Trivia

Was originally cast in the title role in Honey (2003) but died before production began. Jessica Alba won the role after her death.

(August 25, 2001) Aaliyah and eight other people died in a plane crash on the return trip from shooting a music video in the Bahamas. The crash, which happened about 200 yards from Marsh Harbour Airport on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, was determined to have been caused by the plane being overweight by more than 700 pounds, and with one more person than the plane was rated for.

Had a 4.0 voice - she was a "soubrette soprano".

The first female artist to have a posthumous number one single in the UK record charts. (January 2002)

In Arabic, the name Aaliyah means "highest, most exalted one.".

Performed with Gladys Knight at age eleven in Las Vegas for five nights.

She had fifteen #1 Singles from three albums.

Her song, "Try Again," was the most viewed music video of 2000-2001, averaging over 85,000 views daily over that period.

At the time of her death, she had planned concerts in more than 22 countries around the world to promote her last album.

In January 2002 she reached No. 1 in the UK with her single "More Than A Woman". She was knocked off the top spot a week later by another deceased artist - George Harrison.

At the time of her death, she was scheduled to reloop her dialogue in Queen of the Damned (2002) and to film the majority of her role for The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003).

At her funeral, 22 white doves were released from the steps of the church. One dove for each year of her life.

Was considered for the role of Alex in Charlie's Angels (2000), but casting directors deemed her too young and the part went to Lucy Liu.

Her favorite author was Stephen King.

Graduated from the Detroit High School of the Performing Arts with a 4.0 GPA.

It was announced in November 2002 that good friend Missy Elliott is to produce a tribute album to Aaliyah which will include stars finishing off songs Aaliyah was working on before her death in August 2001. In the same month, it was announced that a posthumous Aaliyah album, entitled "I care 4 u", will be released.

Her mother Diane was once a promising solo singer but gave it up to raise her children Aaliyah and Rashad Haughton.

4 tattoos: The letter "A" on the side of her wrist, an Egyptian Ankh in her inner wrist, a music symbol on her ankle and a dove on her lower back.

Got her big break on the television show Star Search (1983).

Cited Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Sade, En Vogue, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Prince, Naughty By Nature, Johnny Mathis, and Barbra Streisand as musical influences.

Was the first choice to play Valerie in Josie and the Pussycats (2001), but had already signed on for the lead role in Queen of the Damned (2002). Rosario Dawson eventually got the role.

At the time of her death, Aaliyah and her boyfriend, Roc-A-Fella co-CEO Damon Dash, had plans to wed.

Originally cast as "Zee" in the two Matrix sequels, The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003). Aaliyah had filmed many of her scenes but had not completed them all before her unexpected death. The role of Zee was re-cast and re-shot with Nona Gaye in the role, and this was part of the reasons why "Reloaded" was released for summer 2003, instead of either summer or Christmas 2002. (2001)

Married R. Kelly when she was only 15 years old. He was 27.

Her song "Rock the Boat," was the most viewed music video of 2002, averaging over 56,000 views daily over that period.

She had a close friendship with producer/musical artist Missy Elliott.

Recognized for her artistically well choreographed music videos.

Her maternal grandmother was of Native American (Oneida) heritage.

Took Kung-Fu as a young child with her brother Rashad Haughton.

First heard herself on the radio while she was on her way to see the dentist.

Her parents are African-American, and she was also said to have some Native American ancestry.

She was close friends with Nicole Richie and Beyoncé.

Got her dove tattoo as a tribute to her grandmother.

Auditioned for a role on the television sitcom Family Matters (1989) at age 9.

Her most prized possessions were a pillow named Wilson that she took everywhere with her, and her toy orangutan named Lina that was given to her by her grandmother.

Her most famous mega-hit songs were "Back and Forth," "One in a Million," "Try Again," "More Than a Woman," and "Are You That Somebody".

At the age of 5, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up.

Posthumous single "More Than A Woman" reaches #1 in the UK. (January 2002)

Had expressed she had always desired to work with Janet Jackson, whom she had drawn frequent comparison to over the course of her career.

Her uncle, Barry Hankerson, was formerly married to singer Gladys Knight.

(July 17, 2001) Aaliyah's self-titled long awaited third album is released.

She wore silver because she did not like gold.

Was considered for the role of Maggie in Get Over It (2001), but was already committed to Romeo Must Die (2000). Zoe Saldaña was eventually cast in the role.

Her parents are Michael and Diane Haughton. She has one older brother, Rashad Haughton, who was born August 6, 1977.

Was considered for the role of Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (1996) opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. She turned down the role feeling it wasn't the right time for her to break into acting.

Auditioned for the Elton John produced Broadway show, "Aida".

On August 22, 2019, Madame Tussauds honored Aaliyah with a wax figure at their Las Vegas location.

Was almost the voice of Leah in Osmosis Jones (2001), but could not accept due to schedule conflicts. The part was eventually voiced by Brandy Norwood.

Her planned appearance in State Property 2 (2005) was recast with Mariah Carey after her death.

BET's 25 Best Dancers Ever [November 2007] (Ranked: 18).