Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"I think the cornerstone of her story is the dichotomy between her being this R&B star and her marrying this old man," Williams said. "Like who does that?"Unsurprisingly for a project focusing on a dead celebrity who lived a turbulent life, the film has seen its share of behind-the-scenes drama, including vocal opposition from Aaliyah's family and a public outcry over casting choices. Disney star Zendaya was first cast in the role, but after Aaliyah's fans questioned the young star's emotional maturity and physical resemblance, she backed out.Since Williams became executive producer, the critical backlash appears to have subsided. Making a film might seem like a far cry from William's interviewing background but it's not a complete stretch when you consider that Williams has been engrossed in the central tragedy of Aaliyah's life for decades. As a radio host, the marriage controversy proved to be a compelling run of events for Williams and her viewers: "I was on fire on the radio at the time that that happened," she told me. "The Cook County courthouse—a Wendy fan was in there and gave me the pleasure, a favor, of sending me the marriage license, undoctored, and I talked about it on the radio. It was a fact. They were married."
Advertisement