Timbaland Criticizes Lifetime’s Aaliyah Biopic

Timbaland has criticized the new Lifetime biopic based on the life of R&B star Aaliyah in an expletive-filled rant on social media.

The producer was close friends with the Try Again singer up until the plane crash which claimed her life at the age of 22 in 2001.

Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, starring Alexandra Shipp in the title role, premiered on America’s Lifetime network on Saturday, and Timbaland made it clear to his followers he did not support the controversial biopic.

He began his rant on Instagram.com by posting an advert for the film, along with his caption, “Hope yall not watching this!!!!!!!! (sic)”

He proceed to post various fan-made memes, including a fake poster for a biopic of R&B star Ginuwine which featured a picture of director/actor Tyler Perry with the words, “Lifetime be like – ‘close enough!'” at the top, as well as a photo of singer Sisqo and the caption, “Next up on Lifetime, The Eve Biopic”, referring to the female MC.

Timbaland also reposted quotes from fans which read, “Lifetime Disrespects Aaliyah” and “I think everyone (sic) musician portrayed in this Aaliyah movie should sue the hell out Lifetime movie for failure of accurate casting.”

He even called out talk show host and executive producer of the film Wendy Williams, with a meme that read, “Wendy Williams, you know you f**ked up, right?”

Timbaland’s anger didn’t stop there – he also shared videos of himself ranting against the movie, and he said, “A lot of people keep asking me if I’m watching that bulls**t… No way. Not Timbo.”

He continued, “People, thanks for the comments tonight on that bulls**t Aaliyah movie. They have felt Timbo’s wrath tonight, baby, and that’s it.”

The film has been under scrutiny ever since network bosses announced their plans for the movie, as Disney star Zendaya  Coleman was originally cast to play the late singer, but faced a backlash and ultimately dropped out of the role.

She was replaced by Nickelodeon regular Shipp, with newcomers Chattrisse Dolabaille and Izaak Smith portraying Aaliyah’s music mentors Missy Elliott and Timbaland, respectively.

Photo Credit: Lifetime