Well, that didn’t last long. Lifetime just made the official announcement on June 17, 2014 that Zendaya would be portraying Aaliyah in a Lifetime Original Movie and now the network’s saying the project is on hold.
“We are sad Zendaya will no longer portray Aaliyah. Production is currently on hold.” – @lifetimeTV_pr
Zendaya, who was supposed to record four songs to be used in the movie, has left Aaliyah: Princess of R&B which was set to begin shooting this summer. Lifetime had been eyeing a fall premiere but that will be delayed due to the loss of its lead actress.
According to an interview with Aaliyah’s cousin in Daily News, the family was never a part of this Lifetime film and actually wants a larger-scale movie rather than TV biopic. However, Aaliyah’s cousin did say the family wasn’t angry over the casting of Zendaya. “I don’t have a problem with her,” said Jomo Hankerson in the Daily News interview. “It’s never been about the actress. The problem that we have is that Aaliyah was an icon and she deserves an iconic tribute, not a Lifetime movie.”
Zendaya [Coleman’s] credits include Disney’s Shake It Up and Good Luck Charlie.
-By Rebecca Murray
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