Zendaya Coleman is still set to play Aaliyah in Lifetime’s forthcoming biopic on the late singer, whether you like it or not.
And she hasn’t been naive to amount of hate the announcement has brought her Twitter mentions as well.
Undeterred, the 17-year-old Disney actress was more than open to discuss the criticism from 80s babies and color purists alike when greeted by the TMZ cameras.
“A lot of people say I’m not Black enough. Half Black is just enough,” the young star began. Proving that age is indeed nothing but a number, she showed her cultured movie side and even referenced the acting dynamic of What’s Love Got to Do with It. A movie that was released three years prior to her birth. “It doesn’t matter what color you are, it’s about how you portray the character,” Zendaya continued. For those that don’t know, Angela Bassett and Tina Turner, they look nothing alike but she was that character so I think that’s what it’s all about.”
Her father, Kazembe Ajamu also chimed in with playful commentary, “They’re shooting this in the summer. So Zendaya will spending lots of time in the sun. And she’ll get dark enough.”
Earlier in the week, Lifetime announced that Zendaya would be their leading lady in the late R&B’s star’s biopic but there has been greater opposition than just a few trolling fans. Aaliyah’s family have proceeded with legal action to block the network from creating and releasing the film. Keep it locked to Hip-Hop Wired for more of the developing story and ongoing drama.
Check out Zendaya’s LAX interview in the video here.
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Photo: Apaga/WENN
