The Original Manhattanite : Zendaya Coleman will play R&B hip hop princess, Aaliyah: More than a woman film coming this fall

“Aaliyah: More than a woman” Biopic

Written by: Chloe Riccardo

"More Than A Woman" written by: Christopher John Farley (December 2001)

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 16, 1979 later moved to Detroit, Michigan, she was discovered first on stage as a child, and later appeared on Star Search as well, she was destined to be a star her mother chose the name, which is Arabic and means “highest, most exalted one” she definitely accomplished so many things in 22 years that for sure especially during her time. I remember the first time I saw her actually on screen. I was about eight years old when Aaliyah came on the scene in 1994. She had linked up with R&B songwriter and singer, R.Kelly. I look at my small television screen it was sitting on top of my dresser in my childhood bedroom in Washington, D.C.. I see this pretty coffee with cream- colored skin young woman, she had long dark brown hair, almond - shaped eyes. She’s dancing and sitting next to R. Kelly in the video in a baggy track- suit. I was probably watching BET at the time in my room, cleaning or just in my room relaxing. I saw her and I wanted to be just like her instantly. She had an angelic voice, I remember one detail sticks out in my mind how BET’s producers phonetically wrote (aa-lee-ah) next to her name. So you knew okay let’s get this young lady’s name right. Glad they did that’s not a name you can easily let slip your brain.

I never knew that the young lady on my screen would become someone I was going to admire, respect, try to emulate, her style, her personality, her class. Aaliyah had it believe me, she was the valedictorian when she graduated from high school, had the sweetest personality people often said you saw it every time she spoke, her soft-spoken voice, her shyness, how she carried herself, I saw her in concert once, I did buy the albums: “Age Ain’t Nothing but a number”, “One in A Million”, “Aaliyah”, “Care 4 You”, we played “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number” several times in my mom’s car I remember she bought the tape. I learned all of the words to “Back and Forth”, “At Your Best (You Are Loved)”. We used to dance around the house my cousins and I to her songs. So she really was like one of the people who sang along to the soundtrack of our lives at that time. I grew up with her from age 8 to age 15 singing along to her songs. I still sing along all the time now as an adult. I treasure her because I know she really was an amazing young woman who touched many people celebrity or non-celebrity lives. I have to tell you now looking back there’s so many memories of her that are imprinted, when “One In A Million” came out, “Hot Like Fire”, she had so many hit records that would just hit and touch your heart. I think my favorite album has to be her last one was the one that hit me the most. I think we all wanted to be like her especially when she crossed over from her tomboy- baggy jean style and became this lady wearing heels, developing her style, she was tough but she had this incredible fearlessness. You saw a sweet sensitive side to her personality but also she could kick your behind and melt your heart all at the same time.

I think she displayed that in her videos like “If you’re girl only knew”, “More than a woman”, and “Try Again”. You saw her dancing ability and just everything about her made you want to be just like her, she used to do this belly roll where you dip and drop your hips and roll. I always tried to master that dance, there’s so much I think many young ladies tried to copy her style, her long swoop bang that would cover her beautiful right eye. It was just a mysterious thing, she wasn’t ostentatious, elaborate, or boastful. She was like a smooth glass of lemonade, bubbly, sweet, refreshing, and just pleasant actually. You have the strong sense she loved family, she was very close to her older brother, Rashad Haughton, and her family. I instantly picked up on that quickly watching all of her video specials, her films, and just following her craft. I saw her once in concert I believe in 2000 at Hot 97’s summer jam concert. That was the only time but I am glad I had the chance before she passed to see her, to remember everything about her as an artist. I had put her picture on my wall in my room from a VIBE Magazine March 2001 (she was also later featured on the cover again as a tribute special magazine dedicated to her in Fall of 2001) as a teenager, you know you are proud of the people you look up to and you respect. For me and others who admire, respect, and people are inspired by different musicians, singers, and actors especially their talents and abilities. We all know she later passed away with her crew members August 25, 2001 in Marsh, Bahamas she was 22 years old. She left but she left us all at the top of her game and music success though.

One thing I think she probably wanted the most was to continue being a triple threat, she accomplished as an artist, singer, actress, and dancer. If she were here now I believe she would have produced and made some amazing films, she would have probably done some choreographing as well I am sure. The one thing people do need to know her story, there are so many elements to it, how you should strive for your dream, accomplish it, follow your passion, know your passion, also to always strive, the controversy, the mysterious parts of her, who she was a young woman, the story we didn’t know about her as well behind the scenes. I don't think there's anything much we would find out about her that would disappointing. She never had a dark demeanor or presence. She was bright, bubbly, sweet, and most of her audiences just gravitated towards her all of the time.

Zendaya Coleman will play Aaliyah this coming fall in Lifetime produced film.

Romeo Must Die starring Aaliyah and Jet Li (2000) loved the soundtrack

One thing I love is who they chose as lead for playing Aaliyah they chose for the film coming this fall, "More Than A Woman" is based off of Christopher John Farley's "More than a woman" (December 2001). They chose Disney star & "Dancing with the Stars" veteran, Zendaya Coleman to play her in the film. She is a gifted dancer, she has the grace, style, she can sing, and she also acts as well. You will see her capture the essence of Aaliyah she can glide, slide, do some acrobatic moves, and also incorporated some belly dancing into her moves as well. Her choreographer/friend, Fatima Robinson most likely will work with her on the moves as well I am very You will see her capture all of it. I am looking forward to seeing them show the life and times of "Babygirl" as producers, Timbaland & Missy called her as well. The fans have been waiting a long time for this film to be made especially after others like "Why do fools fall in love" the Frankie Lyman story, "What's love got to do with it?" Tina Turner's story, or The Temptations, or TLC's "Crazy, Sexy, Cool" story. You want it to be accurate and truthful to the story, and truthful to the person's life as well. Looking forward to it this fall and I will have the official trailer posted for you all but in the mean time enjoy some of these Aaliyah hit songs. Visit http://www.aaliyah.com for more information as well.

Beautiful shot, always loved the ending of "More than a woman" video

See you soon my readers, Love you all believe me. If I could see you all I would hug you, maybe I have all ready hugged you and didn't know it lol (wink) We're almost at the 80,000 page views mark. Thank you so much!!!!! =) You make me and help me keep writing these stories. Will be celebrating the blog's 6th birthday Oct.22,2014 is it's birthday.