If there is more hate in store for Lifetime’s decision to cast Alexandra Shipp in the starring role of their planned Aaliyah biopic, it won’t be coming from Zendaya Coleman.
The 17-year-old recording artist, who was the original choice to portray the late R&B singer, finally broke her silence on her decision to leave the film as well as her feelings on Alexandra Shipp replacing her. In a series of Instagram videos Zendaya explained point-by-point why she didn’t feel right portraying Aaliyah in addition to describing efforts that she had made on her own to reach out to Aaliyah’s family, who had been very vocal about their disapproval of the planned TV movie.
Videos via Instagram courtesy of: Zendaya
“I tried my best to reach out to the family on my own, and I wrote a letter, but I was unable to do so therefore I felt not morally OK with moving forward with the project,” she said.
Zendaya also showed support for her replacement Alexandra Shipp saying, “I only hope she doesn’t have to deal with half the hate that I had to deal with” before signing off with a kiss.
We reported earlier that Wendy Williams announced the recasting on Twitter. Alexandra Shipp’s other television credits include Switched at Birth and Nickelodeon shows House of Anubis and Victorious. The movie, currently titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, is set to begin filming soon and air in the fall.
Photo Courtesy of:INFphoto.com