Lifetime Plans to Detail Aaliyah, R. Kelly Relationship in Biopic
As if there isn’t enough controversy surrounding an upcoming Lifetime movie on the late R&B singer Aaliyah, news has been released that the network plans to delve into the late singer’s controversial relationship with fellow R&B singer R. Kelly, reports Page Six.
The network plans to cover the brief time when the two singers were allegedly- and illegally- married in 1994, when Aaliyah was only 15 and R.Kelly was 27. Her parents reportedly annulled the marriage.
Though the marriage was denied by all parties involved, a marriage certificate later appeared, with Aaliyah falsely listed as 18.
The biopic, Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, will tell the story of the “One in a Million” singer’s life from her debut on “Star Search” to her rise to fame and, finally, her tragic passing at age 22 in a plane crash in 2001. Disney star Zendaya has been cast in the leading role.
Executive producer Debra Martin Chase told Page Six, “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.”
Aaliyah’s family has expressed their disappointment with the network’s decision to move forward with the Aaliyah biopic without their blessing and their plans to stop it.
“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!” the family said in an official statement.
They added: “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.”
Is Lifetime going too far with the Aaliyah biopic? Or are they simply telling the late singer’s story? Let us know in the comments!
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