It seems as though that Lifetime biopic of deceased R&B singer Aaliyah has gotten a new star. After Disney channel actress/singer Zendaya dropped out of the project late last month, the movie has gotten a new star: Alexandra Shipp.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime has tapped the relative unknown actress Shipp for the title role after Zendaya quickly exited the project in June.
Best known for a recurring role on the Nickelodeon program House of Anubis, the 23-year-old Shipp also has acting credits on Switched at Birth, Awkward and Victorious, according to iMDB. But soon, she'll be best known for portraying Aaliyah.
Previously, Zendaya was set to record four of Aaliyah's hits for the movie, but it's unknown whether or not Shipp will take on vocal duties.
Wendy Williams has also entered the project as an executive producer.
Production on the movie, entitled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B was halted for the majority of July after Zendaya exited filming. Now with a new star on board, production on the film is set to resume this summer.
The movie has a tentative release date planned for fall of this year.
The casting switch up isn't the only controversy that Aaliyah: Princess of R&B has faced in recent months.
After it was announced that the film would portray the "More Than A Woman" singer's controversial relationship and marriage to R. Kelly, Aaliyah's family expressed their displeasure with the project and threatened to halt production and not allow the film to use Aaliyah's music.
