The journey in the making of late singer Aaliyah's biopic is already controversial one; now sources have confirmed that the Lifetime movie will portray her relationship with R&B singer R. Kelly.

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Executive producer for the film, Debra Martin, told Page Six, "Aaliyah's personal and professional relationship with R. Kelly will be explored with care in the film as we set out to depict her life with the utmost respect.

"Above all else, it's our hope to inspire an entirely new generation with her music and larger-than-life talent."

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The movie will represent the life the More Than A Woman singer lived from the time she was 10 until her tragic and sudden death after a plane crash at the young age of 22. While she was alive, Aaliyah faced rumors that she and R. Kelly, who was her mentor, tied the knot when she was just 15 and he was 27 years old. She is said to have lied about her age and stated she was 18 years old. Her parents apparently caught wind of the union and had the marriage annulled right away.

This could be why Aaliyah's family has expressed their discontent for the movie from the beginning. Her cousin, Jomo Hankerson, who is also President of her label, Blackground Records, released a statement as to why they do not want the film to be created for Lifetime.

He said, "Aaliyah was more than a singer, she was - and is still - an American music icon whose legacy continues to live on and influence today's music culture, just as Ray Charles, Notorious B.I.G., Selena and Johnny Cash. Considering the magnitude of her fans' affection alone, she deserves to have a tribute much more grand than a television network debut that won't even consider the perspectives of those who were closest to Aaliyah. Disregarding the families and dishonoring the legacies of celebrated figures who have passed on, big networks want to exploit their stories for a buck.

"We're here to make it clear that it's not okay! Lifetime Television is trying to dictate the status of our heroes, our heroines and - in this case - our beloved Aaliyah. We implore everyone to call Lifetime Television, send emails and bombard social media so they know we demand respect for our cultural icons. We will not sit idly by while they misrepresent and reap profits from our luminaries. There is more at stake than the public could imagine."

Former Disney star Zendaya Coleman is slated to play the lead role.

Tags
Aaliyah Biopic, Lifetime