Sunday, June 22, 2014
It was brought to everyone’s attention last week that Aaliyah, aka Baby Girl and the Princess of R&B’s biopic is not being made with her family in mind. The family expressed their outrage, and let it be known that they have no involvement in the film what-so-ever. The film has been titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B and the network has already casted Disney Star, Zendaya Coleman as the lead, with a premiere date slated for August 25th. Check out the statement the family’s PR released begging everyone to join them in their fight against the Lifetime Television channel.
“Aaliyah was more than a singer, she was -and is still – an American music icon whose legacy continues to live on and influence today’s music culture, just as Ray Charles, Notorious B.I.G., Selena and Johnny Cash. Considering the magnitude of her fans’ affection alone, she deserves to have a tribute much more grand than a television network debut that won’t even consider the perspectives of those who were closest to Aaliyah. Disregarding the families and dishonoring the legacies of celebrated figures who have passed on, big networks want to exploit their stories for a buck. We’re here to make it clear that it’s not okay! Lifetime Television is trying to dictate the status of our heroes, our heroines and – in this case – our beloved Aaliyah. We implore everyone to call Lifetime Television, send emails and bombard social media so they know we demand respect for our cultural icons. We will not sit idly by while they misrepresent and reap profits from our luminaries. There is more at stake than the public could imagine.” – Aaliyah’s Family’s PR Team
Do you think that Lifetime will misrepresent Aaliyah’s legacy?