Keshia Chante Reveals Why She Stepped Away From Aaliyah Role
Keshia Chante, the Canadian singer turned host of BET's 106th & Park, is revealing why she did not feel it was right for her to participate in an upcoming film based on the life of the late singer Aaliyah Haughton.
After previously hinting at auditioning for the role of the upcoming Lifetime movie, Keshia, 25, took to her Instagram account to reveal why she ultimately stepped away from the project.
"After learning more about the situation & how the Haughton family truly felt, I just didn't feel like it was right," Keshia wrote on Instagram. "But at the end of the day, this is just one, of what will be many movies on Babygirl's life. So maybe one day, if it's the right circumstance, timing & I get the blessing, I'll choose to be a part of something."
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Despite her feelings, Keshia called for people to support the 17-year-old actress Zendaya Coleman who was selected to play the part of Aaliyah.
"Until then, keep #Aaliyah's legacy alive & positive," Keshia wrote. "And support my girl Zendaya who is just living out her dreams & working hard to do so! xo KC."
Aaliyah died over 12 years ago in a plane crash at the age of 22. While Aaliyah's family has called for a major studio movie release over the Lifetime film, Zendaya has defended her decision to accept the role.
"I auditioned like anyone else and I worked really hard because it's someone I love and I admire and if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself," Zendaya told Hip Hollywood recently. "This movie is going to be made one way or another and I think it should be made in the best possible way to show her beauty."
Aaliyah's family may not have as much of an issue with the actress portraying the late singer in an upcoming Lifetime movie as they may have with the fact that the film is not going to be on the big screen. Jomo Hankerson, Aaliyah's cousin and president of her Blackground Records label, spoke about his family's issue amid movie protests.
"The problem that we have is that Aaliyah was an icon and she deserves an iconic tribute, not a Lifetime movie," Jomo told the New York Daily News.
