Major Controversies Surrounding Aaliyah: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Aaliyah.

Aaliyah Dana Haughton (1979-2001) was a highly influential American singer, actress, dancer, and model. Known as the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop," she significantly impacted contemporary R&B, pop, and hip hop music. Her career, though tragically short, left a lasting legacy on music and popular culture.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

August 31, 1994: Aaliyah and R. Kelly reportedly marry

On August 31, 1994, Aaliyah, then 15, reportedly married R. Kelly in Sheraton Gateway Suites in Rosemont, Illinois. A marriage certificate surfaced, listing Aaliyah as 18; R. Kelly was 27.

December 1994: Aaliyah comments on her relationship with R. Kelly

In December 1994, Aaliyah told the Chicago Sun-Times that she and R. Kelly were "close" and "people took it the wrong way" when asked about rumors of them being married, urging people not to believe "all that mess."

1994: Allegations of R. Kelly's Abuse between 1994 and 2018

Between 1994 and 2018, R.Kelly's trial involved allegedly abusing 11 girls and women with Aaliyah's marriage being featured in court.

1994: Jamie Foster Brown reports on Aaliyah's relationship with R. Kelly

In 1994, Jamie Foster Brown wrote that R. Kelly told her he and Aaliyah got together and it was "just magic". Brown also reported hearing about a sexual relationship between them and that Aaliyah was seen walking Kelly's dog, 12 Play.

February 1995: Aaliyah's marriage to R. Kelly is annulled

In February 1995, Aaliyah's parents had her marriage to R. Kelly annulled. Both Aaliyah and R. Kelly denied the marriage allegations, claiming the certificate was a forgery.

May 1997: Aaliyah files suit to expunge marriage records

In May 1997, Aaliyah filed suit in Cook County to have all records of her marriage with R. Kelly expunged, due to her being underage at the time of the marriage. Afterwards, she reportedly cut off all ties with R. Kelly.

2000: Aaliyah avoids discussing R. Kelly

In 2000, a spokeswoman for Aaliyah said that when "R. Kelly comes up, she doesn't even speak his name, and nobody's allowed to ask about it at all."

2011: Demetrius Smith Sr. reveals Kelly married Aaliyah after she claimed she was pregnant

In 2011, Demetrius Smith Sr., R. Kelly's former tour manager, revealed in his book that Kelly married Aaliyah after she told him that she was pregnant.

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March 2012: Announcement of Posthumous Album Inclusion

In March 2012, music producer Jeffrey "J-Dub" Walker announced that the song "Steady Ground", which he produced for Aaliyah's third album, would be included in a posthumous Aaliyah album, though Aaliyah's brother Rashad denied Walker's claim.

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July 2013: Timbaland's Disapproval and Apology

In July 2013, Timbaland voiced his disapproval for "Enough Said" and "Don't Think They Know" but later apologized to Chris Brown, explaining that Aaliyah and her death were a "very sensitive subject".

July 18, 2014: Alexandra Shipp Replaced Zendaya for Aaliyah Biopic Role

On July 18, 2014, it was announced that Alexandra Shipp replaced Zendaya for the role of Aaliyah in the Lifetime TV biopic movie Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.

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2014: Jomo Hankerson discusses Aaliyah being "villainized" for her relationship with Kelly

In 2014, Aaliyah's cousin, Jomo Hankerson, stated that Aaliyah was "villainized" for her relationship with Kelly and that the scandal made it difficult to find producers for her second album.

2016: R. Kelly says he was in love with Aaliyah

In 2016, R. Kelly said that he was as in love with Aaliyah as he was with "anybody else."

2018: Allegations of R. Kelly's Abuse between 1994 and 2018

Between 1994 and 2018, R.Kelly's trial involved allegedly abusing 11 girls and women with Aaliyah's marriage being featured in court.

January 2019: Surviving R. Kelly airs, leading to RCA Records dropping Kelly

In January 2019, after the documentary Surviving R. Kelly aired, public pressure escalated, leading to RCA Records dropping R. Kelly from the label.

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February 2019: R. Kelly is indicted on ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse

In February 2019, R. Kelly was indicted on ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

July 2019: R. Kelly is arrested on federal charges

In July 2019, R. Kelly was arrested on federal charges of sex crimes, human trafficking, child pornography, racketeering, and obstruction of justice.

2019: Damon Dash states Aaliyah refused to speak about her relationship with Kelly in private

In 2019, Damon Dash revealed that Aaliyah did not even speak of her relationship with R. Kelly in private; he tried multiple times to discuss it with her, but she would only say that Kelly was a "bad man".

2019: Details of Aaliyah's marriage to R. Kelly revealed in 'Surviving R. Kelly' documentary

In 2019, the documentary Surviving R. Kelly featured Demetrius Smith Sr. describing how he helped Aaliyah forge documents to marry Kelly. Additionally, Jovante Cunningham claimed to have witnessed Kelly having sex with Aaliyah on his tour bus.

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2020: Damon Dash appears in 'Surviving R. Kelly, Part II'

In 2020, Damon Dash appeared in Surviving R. Kelly, Part II.

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August 2021: Announcement of Aaliyah's Music Re-release and Estate's Denouncement

In August 2021, Blackground Records announced that Aaliyah's recorded works would be re-released on physical, digital, and streaming services. Aaliyah's estate issued a statement denouncing the "unscrupulous endeavor to release Aaliyah's music without any transparency or full accounting to the estate".

August 2021: R. Kelly's trial begins

In August 2021, R. Kelly's trial began, where he faced 22 federal criminal charges involving allegedly abusing 11 girls and women between 1994 and 2018. Aaliyah's illegal marriage to Kelly was heavily featured in the court case.

September 27, 2021: R. Kelly found guilty on nine counts

On September 27, 2021, a federal court jury found R. Kelly guilty of nine counts including racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, bribery, sex trafficking, and a violation of the Mann Act. The judge ordered that Kelly remain in custody pending sentencing.