Singer-actress Zendaya is set to star in Lifetime’s original movie “Aaliyah: Princess of R&B” (working title) about the life of the late actress and R&B artist Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001.
Zendaya will record four of Aaliyah’s songs for the film, based on the bestseller “Aaliyah: More Than a Woman” by former Time Magazine music editor Christopher Farley.
Known to most by only her first name, Aaliyah Dana Haughton made her debut on “Star Search” at age 10 and was only 22 years old when a plane carrying her and some of her video crew crashed after taking off from a Bahamian runway. The film will depict her journey and rise to fame.
Like the young star she will portray, Zendaya has delved into both music and acting and even landed the runner-up spot on season 16 of “Dancing With the Stars.”
“Aaliyah:Princess of R&B” will be produced by Aaliyah Productions, Inc. with Howard Braunstein and Debra Martin Chase serving as exec producers. Bradley Walsh will direct from Michael Elliot’s script.
The telefilm will be filmed this summer and is slated to premiere in the fall.
