Zendaya Cast to Play Aaliyah in Lifetime Biopic

The ideas and plans for an official Aaliyah biopic have been floating around for years, but now thirteen years since the R&B icon’s death, Lifetime has announced plans for a biopic starring Zendaya Coleman.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Disney Channel star will play the late singer in the tentatively titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B.

The film is based off of Christopher Farley’s best-selling biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. It is being produced by Aaliyah Productions Inc., with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!) and Debra Martin Chase (The Princess Diaries) serving as executive producers. Bradley Walsh (Turn the Beat Around) will direct from a script written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar).

The 17-year-old actress-singer, who starred on Disney’s “Shake It Up,” will be able to draw from her musical background. She released her self-titled debut in 2013 and has appeared on “Dancing With the Stars.”

“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,” tweeted Zendaya.

“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.”

Lifetime is also developing a Whitney Houston biopic directed by Angela Bassett and starring Yaya DaCosta.