The show must go on. Nickelodeon star Alexandra Shipp has been cast as Aaliyah in the made-for-TV Lifetime biopic, replacing Zendaya. Wendy Williams, one of the film's executive producers, announced the news via Twitter on Friday, July 18.
"I'm excited to exec produce the Aaliyah @lifetimetv movie w/ @DebraMChase," the daytime talk show host wrote. "Prod starts later this month and @AlexShipppp will play Aaliyah."
Earlier this month, Shipp hinted about the good news herself. "It's like God keeps making life better, I swear thank you universe!!!" she tweeted on July 10. "#amazingnewstocome." (Shipp is best-known for her work in the TV series House of Anubis.)
Us confirmed late last month that Disney star Zendaya, 17, dropped out of the project. "Aaliyah has always been a source of inspiration to Zendaya," her official account tweeted. "She was honored to portray her and pay tribute to her. If she is going to do it, she wants to do it right."
Lifetime also tweeted about the shake-up. "We are sad Zendaya will no longer portray Aaliyah. Production is currently on hold."