UPDATE: Zendaya Drops Out Of Aaliyah Tribute Biopic

Zendaya drops out of Aaliyah tribute biopic movie that was set to appear on Lifetime this coming fall. The Aaliyah tribute movie was going to star Zendaya Coleman, known simply as Zendaya of the Disney Channel show "Shake It Up," in the title role of Aaliyah.

Zendaya has dropped out of the lead role of Aaliyah in the tribute biopic allegedly due to production issues, including Lifetime being unable to obtain rights to Aaliyah's songs that were to be featured in the film and sung by Zendaya.

Zendaya has not officially announced her reasons for dropping out of the Aaliyah tribute film, but did retweet an E! News article saying, "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."

Production is now on hold according to a tweet by Lifetime that read, "We are sad Zendaya will no longer play Aaliyah. Production is on hold."

The tribute movie has had its share of problems since production was announced. The tribute biopic was to include details about Aaliyah's controversial secret and illegal marriage to R. Kelly at the age of 15.

 Aaliyah's family has disapproved of the project. "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," the family said in a statement according to Rolling Stone.

Now that Zendaya has dropped out of the Aaliyah tribute biopic, the status of the project is yet to be determined. Who will replace Zendaya as the title role of Aaliyah in the tribute biopic movie, and will production ever continue for Lifetime to even make the movie?

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Aaliyah
Disney Channel
tribute
biopic
lifetime movie
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