Zendaya won’t play Aaliyah in TV movie

NEW YORK – Dust yourself off and try again Lifetime Network: Zendaya will no longer play Aaliyah in an upcoming film.

A representative for Zendaya confirmed Sunday that the Disney Channel star won’t portray the R&B sensation in a TV film currently in the works in Toronto.

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Lifetime announced Zendaya’s participation two weeks ago. The announcement sparked anger from Aaliyah’s family, which is not participating in the project.

Others on social media suggested that another actress should play the late singer, who died in 2001 at age 22.

Zendaya defended winning the role in an interview with The Associated Press a day after the announcement. The 17-year-old said she wanted to show young people what Aaliyah was able to do.

The biopic was scheduled to film in Toronto in July.