Disney Channel Star Zendaya Coleman will no longer be playing Aaliyah in the Lifetime biopic.
According to The Associated Press, Zendaya explained on Sunday that she will do the role when the production “is done right.”
"Because it's someone that I honor and I respect so much, it has to be 128 percent, especially for all her fans, including myself," the 17-year-old said. "I didn't feel like it was all the way there, so I didn't want to do that. And when the time comes when it's done right and it's 100 percent, by all means, I will be the first person there ready to go.”
Lifetime announced two weeks ago that Zendaya would be taking on the role of Aaliyah, to which many fans of the late singer reacted unfavorably, and went as far as starting petition to replace Zendaya.
Aaliyah's family members have also spoken out on their stand on the film, saying they want a feature film instead of a small-screen adaptation, and that they plan on stopping Lifetime from acquiring rights to the songs, says The New York Daily News.
The Lifetime movie, whose tentative title was "Aaliyah: Princess of R&B," was scheduled to film in the summer and is now on hold.
Image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com