It has been in the talks for a while now and now it has been reported that Lifetime is producing a biopic on Aaliyah, based on Christopher Farley’s book, Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. Zendaya Coleman has been cast to play the late singer. However, before the movie have gone into production, drama is already rising.

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Already with claims that Zendaya is too light to play Aaliyah, now it has been revealed that Aaliyah’s family is not on board with the plan.

Cousin and President of her label, Blackground Records, Jomo Hankerson, released a statement through the family’s PR team stating that
“she deserves to have a tribute much more grand than a television network debut.”

The statement released was the following,

“Aaliyah was more than a singer, she was -and is still – an American music icon whose legacy continues to live on and influence today’s music culture, just as Ray Charles, Notorious B.I.G., Selena and Johnny Cash. Considering the magnitude of her fans’ affection alone, she deserves to have a tribute much more grand than a television network debut that won’t even consider the perspectives of those who were closest to Aaliyah. Disregarding the families and dishonoring the legacies of celebrated figures who have passed on, big networks want to exploit their stories for a buck. We’re here to make it clear that it’s not okay! Lifetime Television is trying to dictate the status of our heroes, our heroines and – in this case – our beloved Aaliyah. We implore everyone to call Lifetime Television, send emails and bombard social media so they know we demand respect for our cultural icons. We will not sit idly by while they misrepresent and reap profits from our luminaries. There is more at stake than the public could imagine.”

For the love of Aaliyah…Would YOU be making a call to Lifetime?

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