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Back in 2012, there was talk that Taylor Swift was in line to play folk’s own Joni Mitchell in a silver screen biopic based on the book Girls Like Us, which chronicles the influence the folk legend, as well as Carol King and Carly Simon, had on the music industry. All the while, the 1989 singer admitted that she’d be totally down to play Mitchell, but nothing had been solidified. Why? Well, apparently Mitchell just wasn’t that into having Swift play her in the film, so she squashed the film. Read More »
Late R&B singer Aaliyah married music producer/singer R. Kelly at the tender age of 15. Aaliyah's family was clearly not pleased when they heard the news. The new Lifetime biopic, "Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B," recreated the moment the late singer brought home her new husband, 28 at the time. "You did what?!" asks Aaliyah's father (Sterling Jarvis). "Did you lie on the marriage license?" Check out the clip here: In real life, "Vibe Magazine" later uncovered that Aaliyah (Alexandra Shipp) did lie about her age. In a published marriage license, her age is listed as 18. The "marriage" lasted about seven months and was annulled by her parents in February 1995. According to "Essence," talk show host Wendy Williams, the movie's executive producer, said it was important to portray the scandalous relationship in the film. Williams recalled telling Lifetime they had to "get this Aaliyah movie right." "I was very popular on the radio for Aaliyah's rise and untimely death. I want to hear about R. Kelly ... Don't skate over it. This needs to be a big plot line," she said. Music critic Jim DeRogatis has found some issues with the film's portrayal of Aaliyah and Kelly's relationship. In a blog post, DeRogatis, who has covered Kelly's career extensively, writes that fans "deserve better than the sanitized, soft-pedaled version of her disturbing sexual relationship with Chicago producer R. Kelly when she was 14 and he was 27." DeRogatis adds that court documents show that the relationship was "one of abuse and victimization, far from the 'puppy love' seen in 'Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.'" Read More »
The highly anticipated film, "Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B" is airing tonight on Lifetime at 8 p.m. EST. Actress, Alexandra Shipp, has taken the role of Aaliyah in the biopic, after Zendaya Coleman (the original choice) resigned. MStars News recently reported the movie underwent some controversy earlier this year when it was announced that Coleman would be taking on the role of the R&B singer. After facing some pretty harsh criticism and scrutiny, however, the Disney star backed out of the project, leaving the door open for Shipp to take over the lead role. Coleman explained that it was the production and where the project was heading that made her uncomfortable starring in the film. Read More »
For "Essence's" November career issue, the magazine invited a quintessential Renaissance woman to guest edit their pages: Queen Latifah. The singer, actress, CEO and daytime TV talk show host owns a Grammy and a Golden Globe, as well as an Oscar nomination for her decades of work. In an exclusive interview with Essence, the star shared her secret to success and how she juggles so many careers. Read More »
For all those Smash fans that are still devastated by the show's cancellation, we have some pretty awesome news for you. It has just been confirmed that Lifetime is working on a new miniseries about the life of Marilyn Monroe and one of our favorite actresses of all time Susan Sarandon has just landed one of the big roles in the project. Read More »
The late actress Brittany Murphy is coming to a TV screen near you. Lifetime has just announced that a two-hour movie about Murphy's life will air on the network on September 6. The biopic will naturally be titled, The Brittany Murphy Story. Read More »
Could the new James Brown biopic Get On Up be good enough to garner the film's little-known lead an Oscar? Chadwick Boseman has already shown the world he can embody sports legends with his portrayal of a young Jackie Robinson in 42, but many wondered if he could pull off the "Godfather of Soul's" signature splits, funky foot shuffling, and completely capture Brown's all-around presence. But there is no doubt Boseman was up to the challenge. Read More »
Rolling Stone Mick Jagger spoke briefly about L'Wren's Scott's suicide with Matt Lauer in an interview on Today to promote the James Brown biopic Get On Up which he produced. Read More »
OutKast fans will be excited about this story. Outkast member, Andre 3000 is playing the role of musician Jimi Hendrix in the new biopic: All Is By My Side. Read More »
Comedian Richard Pryor's family says they don't want actor Nick Cannon to play their father if a biopic does go into production. Read More »
Nick Cannon may have been casted to play Richard Pryor and hinted to "TMZ Live" that he is embodying the comedian by growing out his hair and beard while chain smoking cigarettes. Read More »
Looks like Lifetime will have to try again in finding someone to play Aaliyah in their upcoming biopic about the singer after actress Zendaya Coleman has stepped down from the project. The Disney Channel star opened up about her decision to drop out of the film at the BET Awards Sunday night. Read More »
Is Zendaya Coleman Aaliyah's biopic replacement singer Rihanna? After so much negative backlash, there are reports that the "Diamonds" is being considered for the Lifetime role. Read More »
