'Aaliyah' first picture released

Los Angeles: The first picture of actress Alexandra Shipp as Aaliyah has emerged.

Shipp plays the singer in upcoming Lifetime biopic 'Princess of R&B'. The television movie will chronicle the life of the 'Try Again' hitmaker, who died tragically in a plane crash in 2001, reportedly.

Shipp replaced singer/actress Zendaya, who pulled out of the project in June. 'Aaliyah: Princess of R&B' is be based on the bestselling biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. It's thought that the biopic will also explore the singer's controversial relationship with R Kelly.

Production is expected to take place in Toronto, with a Lifetime air date not yet set.