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Artist News Media
Controversial US Aaliyah TV movie gets new star
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 22 July 2014
So, the controversial Aaliyah biopic being made by Lifetime in the States is back on. Following the departure of Zendaya Coleman in the lead role, Nickelodeon actress Alexandra Shipp has stepped in to play the late R&B singer.
As previously reported, production of the TV movie was halted after Disney star Coleman pulled out, stating that she “felt the project wasn’t 100% there”. This followed legal action by Aaliyah’s family, attempting to stop the film from being made at all. The family is annoyed that they weren’t contacted about the movie before it was greenlit. They’re also concerned that it’ll be a bit shit and not the sort of production befitting someone of Aaliyah’s stature.
But seemingly nothing can bring this thing down. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Alexandra Shipp is now in place to play Aaliyah, with filming due to restart shortly, before the film’s premiere in the autumn. Bradley Walsh is directing. No, not that one.