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Aaliyah Haughton

Aaliyah Haughton67 posts

Aaliyah Dana Haughton, a singer and actress, was born in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, she competed on Star Search at age 11 and performed with Gladys Knight, the former wife of her uncle and manager, Barry Hankerson, at a five-night stand in Las Vegas. She signed a contract with Jive Records at the age of 12 and came to popular acclaim in 1994. On her way home from a music video shoot in 2001, a plane crash killed Aaliyah and eight members of her film crew. She was 22 years old.

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16 Jan, 1979

Aaliyah Haughton born in Brooklyn

Birth0 Comments

aaliyah-infantAaliyah Dana Haughton is born to Michael and Diane Haughton in Brooklyn. Aaliyah is raised in Detroit with her older brother Rashad and attends Gesu Elementary School where she is cast as a lead in the stage play Annie.

My mom was an educator and has a really good head on her shoulders. She keeps me well rounded as an individual as well, making sure I am exposed to a lot of things other kids my age aren’t.

1985

Annie

Play/Show Appearance0 Comments

Aaliyah is cast as an orphan in a school production of Annie. She holds a small part in the production:

I had one measly line, but I made that one line shine.

RARE: Aaliyah in Annie rehearsals (1988)

Competes on Star Search

TV Appearance0 Comments

At 10 years old, Aaliyah sings My Funny Valentine on Star Search. She loses to another child and finishes with a cumulative score of 3.25 out of 4.  Aaliyah:

It was an incredible experience—me and [Ed] McMahon and just being on the Star Search stage because it was a show that I really looked up to.

31 Aug, 1994

Aaliyah, Kelly secret marriage

Marriage0 Comments

aaliyah_rkellyAfter many dating rumors, Haughton and R. Kelly secretly get married at an undisclosed location. The pair become close after Kelly takes Haughton under his wing during her first album, Age Aint Nothing But A Number. 

If I got tired we’d go watch a movie, go eat or whatever, and then come back and work. Me and him we’re really, we’re rather close.

Oct 1994

Marriage annulled

Breakup0 Comments

Aaliyah marriage licenceAaliyah tells the court that she lied about her age on the marriage certificate, claiming that she was 18. Her family is outraged when they learn about the marriage. Aaliyah and family members persuade a judge to immediately annul the marriage. Aaliyah and Kelly end all contact after the annulment.

1994

NY interview

Interview0 Comments

Aaliyah chats about her new debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number, her 4.0 GPA, enjoying the entertainment industry, the R. Kelly marriage rumors, and her close knit family:

My brother is in all the videos, I am very, very close with my family. My brother is like my best friend so he’s like in all the videos, he does a lot with me and we write a lot together. So maybe on the next album we can get a song on there.

Aaliyah ~ Age Ain`t nothing but a Number ~ Interview NY (Rare)

Jan 1995

Video Music Box interview

Interview0 Comments

Aaliyah chats about being 16, getting nervous on stage, R-Kelly marriage rumors, her favorite musicians and addresses a controversy with fellow R&B artist Brandy.

I caught wind of some of it but I don’t pay much attention to that I think there is room out here for all of us…..so good luck Brandy.

May 1995

Live in Amsterdam

Music Performance0 Comments

Aaliyah visits Amsterdam and performs her hit singles Age Ain’t Nothin But A Number and Back & Forth.

I always knew I wanted to sing when I was younger. I lot of people think being in this business that you’re going to be stuck up or snobby and that is not me at all.

Aaliyah Live In Amsterdam 1995

27 Aug, 1996

One in a Million

Single Release0 Comments

Aaliyah releases her sophomore album, One In A Million in the summer of 1996. Produced by Timbaland, the album portrays the singer as a suave and confident hip-hop swooner. The album sells over two million copies.

I was very involved. When I got with the producers, I told them I wanted an album with different moods, different flavors. I wanted to talk about relationships and have party songs.

Aug 1996

If Your Girl Only Knew

Single Release0 Comments

If Your Girl Only Knew is the lead single released from Aaliyah’s sophomore album One in a Million directed by Joseph Kahn. Aaliyah:

I really like how my eyes change color during the video.

Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew [1080p HD Widescreen Music Video]

4 Page Letter

Single Release0 Comments

4 Page Letter, directed by Daniel Pearl, is released from Aaliyah’s second album, One In a Million. Pearl:

The release of this video was one of the first times we really got to see what a great dancer Aaliyah was.

Visits Japan

Music Performance0 Comments

Aaliyah visits Japan, meets Japanese fans, shops for souvenirs and rehearses in a dance studio.

I’ve learned a lot visiting different countries, learning about different cultures and that was the best part about the traveling.

Aaliyah In Japan (ReMastered)

1997

Christmas in Washington performance

Music PerformanceTV Appearance0 Comments

Aaliyah is invited to perform for the annual Christmas in Washington at the National Building Museum. President Bill Clinton delights in the singer’s performance. 

It was really great to perform for President Clinton because he really loves music and you can see the passion in his eyes as he’s watching you.

christmas at the white house performance