Celebrities
Aaliyah’s Family Disapproves of Forthcoming Biopic, Tells Fans: ‘Demand Respect For Our Cultural Icons’
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Reported by Kacie Whaley
Ever since the Lifetime network announced their plans to make a biopic about the late R&B singer Aaliyah, everybody including her fans, those set to cast in the movie, and anyone with their two cents on the matter have spoken up. Now, Aaliyah’s family is setting the record straight on how they feel about the matter.
The singer’s family released a statement Friday which said that Lifetime has not reached out to Aaliyah’s family regarding the movie, and that they view a small-screen depiction of the songstress as an insult:
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.
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.
There is no word yet on how Lifetime will deal with the negative backlash that the potential film has garnered.
Do you think Lifetime should go forward with the Aaliyah biopic?
