Well, this is a doozy. Amidst a stom of controversy, Zendaya Coleman has now backed out of playing her dream role of Aailyah in the upcoming Lifetime biopic. Deets inside...
Just hours before she's set to hit the 2014 BET Awards tonight as a nominee for the Young Star Award, Zendaya Coleman's rep has confirmed shes has pulled out of the Aaliyah project!
As for the reason, it seems Disney star Zendaya isn't feeling the way Lifetime is going getting the movie done. According to E! News, Zendaya's rep cited production issues, including problems obtaining the rights to Aaliyah's music. In a statement to the network, the rep said:
"Zendaya is no longer involved in the project....Aaliyah has always been an inspiration to Zendaya. She was honored to portray her and pay tribute to her. If she is going to do it, she wants to do it right."
Just tlast week, Zendaya revealed on "Access Hollywood" her excitement about the project:
"We haven't started production or anything. But the family was my number one concern. My important thing about this was the mother & the brother... and that Lifetime reached out. I didn't feel comfortable until they did. So they're working on that and reaching out to the family to make sure everything's ok. I wrote a letter, a whole bunch of things. I've been an Aaliyah fan my entire life. I auditioned like anyone else and I got cast in the part. I want it to be something [the family] is proud of and what she would be proud of. It's a Lifetime movie. So it's just to honor her. And to show how incredible she is and the things she was able to do."
Looks like "Aaliyah: Princess of R&B" biopic will have to go back to the drawing board to find a new leading lady. The movie was set to chronicle the short life of the late R&B star, her controversial relationship with R.Kelly, her rise to fame, and her tragic death.
BET host Keshia Chante recently spoke out about turning down the role because she also felt like the movie was not being done correctly. Lifetime has yet to comment.
Photo: Zendaya's IG
