Disney star Zendaya is set to take on the role of R&B’s sweetheart, Aaliyah in the Lifetime original movie Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, chronicling the life of the singer and actress who tragically died in a plane crash. The biopic is based on the best selling Aaliyah: More Than A Woman by former Time Magazine music editor Chirstopher Farley.
Coleman, a platinum-selling recording artist in her own right, will also record four of Aaliyah’s songs for the film.
The movie will be the first on-screen depiction of the beloved performer’s life, from her debut on Star Search to the height of her career and the tragic ending of her life at 22 during the summer of 2001.
Zendaya took to her twitter to share her excitement about playing the late singer saying, “She’s been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all I wanna do is honor her show how much she accomplished in only 22 years….she’s beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion.”
Princess of R&B will be filmed this summer with a fall premiere.