It was announced month that actress Alexandra Shipp would take on the role of the late Aaliyah Haughton in the upcoming Lifetime film Aaliyah: Princess of R&B when Zendaya Coleman dropped out due to production issues (and as some would speculate, overall backlash of her casting). As the film rolls on, more casting choices are unveiled. We now know who will portray those who were close to Aaliyah: Grammy Award winning artists/producers Missy Elliot and Timbaland, as well as members of the Houghton family.
According to Blackfilm.com, actress Chattrisse Dolabaille and actor Izaak Smith (pictured above) will play Missy and Timbaland. Both played an important part in shaping that groundbreaking sound of her sophomore album One In A Million as well as her last 2001 album, Aaliyah.
Those cast to play Aaliyah’s parents Diane and Michael Haughton are actors Rachael Crawford (The Man) and Sterling Jarvis (The Sentinel, An American Girl Adventure). Lyriq Bent (CSI: Miami, Four Brothers, Saw II and III) will portray Aaliyah’s uncle and label president Barry Hankerson, Anthony Grant (Why Did I Get Married?) will play Damon Dash, and A.J. Saudin and Jesse Sukunda will play the singer’s older and younger version of her brother Rashad respectively. Still no word on who will play R. Kelly.
With these casting decisions come more objections. Some fans are upset that Dolabaille is too petite and “light-skinned” to play Missy (check out her video resume here.) As for Smith, he has appeared in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010), Mirror Mirror (2012) and All of Me (2014).
Alright Roomies, what do you guys think abot this casting decision? Sound off!
