It’s been a tough few weeks for Disney actress/singer Zendaya Coleman. The 17-year-old was on cloud nine after nabbing the chance to portray ‘R’n’B star Aaliyah in an upcoming Lifetime biopic about the late singer’s life.
The backlash originally started when Aaliyah’s family expressed their upset at not having been consulted over the film. Now, fans of the star have unleashed a barrage of criticism on the young actress claiming that not only is she too young to play Aaliyah, she’s also isn’t ‘black enough’.
Despite maintaining a relatively low profile in the midst of the press circus, Zendaya finally addressed detractors with a classy statement: “A lot of people say I’m not black enough. Half black is just enough. It doesn’t matter what color you are, it’s about how you portray the character. For those that don’t know, Angela Bassett and Tina Turner, they look nothing alike but she was that character so I think that’s what it’s all about.”
What do you think? Do you agree with the casting choice?
