Timbaland blasts Aaliyah TV biopic
Superproducer Timbaland has criticized the new TV biopic based on the life of R&B star Aaliyah in an expletive-filled rant on social media.
The hitmaker was close friends with the Try Again singer up until the plane crash which claimed her life at the age of 22 in 2001.
A TV movie called Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, starring
Alexandra Shipp in the title role, premiered on America's Lifetime
network on Saturday (15Nov14), and Timbaland made it clear to his
followers he did not support the controversial biopic.
He began his rant on Instagram.com by posting an advert for the
film, along with his caption, "Hope yall not watching this!!!!!!!!
(sic)"
He proceed to post various fan-made memes, including a fake poster
for a biopic of R&B star Ginuwine which featured a picture of
director/actor Tyler Perry with the words, "Lifetime be like -
'close enough!'" at the top, as well as a photo of singer Sisqo and
the caption, "Next up on Lifetime, The Eve Biopic", referring to
the female MC.
Timbaland also reposted quotes from fans which read, "Lifetime
Disrespects Aaliyah" and "I think everyone (sic) musician portrayed
in this Aaliyah movie should sue the hell out Lifetime movie for
failure of accurate casting."
He even called out talk show host and executive producer of the
film Wendy Williams, with a meme that read, "Wendy Williams, you
know you f**ked up, right?"
Timbaland's anger didn't stop there - he also shared videos of
himself ranting against the movie, and he said, "A lot of people
keep asking me if I'm watching that bulls**t... No way. Not
Timbo."
He continued, "People, thanks for the comments tonight on that
bulls**t Aaliyah movie. They have felt Timbo's wrath tonight, baby,
and that's it."
The film has been under scrutiny ever since network bosses
announced their plans for the movie, as Disney star Zendaya Coleman
was originally cast to play the late singer, but faced a backlash
and ultimately dropped out of the role.
She was replaced by Nickelodeon regular Shipp, with newcomers
Chattrisse Dolabaille and Izaak Smith portraying Aaliyah's music
mentors Missy Elliott and Timbaland, respectively.