Ever since Lifetime announced its plans for an Aaliyah biopic, the project has been riddled with drama. One recast already occurred, but even with Nickelodeon’s Alexandra Shipp on board – the late singer’s family still does not want the movie made.

Aaliyah was a music superstar by age 15, and even back then her life was chaotic. She had an infamous relationship with R. Kelly, then passed away in an untimely death in 2001 at just 22 when her plane crashed. In between the start and end of her career, she score many top 10 hits, including “Are You That Somebody” from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack.

Now, talk show host Wendy Williams and her production company are set to bring the singer’s life to the small screen. A Lifetime movie was originally announced with Disney star Zendaya Coleman in the lead role – but she dropped out of the project after harsh criticism. Many believed she wasn’t dark enough for the part. Not long after all the hate came out, she left even though she was a near dead ringer for the star, despite what people had to say about her skin color.

In her place is another young actress, Alexandra Shipp from Nickelodeon’s House of Anubis. Viewers may also recognize her from Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. She’s 23 and hasn’t received the same backlash Zendaya initially did.

Although Aaliyah’s family is against the film being made, production is still going for Aaliyah: The Princess of RandB. That’s the working title for the film based on Christopher John Farley’s biography about the singer.

It’s had more downs than ups, but is highly anticipated for a winter 2014 premiere on Lifetime.