coleman playing her.