By now it’s no secret that Aaliyah’s family is NOT here for the upcoming Lifetime biopic Aaliyah: Princess of R&B starring Zendaya Coleman as the late singer.
The film is based on the biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman by former Time magazine music editor Christopher Farley.
The family has already threatened legal action and now they’re speaking out against the film in the form of a press release saying that no one from the network reached out to the family for input. Furthermore, they feel that Aaliyah’s story is way too big for a Lifetime movie.
The statement reads:
“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.”
We need a resolution.
Comments are closed.