Despite calls from fans to stop, Lifetime is moving forward with its biopic on the late singer. In fact, the network and executive producer Wendy Williams have found a new star: Alexandra Shipp.
Lifetime announced with great fanfare last month that former Disney Channel star Zendaya Coleman would play Aaliyah. However, fans petitioned for a change. So, by the end of June, Zendaya was gone.
It wasn’t until today that Williams announced on Twitter that the lead role has been recast, with Shipp taking the part.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shipp is a Nickelodeon star, having appeared in House of Anubis. She also appeared in Awkward and Ray Donovan.
Aaliyah: Princess of R&B will begin filming soon and will air in the fall. Michael Elliot wrote the script and Bradley Walsh (Turn the Beat Around) is directing. Aaliyah Productions Inc. is producing.
Of course, this isn’t the only Lifetime biopic in the works that centers on a deceased music star. The network is also working on a Whitney Houston biopic that Angela Bassett will direct.
image of Wendy Williams courtesy of ACE/INFphoto.com