The Lifetime Network has tapped Disney star Zendaya Coleman to bring the story of late R&B singer Aaliyah Haughton to life.
The biopic, tentatively titled: Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, will air in the fall.
According to Lifetime, the film “follows the beautiful and talented performer’s inspirational journey, from her debut on Star Search at the age of 10 to the challenges she faced during her rise to become the princess of R&B. On Aug. 25, 2001, at the height of her popularity, her life was tragically cut short when a plane carrying the singer and some of her video crew crashed after takeoff from a Bahamian runway.”
Coleman is best known for the Disney smash show, Shake It Up! She released her first album last summer and took to Twitter to share how much Aaliyah inspired her career:
I'm just a 17 year old girl who got cast to play one of her biggest inspirations #positive—
Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 17, 2014
Show how much she accomplished in only 22 years….she's beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her—
Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 16, 2014
beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion—
Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 16, 2014
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 (@Zendaya) June 16, 2014
Lifetime is also bringing the story of the late Whitney Houston to the screen. Former America’s Next Top Model contestant Yaya DaCosta will play Houston. Award-winning actress Angela Bassett is directing the project.
Replay by: Zendaya Coleman
Disney’s Zendaya Coleman To Play Late R&B Singer Aaliyah In Lifetime Biopic was originally published on newsone.com