Zendaya Coleman Given Coveted Aaliyah Movie Role

Lifetime announced on June 16, that Disney actress Zendaya Coleman, 17, has been cast as Aaliyah in a new made-for-TV movie about the late R&B superstar, who died at age 22 in a plane crash in 2001.
The biopic—Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, based on the bestselling book Aaliyah: More Than a Woman—will tell the story of the “One in a Million” singer’s life and death, from her debut on Star Search to her rise to her fame and, finally, her tragic passing. (US Magazine)
“Replay” singer and Dancing With the Stars alum Zendaya will appear in the title role, and is set to record four of Aaliyah’s hit songs for the film. Created by Turn the Beat Around director Bradley Walsh, with a script by Brown Sugar screenwriter Michael Elliot, Aaliyah: Princess of R&B will shoot this summer. It’s set to premiere in the fall.
There has been a lot of negative criticism regarding the decision to cast Zendaya as Aaliyah from fans via social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram. The main concern from fans is that Zendaya looks nothing like the “One in a Million” singer, and it will be hard for her to sell the performance. I agree that Zendaya and Aaliyah do not resemble one another, but I do believe that Zendaya’s singing and dancing skills will definitely work in her favor for the role. As far as her acting goes, I guess we will all just have to wait and see.
Zendaya Coleman given coveted Aaliyah movie role, and she will have to show and prove that she deserves it. Although Aaliyah is getting the small screen treatment from Lifetime, I’m sure the movie will not disappoint. Aaliyah fans have been waiting far too long for the R&B Princess’s life to be documented. I can’t wait to see what Lifetime has in store.
(Featured Image courtesy of US Magazine)