“I just felt the project wasn’t 100 percent there. I feel [that] production wise everything just felt a little rushed,” she said while on the BET Award Red Carpet.  (June 29).

“And I think because she’s someone I admire and I love so much, it can’t be done halfway, or not to the standards I think it should be done at, so I just decided not to do it,” Zendaya said.

“By all means, when the right project comes along and it’s done the right way I’ll be the first person ready to play Aaliyah, but this wasn’t the right one for me. I’ve been into Aaliyah since I was little, so there wasn’t too much getting into character. I always pretend I’m her anyway.”