Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah perfectly. Born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in Detroit, Aaliyah got her first major exposure appearing on the syndicated television series "Star Search" (1983) where she awed the audience with her amazing voice and talent. Withdrawing from the celebrity scene for a few years, Aaliyah lived the life of a normal teenage girl, attending Detroit's Performing Arts High School where she majored in dance. It was around this same time that Aaliyah met singer/composer R. Kelly . Kelly assisted Aaliyah with the production of her debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A number" which scored several number hits, specifically "Back and Forth." The album's title was a brief reference to her short-lived marriage to R. Kelly (she was 15 years of age at the time, and he was in his 20s). Thir marriage was annulled due to her status as a minor. During her senior year, Aaliyah went on to record "One In A Million" which featured the songwriting talents of major R&B producers/writers Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott and Tim Mosley . That album was a major success and sealed Aaliyah's fame forever. After seeing her at an award s show and in the video for her hit song "Are You that Somebody?" (from the Eddie Murphy film Doctor Dolittle (1998)), film producer Joel Silver (producer of The Matrix (1999) and other major actor films) asked Aaliyah to audition for a role in an upcoming romance/action film called Romeo Must Die (2000). With her determination and sex appeal, Aaliyah won Silver over and was cast in her first major film role. Romeo Must Die (2000) was a hit at the box office. This film led to her being cast as one of the stars of the film based on Anne Rice 's Queen of the Damned (2002) and in the two sequels to the major box office hit, The Matrix (1999). During the busy schedule of her film career, Aaliyah took time to record her third album, the self-titled "Aaliyah". July 2001 was a busy time for Aaliyah. After the sucess of her song "Try Again" for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award and won several MTV Video Award s, Aaliyah finally released her "Aaliyah" album. Debut ing at number two on the Billboard charts, "Aaliyah" was a sales success despite many lack-lustre reviews it received. In August 2001, Aaliyah took time off from her busy album promotional tour to fly to the Bahamas to film a video for the song "Rock the Boat". The video, filmed on Abaco Island, was directed by Hype Williams , a major music video director known for his style and wit. On August 25, 2001, after filming the video, Aaliyah and about 9-11 of her entourage took off from Marsh Harbour airport at 6:50pm EDT in a small Cessna 404 en route to Opa-Locka, Florida. A few minutes after take-off, the plane crashed about 200 feet from the runaway killing Aaliyah and many others instantly. Four passnegers were pulled alive from the wreckage, and one later died at a hospital in Nassau. Aaliyah was only 22 years old. Aaliyah's short-lived, but brillant career was a true success story for a young African-American woman who went against all odds to be herself in an industry where originality is scarce. Truly missed by her family, friends, and fans, her music and film contributions will live forever.
Auditioned for a role on the television sitcom "Family Matters" (1989).Chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21." [1999]4 tattoos: The letter "A" on the side of her wrist, an Egyptian Unk in her inner wrist, a music symbol on her ankle and a dove on her lower back.Voted First Place by the readers of Black Men Magazine for "The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year." [2000]Performed with Gladys Knight at age eleven in Las Vegas.Aaliyah's self-titled long awaited third album is released. [July 17, 2001]Got her dove tattoo as a tribute to her grandmother.Graduated from the Detroit High School of the Performing Arts with a 4.0 GPA.Got her big break on the television show "Star Search" (1983).Died in a plane crash on a return trip from shooting a music video in the Bahamas. The crash, which happened in Marsh Harbour, located on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, was determined to have been caused by the plane being overloaded. [25 August 2001]She got her middle name Dana from her grandmother.At the time of her death, Aaliyah and her boyfriend, Roc-A-Fella co-CEO Damon Dash , had plans to wed.Parents: Micheal and Diane Haughton. Brother: Rashad Haughton (born 6 August 1977).At the age of 5, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up.At the time of her death, she was scheduled to reloop her dialogue in Queen of the Damned (2002) and to film the majority of her role for The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003).Posthumous single "More Than A Woman" reaches #1 in the UK. [January 2002]The first female artist to have a posthumous number one single in the UK record charts. [January 2002]In January 2002 she reached No. 1 in the UK with her single "More Than A Woman". She was knocked off the top spot a week later by another deceased artist - George Harrison .At her funeral, 22 white doves were released from the steps of the church. One dove for each year of her life.Younger sister of Rashad Haughton .Auditioned for the Elton John Broadway show, Aida.Her uncle, Barry Hankerson , was formerly married to singer Gladys Knight .Her mother Diane was once a promising solo singer but gave it up to raise her children Aaliyah and Rashad Haughton .She had a close friendship with producer/musical artist Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott .It was announced in November 2002 that good friend Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott is to produce a tribute album to Aaliyah which will include stars finishing off songs Aaliyah was working on before her death in August 2001. In the same month, it was announced that a posthumous Aaliyah album, entitled "I care 4 u", will be released.Was considered for the role of Alex in Charlie's Angels (2000), but casting directors deemed her too young and the part went to Lucy Liu .Was considered for the part of Maggie in Get Over It (2001), but was already committed to Romeo Must Die (2000). Zoe Saldana was eventually cast in the role.Was the first choice to play Valerie in Josie and the Pussycats (2001), but had already signed on for the lead role in Queen of the Damned (2002). Rosario Dawson eventually got the part.Was almost the voice of Leah in Osmosis Jones (2001), but could not accept due to schedule conflicts. The part was eventually voiced by Brandy Norwood .Her grandmother was Native American.She was close friends with Nicole Richie and Beyoncé Knowles .Was originally cast in the title role in Honey (2003) but died before production began. Jessica Alba won the part after her death.Best friend was Kidada Jones .Ranked #36 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.In Arabic, the name Aaliyah means "highest, most exalted one.".Her planned appearance in State Property 2 (2005) was recast with Mariah Carey after her death.Had a 4.0 voice - she was a "soubrette soprano".Her video Try Again was the most viewed video of 2000 - 2001, getting over 85,000 views daily.Was named #7 On "America's Hottest 30 Song birds" of (2001).Her song "Rock the boat" Was the most viewed video of the year 2002 Getting over 56,000 views daily.Had 15 #1 Singles Out of 3 Albums.Ranked #12 On Hollywoods Hottest of 2000.Married R. Kelly when she was only 15 years old. He was 27.As of 2011, Aaliyah has sold 92,000,000 albums across the globe.Before her death, Aaliyah had planned concerts in more than 22 countries around the world to promote her last album.
After many years of sleeping in his coffin, the vampire Lestat awakens only to find that the world has changed and he wants to be a part of it. He gathers a following and becomes a rock star only to find that his music awakens the ancient Queen Akasha and she wants him to become her king...
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In this modern day Romeo and Juliet, kung fu action star Jet Li plays Romeo to hip-hop singer, Aaliyah Haughton's Juliet. Li is an ex-cop investigating the murder of his brother, who had ties with the Chinese mafia in America. Aaliyah plays the daughter of the American mob boss. Neither side approves of their romance, so, obviously, kung fu action ensues, with a soundtrack by Aaliyah.