The Robertson Treatment- One In A Million: Aaliyah Remembered

Aaliyah’s untimely death in a small plane crash in Abaco, Bahamas, where she was shooting the video for "Rock The Boat" off her self-titled third album, was a shock to the R&B community who knew that the rising star was much more than another pretty young diva. She not had three multi-platinum albums and a budding movie career that included last year’s Romeo Must Die (and a hit off its soundtrack, too)—but was on the verge of becoming what she called an "everything star" a la Diana Ross or even Barbara Streisand. She crossed over into pop, and then from the pop scene into the Hollywood scene....not an easy feat.

At the time of the crash, Aaliyah was reportedly reading new scripts and also anticipating the upcoming release of "Queen Of The Damned", in which she has the title role. A huge fan of horror films, Aaliyah was completely thrilled to get such an opportunity. She was also looking forward to traveling to Australia later this year to complete shooting parts for the "Matrix" film franchise. Aaliyah also confided to usr that she was looking forward to her roles in these movies to make her a big star in Hollywood...somebody who can pick and chose whatever they want to do. If you talk to any media person who had interviewed the young superstar, they will tell you that Aaliyah always seemed to appreciate the press and take a personal interest in their lives and families. She was always happy to do the "autograph and photo thing" and was happy to linger long after an in-store CD signing was scheduled to end. She said once to me, "I feel so badly if everyone on the line didn’t get what they came for. I know that when I used to go to meet people at these things I would be sad if they’d close up before they got to me."
My last memory of Ms. One In A Million is the interview I conducted at New York’s Trump Hotel a couple of months ago. The young singer/actress’ positive energy was indeed contagious. When I asked how she held it all together under the pressure of being a huge star at only 22, she responded, "I meditate a lot and try to think good thoughts all the time. I like to remember that God is in my heart and leading me the way through any setbacks I might have and at the same time giving me guidance in my career. I wear a diamond cross not to be flashy, but because my faith is strong and I want a reminder of Jesus around my neck everyday."

She reconfirmed her status as a "regular girl" as she tugged on the waist of her stretchy black midriff top, revealing part of a tattoo with her grandmother’s name on it: "You have to stay grounded no matter how successful you become. I am just an around-the-way girl who just likes to sing and act. I am not a diva. I want to do good things with my fame and I have a special interest in helping out those with Parkinson’s disease since it runs in my family. I have had to give up stuff like being in a normal high school graduating class and going to the prom, but it’s been worth it.

"I feel grateful that I have had endless opportunities to perform all over the world and meet new people. Nothing beats it. It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth path and sometimes I feel like I am living in a glass house, but it’s been fun and exhilarating for the most part."" Before releasing the Aaliyah CD in July, she had taken a couple of years off from the music business. I remember being impressed that it was to not just get her head together, but to give her brother a leg up in the entertainment business. She remarked, "I took time off from recording because I wanted to build up an acting career, and not just pick out any old project. I also wanted to help my brother Rashad get moving as a screenwriter and director. Plus, I wanted some quality family time and to hang out and be a normal person. My brother and I work on screenplay and songs together, and you’ll see a couple of tracks we wrote together on the new album. It’s really exciting to have him working with me."

Aaliyah was taken before her time, but as the old saying goes, only the good die young—and there’s a hell of a band up there in heaven. As we go to press, we are hearing through the R&B grapevine that several of her favorite possessions, including some sophisticated Versace threads and stage clothes, will be auctioned off to benefit Parkinson’s Disease and children’s charities. It’s something Aaliyah would have loved. She told me the last time I interviewed her that she felt that her grandmother was her guardian angel—undoubtedly, they are doing some catching up in heaven right now.—Anne M. Raso

Two new plays are currently earning raves in Los Angeles, the ensemble drama "Hills Above the Hood" and the one-woman "In Real Life" starring Charlayne Woodard. Both are a good bet for your money. If you’re headed for the Big Apple soon you want to check-out "top Dog, Underdog" Starring actors Don Cheadle and Jeffrey Wright, the production is currently earning rave reviews at the Public Theatre in Manhattan.

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Email us at: gilrobertson@robertsontreatment.com