Categories: News

Alexandra Shipp To Replace Zendaya Coleman In Lifetime's Aaliyah Biopic

Lifetime’s Aaliyah biopic has a new star in Alexandra Shipp, who has taken on the role following Zendaya Coleman’s departure from the project.

Alexandra Shipp Starring In Aaliyah Biopic

Talk show host Wendy Williams, who is executive producing the made-for-TV movie, announced the casting news on Twitter Friday. “I'm excited to exec produce the Aaliyah @lifetimetv movie w/ @DebraMChase,” she wrote. "Prod starts later this month and @AlexShipppp will play Aaliyah.”

Shipp is best known for playing KT Rush in Nickelodeon’s House of Anubis. She’s also appeared in ABC Family’s Switched at Birth and Showtime’s Ray Donovan.

Before Shipp stepped into the titular role, Disney star Zendaya Coleman was tapped to play the R&B singer that tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 22. However, Coleman ultimately decided to walk away from the project, implying that she felt that the movie was not going to properly honor Aaliyah.

“She's been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter (than) ever,” Coleman tweeted last month. “All I wanna do is honor her.”

Coleman offered an in-depth explanation for walking away from the Aaliyah biopic in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “After actually starting the project, I feel like there were certain things that were missing and things that weren’t 100 percent taken care of,” Coleman explained. “I feel like if I’m going to portray one of my idols … it has to be done right,” she added. “It just wasn’t a good choice for me.”

GET THE FREE uINTERVIEW iPHONE APP FOR LATEST NEWS UPDATES

Chelsea Regan

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Russian Strikes Rain Down On Kyiv With Major Fires & Building Damage Reported

https://youtu.be/J2sWnFfBJqg Russian strikes hit several districts of Kyiv, Ukraine, overnight into Nov. 7, officials said,…

59 mins ago

Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing & Potential Release In Question With New DA

Gascón recently shared his office’s decision to recommend the Menendez brothers be resentenced, but now Hochman…

3 hours ago

Australian Breaker Raygun Retires From Competitive Breakdancing After ‘Upsetting’ Backlash To Olympic Performance

Australian breakdancer Rachel "Raygun" Gunn retired from competitive breakdancing after the backlash she received for her performance…

4 hours ago

Mama Bear & Cubs Released In The Wild After Getting Into Garage, Cub Rescued After Climbing Power Pole & Falling Asleep In Phone Lines

https://youtu.be/9_ostoap3uM A mother bear and her two cubs were tranquilized in Crown King, Arizona, on…

7 hours ago

VIDEO: Aircraft Drops Fire Retardant On ‘Fast-Moving’ Wildfire

https://youtu.be/iH2RzAy6hbo Several people were injured and multiple structures were impacted by a “fast-moving” brush fire burning in California’s Ventura…

8 hours ago

Zach Bryan’s Ex Says He Offered Her $12 Million To Sign An NDA: ‘I Don’t Want Blood Money’

LaPaglia also shared details from the abusive relationship she endured with Bryan, which saw him…

8 hours ago