Zendaya To Play Aaliyah? Twitter Upset Over Casting Choice

The internet doesn’t seem very happy with the decision to cast Zendaya as Aaliyah in the new Lifetime movie about the Princess of R&B.

Zendaya broke the news today on Twitter saying that Aaliyah has been a huge influence during her life.

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

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 16, 2014

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 — Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 16, 2014

Zendaya, a 17-year-old Disney star and former Dancing With The Stars cast member, has an uphill battle ahead of her. Several people sounded off on Twitter this morning saying that she was a terrible choice to play Aaliyah.

Zendaya playing Aaliyah is a stretch..

— Nefertiti. (@PistolsNPearlsx) June 17, 2014

I’m mad because they got someone playing Aaliyah that don’t look like her. . I mean, I guess — |ScHoolGirl Q| (@phattestREBEL_) June 17, 2014

Zendaya my boo but she definitely shouldn’t play Aaliyah

— LightSkinned Mamba (@SkylarsBoo24) June 17, 2014

in what world will zendaya ever look like aaliyah? — // Marianatata // (@marianamcnugget) June 17, 2014

Other people are mad that an Aaliyah movie is being made at all. Why doesn’t Lifetime make a movie based on TLC? Or someone like Whitney Houston?

No shade I loved Aaliyah but y’all doing too much she was no legend. Be glad anybody is playing her at all

— Ms. Cali ♏ (@VTheCaliDiva) June 17, 2014

No shade I loved Aaliyah but y’all doing too much she was no legend. Be glad anybody is playing her at all — Ms. Cali ♏ (@VTheCaliDiva) June 17, 2014

In addition to proving that she can play Aaliyah, Zendaya will also have to prove that she can sing like her. The Disney star will reportedly be recording four songs for the new movie.