Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on this day in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York. She would have been 41 years old today but, sadly, we lost the singer in a plane crash on August 25, 2001 in the Bahamas. She was only 22 years old.
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A multi-platinum recording artist, fashion icon, philanthropist, and burgeoning actress, Aaliyah left behind a body of work that made an undeniable impact on R&B music and remains a testament to her many talents. Her debut album in 1994, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number,” was a hit due to her debut single “Back and Forth.” However, it was her collaboration with a then unknown Missy Elliott and Timbaland for the album “One in a A Million” that blew her career up. The first single from that album was “If Your Girl Only Knew,” which charted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. See the video below:
Before her death, she also had an up-and-coming acting career in films like “Romeo Must Die” and a role in the “Matrix” sequel.
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Aaliyah once told VIBE, “Of course, I would love to get into acting and I am talking to a few producers now. That would be really exciting to be a jack of all trades and do music, movies and TV. I love drama and I think I could be a good dramatic actress. I have to ‘act out’ emotions in my videos a lot and I try to seem as realistic as possible.”
She continued, “I also would like to make bigger impact on the world by giving back, and using my celebrity to raise money for people who need it the most. What good is having money and being famous if you can’t share it with others less fortunate than yourself? I always felt that you should treat others how you yourself want to be treated.”
Clearly, she would have had a huge career ahead. Aaliyah is definitely missed. See the beautiful images of her below.
Rest in peace, baby girl.
1. KMEL Summer Jam 1997 – Concord CA
Source: Getty
CONCORD, CA – AUGUST 9: Aaliyah performs at KMEL Summer Jam 1997 at Concord Pavillion on August 9, 1997 in Concord California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) vertical,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,topics,topix,bestof,waist up,music,performance,california,1990-1999,live event,performing arts event,concord – california,stage – performance space,aaliyah – singer
2. Aaliyah (as Queen Akasha) 'Queen of the Damned' (2002)
Source: WENN
Aaliyah (as Queen Akasha) ‘Queen of the Damned’ (2002).
3. 2000 MTV Movie Awards
Source: Getty
Aaliyah and Halle Berry during 2000 MTV Movie Awards at Sony Studios in Culver City, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) vertical,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,culver city,sony,halle berry,aaliyah – singer,mtv movie & tv awards
4. Joe Album Release Party
Source: Getty
Aaliyah during Joe Album Release Party at Club Exit, New York City in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,party – social event,usa,new york city,three quarter length,releasing,leaving,album release,aaliyah – singer
5. 2000 Teen Choice Awards
Source: Getty
Aaliyah during 2000 Teen Choice Awards at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) vertical,celebrities,people,full length,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,santa monica,annual teen choice awards,barker hangar,matching outfits,aaliyah – singer
6. Aaliyah File Photos
Source: Getty
Aaliyah The Others Premiere during Aaliyah File Photos at Life Tribute Gala in Bal Harbour, Florida, United States. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,headshot,curly hair,gala,tribute event,gulf coast states,long hair,brown hair,drop earring,bal harbour,florida – us state,aaliyah – singer,premiere event
7. 2000 Teen Choice Awards
Source: Getty
Aaliyah during 2000 Teen Choice Awards at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) vertical,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,three quarter length,santa monica,annual teen choice awards,barker hangar,aaliyah – singer
8. 2000 Teen Choice Awards
Source: Getty
Aaliyah during 2000 Teen Choice Awards at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,headshot,california,santa monica,annual teen choice awards,barker hangar,aaliyah – singer
9. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – Season 8
Source: Getty
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 1824 — Pictured: Musical guest Aaliyah performs on April 26, 2000 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) vertical,indoors,color image,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,portrait,music,television show,performance,california,night,standing,incidental people,singing,choice,r&b,burbank,jay leno – television host,season 8,the tonight show with jay leno,musical guest,talkshow,hip-hop,aaliyah – singer
10. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – Season 8
Source: Getty
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 1824 — Pictured: (l-r) Musical guest Aaliyah during an interview with host Jay Leno on April 26, 2000 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) indoors,color image,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,portrait,music,television show,california,night,guest,singing,laughing,choice,r&b,burbank,jay leno – television host,season 8,the tonight show with jay leno,talkshow,hip-hop,aaliyah – singer,interview – event
11. Aaliyah at The Forum
Source: Getty
Aaliyah (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage) vertical,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,performance,california,1990-1999,inglewood,aaliyah – singer
12. Annual Urbanworld Film Festival
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 27: Aaliyah attends the 4th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival and preview of Kimora new lingerie line ‘Baby Phat’ at Sony Atrium on August 4, 2000 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,adult,one woman only,adults only,new york city,music,film festival,lingerie,baby phat,aaliyah – singer
13. Urban Aid
Source: Getty
Aaliyah attends Urban Aid circa 1995.
14. Aaliyah In Concert
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Aaliyah (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) vertical,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,1990-1999,irvine – california,aaliyah – singer
15. Romeo Must Die Premiere
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Jet Li & Aaliyah Romeo Must Die Premiere during Aaliyah File Photos at Life Tribute Gala in Bal Harbour, Florida, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,looking at camera,portrait,film industry,gala,tribute event,three quarter length,film premiere,embracing,bal harbour,florida – us state,aaliyah – singer,premiere event,jet li
16. Miramax NY Premiere of 'The Others'
Source: Getty
Aaliyah (Photo by DMIPhoto/FilmMagic) vertical,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,adult,one woman only,adults only,aaliyah – singer
17. TNT Presents 'A Gift of Song'
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 27: Aaliyah performs at TNT Presents ‘A Gift of Song’ circa 1997. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,adult,adults only,topics,topix,bestof,new york city,music,performance,black hair,three quarter length,jacket,long sleeved,black color,aaliyah – singer
18. 106 & Park
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Aaliyah, Julian Hawkins, BET Hosts during Aaliyah Awards BET.com Contest Winner, 19 year-old Julian Hawkins of Baltimore, MD, a 2002 Cadillac Escalade and $20,000 at NYC in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,new york city,gambling,winning,baltimore – maryland,human age,contest,cadillac,aaliyah – singer
19. 12th Soul Train Music Awards
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Aaliyah & Missy Elliott during The 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) vertical,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,california,city of los angeles,1990-1999,award,annual event,three quarter length,shrine auditorium,missy elliott,soul train music awards,soul music,aaliyah – singer
20. Aaliyah Instore at Virgin Megastore in London – May 1, 1995
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Aaliyah during Aaliyah made a person apperance at Virgin Megastore in London. at Virgin Megastore in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic) vertical,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,uk,london – england,1990-1999,making,virgin megastore,aaliyah – singer
21. 2001 MTV Movie Awards – Backstage
Source: Getty
Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs and Aaliyah (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,city of los angeles,males,sean combs,aaliyah – singer
22. Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2000 Fashion Show – Backstage
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Aaliyah and guest during Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2000 Fashion Show – Backstage at Macy’s in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by KMazur/WireImage) vertical,people,arts culture and entertainment,usa,new york city,two people,fashion,guest,backstage,fashion show,macy’s,aaliyah – singer
38. Aaliyah With Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z and Dame Dash
