Lifetime's biopic on Aaliyah is on its way, despite criticism and family wishes. The network has now begun promoting the made-for-TV movie with a brief trailer featuring lead actress Alexandria Shipp. It shows her dressed in Aaliyah's iconic baggy jeans and crop-top and busting a few dance moves.
As previously reported, Shipp wasn't the original actress cast in the role of Aaliyah. When the project was first announced, Disney star Zendaya Coleman was cast. However, she later dropped out of the film in late June. She denied that the criticism toward her played a role in her decision and blamed her departure on the film's lack of production value, music rights, and having Aalyiah's family's blessing.
Aaliyah's uncle and former manager, Barry Hankerson, told TMZ that the family was angry that no one from Lifetime contacted them about the movie. He said that the family was working to block the network's attempts to use any of Aaliyah's music and were working with a lawyer to stop the film's production.
The filming continued on, despite all these issues.
Other actors who have been cast in the film include Rachael Crawford, Sterling Jarvis, Lyriq Bent, Anthony Grant, A.J. Saudin, and Jesse Sukunda, as well as Chattrisse Dolabaille as Missy Elliott and Izaak Smith as Timbaland. TV host Wendy Williams will be serving as executive producer.
Aaliyah: Princess of R&B is set to premiere Saturday, November 15 on Lifetime.
Check out the brief trailer below, and let us know what you think in the comments section!
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