Wendy Williams, executive producer of Lifetime’s “Aaliyah: Princess of R&B,” didn’t care about Aaliyah‘s biopic’s casting and family disapproval controversies.
She wanted the show to go on. She and the network cast Alexandra Shipp as the late singer who seems to embody Baby Girl’s essence in her own way.
“Lifetime needed to tell this story correctly. Fans won’t say, “Oh, my God, how could you disgrace her memory?” And nosy people like me who want to find out things will also be fine,” she told Billboard about the biopic, which will air on Lifetime Saturday, Nov. 15, 2015.
Williams has been big on showcasing Aaliyah’s controversial relationship and alleged marriage with R. Kelly in the film as well. Therefore, a bulk of the film will be about her personal life.
“Her upbringing,” she added. “How did she meet R. Kelly? What did her parents say when their 15-year-old baby girl brought home a 28-year-old man? Aaliyah was a take-charge young lady with strong opinions about her career. This movie tells all those stories without being distasteful.”
And as for more executive productions Wendy said, “This is the biggest production we’ve done so far. We produced the 2014 Oxygen series Celebrities Undercover. A theatrical film is always a thought. But television shouldn’t be overlooked.”
She added, “Lifetime will also air the Whitney Houston story. The family is up in arms because they feel it should be on the big screen. Five years ago, I would have said the same thing. But TV is where it’s at.”
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