20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
1. A Star Is Born
Aaliyah performed on ‘Star Search’ at age 10 and sang “My Funny Valentine” in 1989.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
2. Cinemas Biggest Night
Aaliyah was the youngest singer to perform at the Oscars with 1998’s “Journey to the Past” from ‘Anastasia.’ She was only 19.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
3. R&B Royalty
Aaliyah’s name means “highest, most exalted one” in Arabic.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
4. It Runs In The Family
Aaliyah is the niece of music legend Gladys Knight.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
5. Trophies On Top Of Trophies
Throughout her short career, Aaliyah won more than 30 awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist at the 2002 American Music Awards, Best Actress for ‘Queen of the Damned’ at the 2002 BET Awards and Top Hip-Hop/R&B Artist of the Year at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
6. A Lost Love
Aaliyah was engaged to music mogul Damon Dash at the time of her passing.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
7. The Family Come Up
The video treatment for her song “4 Page Letter” was written by her brother Rashad.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
8. She Had The Looks
She modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, where she met BFF Kidada Jones.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
9. A Famous Ride Or Die
She was real-life BFFs with Quincy Jones’ daughter Kidada.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
10. Put That On Everything
She once had a bet with Missy Elliott about who would wear a dress first, because neither of them ever wore one.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
11. Final Words To The World
Her final interview was on “106 & Park” just five days before her passing.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
12. A Missed Opportunity
She was considered for the role of “Alex” in 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels” film. The role went to Lucy Liu because the filmmakers thought Aaliyah was too young.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
13. A War Of Anthems
Aaliyah was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “Journey to the Past” from the animated film “Anastasia.” She lost to “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic.”
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
14. A Covert Shout Out
She wore her hair covering her left eye, which was an homage to silver screen actress Veronica Lake, whose trademark peek-a-boo hair was worn over her right eye.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
15. Let’s Talk About Sex
“Rock The Boat” was written two years before it was released, because the label didn’t think Aaliyah was ready for such a sexual song.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
16. Always A Leading Lady
She was also set to play the title character in “Honey,” but the role went to Jessica Alba after her passing.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
17. Grandma’s Love
Aaliyah’s toy orangutan, given to her by her grandmother, appeared in a scene in “Romeo Must Die.”
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
18. Gifted From The Start
In order to get accepted into the Detroit High School of Performing Arts, Aaliyah sang “Ave Maria” entirely in Latin.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
19. Inspiring The Greats
Her untimely death pushed Mary J. Blige to clean up her life after years of alcohol and drug abuse.
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
20. She Got The Titles
She has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B and hip-hop, earning her the nicknames “Princess of R&B” and “Queen of Urban Pop.”
20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on globalgrind.com
