SOHH Squad
Hollywood actress Zendaya Coleman has reportedly fallen back on plans to star in an upcoming, but controversial, biopic based on late R&B singer Aaliyah. #NoGo
According to reports, public protest from Aaliyah’s family ultimately contributed to the decision.
Zendaya’s rep says she’s no longer involved with the project … and sources close to the production say a whole bunch of factors played a part including the negative reaction from Aaliyah’s family. For now, Lifetime says production has been put on hold. (TMZ)
According to the film’s executive producer, a close look at Aaliyah’s alleged romance to R&B singer R. Kelly would have come to light.
The 1990s diva — who was tragically killed in a 2001 plane crash when she was just 22 — was alleged to have secretly, illegally married her mentor Kelly in 1994 when she was 15 and he was 27. Executive producer Debra Martin Chase told us, “Aaliyah’s personal and professional relationship with R. Kelly will be explored with care in the film as we set out to depict her life with the utmost respect. Above all else, it’s our hope to inspire an entirely new generation with her music and larger-than-life talent.” (Page Six)
Reports last week revealed the film would be based off a best-selling biography.
This film, tentatively titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, will be based off of Christopher Farley‘s best-selling biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. 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). (The Hollywood Reporter)
Zendaya confirmed her new movie role on Twitter in mid-June.
“She’s been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all I wanna do is honor her,” Zendaya tweeted June 16. (Zendaya’s Twitter)
