The only problem is that Barry is a well known liar. I'll wait for Diane or Rashad to speak.

Wait so Barry released this. he hasn't been quiet

I wanna see Rashad.

I was about to post this. I heard that her mother is battling cancer. I don't know how true that is.

Me too.

And those cakes

But...nobody even uses Barry though
Unless it's from her brother or her parents I don't know her.

I'm starting to believe that her immediate family IS okay with this and may be working with Lifetime and just didn't say anything to him and he's offended. Zendaya's dad took to Twitter to detest anything written by TMZ. TMZ only has the information they have because they spoke with Barry.

I read that some time ago as well and when asked about it on Twitter Rashad told everyone that she was fine. This family is really going through it. Bless.

They honestly just need to wait a little longer, unless her mother and brother are okay with doing this.

I personally think that if Selena got a theatrical motion picture, Aaliyah deserves the same and not just some sh*tty low budget Lifetime movie. Her story deserves a well thought out script with a good director/cast, and a higher budget.

Change the misleading title to "uncle"

But the TLC movie had like no budget (Vh1) and was done really well. Actually somewhat better than some major big screen documentaries. Similar to The Jacksons: An American Dream which was really good for a TV movie/series and better than some movie theatre biopics.

I don't think the platform matters. I think this is just about money for Barry as it always is. People need to stop thinking Television = cheap.

A real argument would be, it won't reach as many people.

I agree, I feel Selena's story is just as exciting as Aaliyah's. Both rising stars dying at the ages of 22 and 23. But the only difference is Selena's film came out only 2 years after her death so it was still fresh on people's minds. Aaliyah's film is coming 13 years after the fact and I'm not sure how many people are going to rush to theaters to see information they can easily look up on YouTube, you know?

I believe a premiere on both LifeTime/VH1 is appropriate. Maybe if they even teamed up with BET and aired it there. That would be amazing if all formats aired it at the same time.

Do not listen to anything he says. This man has run his man has run his name into the ground. He's desperate for attention now that his last living asset (JoJo) is no longer in his possession. I really believe he knows nothing about this film and is mad that he won't be getting the check.

I agree with all of this. A premiere live on as many networks as they can would be more suitable. A BET, MTV, VH1, Lifetime and maybe Oxygen too would be more appropriate.

So done with this. Not many people would go to see a biopic for an artist that is only revered in the Urban/Black community. Aaliyah died in 2001, when she had 3 albums out. Like, she's not as big as Biggie Smalls or Ray Charles.

He mentions Selena in his statement, but he also forgot that Selena's movie was released roughly 2 years after her death which was still fresh in everyone's mind. Aaliyah has been dead for 13+ years.

If the 2nd best selling female group of all time, TLC, has a television movie (Left Eye also died 12+ years ago), then what makes Aaliyah special and different? I mean, No Scrubs, Waterfalls, Creep, Unpretty and Red Light Special are bigger than any Aaliyah record and CrazySexyCool has sold more in the US than all of Aaliyah's albums combined.

They need to stop acting like Aaliyah is some massive presence in today's society. Comparing her to Notorious B.I.G. & Ray Charles is embarrassing.

I LOVE Aaliyah but tell it!!!

Aaliyah was JUST becoming the star she was going to be at the time of her death, with the highest first sales week in her career and a record breaking #1 single, as well as Grammy nominations. Prior to she was only seen as a figure within the R&B/Hip-Hop community, Aaliyah was no pop star and I believe it was because with One In A Million, and beyond, she took risks musically that just weren't appealing to Pop radio. None other than Try Again and Are You That Somebody.

I don't see people rushing to theaters to see her story, I just don't. But I do see people rushing home to catch it on television and that's okay.

She was no Ray Charles, Biggie or Whitney but she was a strong figure. If you liked music popular music from 1994-2001 then you knew who Aaliyah was but she was no legend. Brandy and Monica were BOTH bigger than her and I don't even see people paying to see their stories in theaters.

But it's not. Selena was murdered by her biggest fan and one of her best friends, which is more interesting than Aaliyah who died in a plane crash. Like I get Aaliyah has some stans but you have to think about it logically.

Betrayal vs an Accident

It sounds awful comparing deaths, but it's what would bring people.

I agree with the Lifetime/VH1/BET idea. That would be a great target audience. Lifetime is kinda but still.

That's very true, there was more controversy surrounding Selena's story but I think the confusion that surrounds Aaliyah's crash is worthy, in it's own right. Even Hype Williams said the plane wasn't carrying any important, heavy equipment because although Aaliyah was done shooting, he still had to get shots of the dancers. I hope they do go into detail about that day because it is maddening and confusing and leaves you wondering "what if things went differently..".

Also, I must say that her influence is seen in music and culture more than ever. Work by rising singer Kelela, Drake and BANKS are proof of this and I believe she has become that icon in death and it's worth making these influences visible to younger generations.