I too can be brave for once, and my love is as strong as thine. What will not love discover! The Aaliyah Movie produced by Wendy Williams was not a biography, but it was a tale of love, perseverance and determination. The focus was on a young girl, Aaliyah Dana Haughton, and from day one she knew she wanted to sing, and dance and act. Aaliyah has such a light and a passion in her, she was never normal, always a step ahead. Aaliyah had the determination of a newborn baby. You know how they are born and have no idea about the World, but know they want to explore and love and smile, well, that is the essence Aaliyah possessed. As Aaliyah developed, she had a sense of maturity and wisdom, you would not expect out of a child or a young adult. She excelled in school, she knew of things much older than herself, and with such conviction that you knew she was sincere and not being sarcastic, she really and truly knew what she was talking about.   For example, how when Mrs. Diane was talking about Veronica Lake, Aaliyah knew who she was off the bat, and she was an actress from the 1940s, who had her career cut short. Normally when you are recalling stuff you learned from others, you need a reminder. However, this young girl, Aaliyah, knew of Veronica Lake, as if she was a current popular actress.

 This enchanting story of Aaliyah really captivated because it was about a good, solid, Christian family, who had dinner together, played together and they just shared everything and had open communication. The family was also very humble and appreciative of everything, but did not take no for an answer.  I really liked how Aaliyah was just ahead of her time. She crafted her music and changed her image accordingly so the audience would accept her, and it was real! She really developed and grew right before our eyes. Now the focus of the movie was mainly on Aaliyah’s music and love life. Now when she met with Robert Kelly, he would not even look at her, out of respect for the young lady and her family. However, after working closely, the two fell in love. Robert liked her Aaliyah was just down to Earth, she was not after money, she just wanted a friend and someone to talk to and Robert could not help himself and he fell in love. It was a forbidden love because of the age difference, but the girl knew what she wanted. However, after her daddy found out what was going out, he was hot and had words with Robert Kelly, which dissolved Aaliyah’s relationship with Robert. It was a tumultuous time for the young lady—she was at a level of success others could only dream of and her tender heart fell in love for the first time, but like Juliet and Romeo, it was a love that was not allowed. Aaliyah had to split ties with Robert and it broke her heart. She lost her confidence and felt like he made her. However, Aaliyah’s mother let it be known that her daughter, Aaliyah, was young, independent and self-made. This gave Aaliyah the passion to keep going. Yet, not only did Aaliyah want to make a new album, but she also wanted to become an actress.

 This time around, Aaliyah wanted a new style, and no one knows how, but she found two new producers, Missy Elliot and Timberland, and was told not to work with them, but Aaliyah clutched her strings and respectfully let it be known that she makes her own decisions, and this is what she wanted. And yet again, Aaliyah produced another platinum record. Her style went from Rhythm and Blues to a new techno hip hop, and she was the only African American and young girl out there, in the music industry and really paved the way for Britney Spears and Beyonce. Now, Aaliyah also wanted to get into acting, but before the One in a Million album dropped, Aaliyah was told by Hollywood that African Americans women were not really welcomed in Hollywood and consider being in the background in a movie. Again—respectfully, Aaliyah said, “No, I am going to be a leading star in a film.” Once again, she made it happen. Hollywood was beating down her door to put Aaliyah in a movie. Mainstream America saw her, and not only was she African American, but she was The American Dream. No matter your culture, every female could see themselves as Aaliyah and the men loved her because she was real. So Aaliyah took Hollywood by storm and landed roles in the Matrix II and III, Romeo Must Die, Queen of the Damned, Honey, Sparkle and more. Aaliyah had so many movie offers she never for to accept them all, these are just a few we know about. Hollywood had big plans for Aaliyah, and her music career was doing well, but started to wane a little because Aaliyah was calling the shots and not letting anyone talk under her skirt, so people got upset with her and would not play, “We Need a Resolution.” Not only that, but Aaliyah was so busy that people felt she was out of reach, but she was juggling, filming movies, making music videos, recording music, touring, spending time with her family and had a new romantic relationship with Damon Dash.

 It was clear to Mrs. Diana, Aaliyah’s mother that her daughter was very selective, but she also knew that Aaliyah was in love with Damon, not only because he was nice to her, but he also reminded her of her first love, Robert Kelly. It broke Aaliyah’s heart when Robert got married. Nonetheless, she moved on. I really liked the movie about Aaliyah because no matter if you are rich or have a modest life, you can relate to the love story. Then when you watch Romeo Must Die, and Queen of the Damned, and her interviews, you get a full scope of Aaliyah. Another thing people loved about Aaliyah is people used to steal her material, and she would go home crying because that was her work and others were trying to pass it off as theirs and trying to steal her image, but Aaliyah realized that she was a master, and these girls and guys were her students, and she was teaching them how to be good artist, and let it go. Aaliyah was about peace, love, family, God and perseverance, and she was a great person and a full-on entertainer.  And her voice and style, on every album it is different, and it is so real. How does one go from Hip Hop to contemporary music, in just seven short years? Aaliyah did every style of music you can think of, and all of her albums are really an evolution of her style. My personal favorite is the red album, self-titled Aaliyah. It is just different, edgy. However, all of her music is great, a few American favorites are: Back in Once Piece, At Your Best, Young Nation, One in a Million, Are you that Somebody, Never Giving up, I got you Back, We Need a Resolution, Never no More, More than a Woman, Whatever, What if, I Refuse, All I Need, I Care 4 U, Don’t Worry, and many more. Please check this young lady out at Aaliyah.com