First Look: See Alexandra Shipp as Aaliyah in Lifetime's Upcoming Biopic of the Late Singer

R&B singer died in a tragic plane crash in 2001

By Gabi Duncan Sep 19, 2014 12:25 AMTags
Aaliyah Movie, TwitterLifetime/Twitter

The Aaliyah biopic has a premiere date.

Lifetime tweeted the first pic of Nickelodeon star Alexandra Shipp as the late songstress in the network's upcoming movie and also revealed when fans can tune in.

"She was the princess of R&B and now her story is being told. #AaliyahMovie premieres Saturday, November 15," the post read.

In the photo, the 23-year-old actress wears her hair long and straight, sporting a bandana reminiscent of the "Rock the Boat" singer as she records in the studio for a scene from the film, titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B.

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage; Jon Furniss/Invision/AP, File

The script for the biopic was based on the Christopher Farley book, Aaliyah: More Than a Woman, which follows Aaliyah's journey from Star Search to her rise to her fame and, finally, her tragic passing.

Shipp was chosen to portray the beloved musician after Disney Channel beauty Zendaya bowed out of the project.

"Aaliyah has always been an inspiration to Zendaya," a source told E! News of the former Dancing With the Stars contestant. "She was honored to portray her and pay tribute to her. If she is going to do it, she wants to do it right."