Aaliyah
Fans of the late R&B singer, Aaliyah, who died in a
plane crash in 2001, continue to protest the Lifetime network's
choice of casting Disney actress, Zendaya Coleman, in the lead role,
as she is mixed race and the vocalist is not. However, Coleman
stated she is suitable to play the part, "A lot of people say I’m
not black enough. Half black is just enough. It doesn’t matter what
color you are, it’s about how you portray the character. For those
that don’t know, Angela Bassett and Tina Turner, they look nothing
alike but she was that character so I think that’s what it’s all
about."
The Judiciary Report is of the belief Coleman is not
right for the part and it's nothing to do with her skintone. She is
a pleasant comedic actress, but she simply doesn't resemble Aaliyah
and isn't a dramatic actress to make one forget that while she's
onscreen. The facial features and bone structure are quite different
between the two women.
Zendaya Coleman (left) and Aaliyah (right)
Aaliyah's uncle, Jomo Hankerson, also released a
statement on the film on behalf of the family, strongly disapproving
of the unauthorized film, "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."
Zendaya Coleman (left) and Aaliyah (right)
"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."
Last week the Judiciary Report stated the same
regarding the current Lifetime movies on Aaliyah and Whitney
Houston, writing the biopics will "dishonor their legacies" (Family
And Fans Of The Late Singer Aaliyah Vocally Oppose Lifetime's
Unauthorized Biopic Of Her Life Starring Zendaya Coleman).
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