Aaliyah 10th Anniversary Show 'One in a Million' to Air on BET Network (Video)
Black Entertainment Television (BET) can expect fans of R&B singer Aaliyah to tune in tonight in droves as the network airs a special marking the 10th anniversary of the popular singer's death.
In a special entitled "Aaliyah: One in a Million," BET plans to "celebrate" the young singer's life with special footage and commentary from those in the music industry who were closest to Aaliyah.
"The special will feature commentary from Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Damon Dash, Nadine Ellis, Patti Labelle, Kelly Rowland and more," according to BET.com.
Aaliyah, born Aaliyah Dana Haughton, died on Aug. 25, 2001, when the small passenger plane carrying her and her video crew crashed over the Bahamas. The plane, headed to Miami, Fla., had been carrying Aaliyah and eight other people.
Aaliyah, who was 22 at the time, was well established in the music industry and had recently turned to a burgeoning Hollywood career, staring in films like "Romeo Must Die" with Jet Li (2000) and in 2002's "Queen of the Damned," an adaptation of Anne Rice's novel of the same name.
In 2001, before her death, Aaliyah had also singed on to appear in the final two "Matrix" sequels, staring alongside Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne.
The singer and actress is survived by her parents and older brother.
"Aaliyah: One in a Million" airs Thursday night, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. EST on BET.
Quick Facts about Aaliyah:
- Born Jan. 16, 1979 in Brooklyn, N.Y. (raised in Michigan)
- Competed on "Star Search" at 11 years old
- First album, Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, debuted in 1994
- Rumored to have married R. Kelly at 15 before allegedly annulling the marriage
- Released her second album, One in a Million, in 1996
- Released her third album, Aaliyah, in 2001
BET.com has made available various video footage of Aaliyah, such as this one below showing the singer's first appearance on "106 & Park."