YOUR FAVORITE MTV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Zendaya Says Aaliyah Biopic Was 'A Little Rushed,' So She Dropped Out

‘Because she’s someone I admire so much, it can’t be done halfway,' the Disney star tells MTV News.

Earlier this month, there were very mixed reactions to news that Disney Star Zendaya would play Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic, but none of that matters now, since the 17-year-old has officially dropped out of the project.

Zendaya told MTV News that the film was being pieced together too quickly, and she no longer wanted to be a part of it.

“I just felt the project wasn’t 100 percent there. I feel [that] production wise everything just felt a little rushed,” she told MTV News on the BET Awards red carpet on Sunday evening (June 29).

“And I think because she’s someone I admire and I love so much, it can’t be done halfway, or not to the standards I think it should be done at, so I just decided not to do it,” Zendaya said, adding that she would still be up to the task of playing Aaliyah further down the road.

“By all means, when the right project comes along and it’s done the right way I’ll be the first person ready to play Aaliyah, but this wasn’t the right one for me. I’ve been into Aaliyah since I was little, so there wasn’t too much getting into character. I always pretend I’m her anyway.”

“106 & Park” host Keshia Chante was also in consideration in the role, but so far there have been no details on which actress will replace Zendaya for the part.

Latest News