20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Aaliyah was originally published on ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. She performed on ‘Star Search’ and sang “My Funny Valentine” in 1989.
![She performed on ‘Star Search’ and sang “My Funny Valentine” in 1989.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/122274144.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
2. Aaliyah was the youngest singer to perform at the Oscars with 1998’s “Journey to the Past” from ‘Anastasia.’ She was only 19.
![Aaliyah was the youngest singer to perform at the Oscars with 1998’s “Journey to the Past” from ‘Anastasia.’ She was only 19.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/116901437.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
3. Aaliyah’s name means “highest, most exalted one” in Arabic.
![Aaliyah’s name means “highest, most exalted one” in Arabic.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/118569658.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
4. She is the niece of music legend Gladys Knight.
![She is the niece of music legend Gladys Knight.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/454965448.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
5. Throughout her short career, Aaliyah won more than 30 awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist at the 2002 American Music Awards, Best Actress for ‘Queen of the Damned’ at the 2002 BET Awards and Top Hip-Hop/R&B Artist of the Year at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards.
![Throughout her short career, Aaliyah won more than 30 awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist at the 2002 American Music Awards, Best Actress for ‘Queen of the Damned’ at the 2002 BET Awards and Top Hip-Hop/R&B Artist of the Year at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/778878.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
6. Aaliyah was engaged to music mogul Dame Dash at the time of her passing.
![Aaliyah was engaged to music mogul Dame Dash at the time of her passing.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405375.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
7. The video treatment for her song “4 Page Letter” was written by her brother Rashad.
![The video treatment for her song “4 Page Letter” was written by her brother Rashad.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405394.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
8. She modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, where she met BFF Kidada Jones.
![She modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, where she met BFF Kidada Jones.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/85235642.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
9. She was real-life BFFs with Quincy Jones’ daughter Kidada.
![She was real-life BFFs with Quincy Jones’ daughter Kidada.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/104800595.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
10. She once had a bet with Missy Elliott about who would wear a dress first, because neither of them ever wore one.
![She once had a bet with Missy Elliott about who would wear a dress first, because neither of them ever wore one.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/84255248.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
11. Her final interview was on “106 & Park” just five days before her passing.
![Her final interview was on “106 & Park” just five days before her passing.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/113520641.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
12. She was considered for the role of “Alex” in 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels” film. The role went to Lucy Liu because the filmmakers thought Aaliyah was too young.
![She was considered for the role of “Alex” in 2000’s “Charlie’s Angels” film. The role went to Lucy Liu because the filmmakers thought Aaliyah was too young.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405377.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
13. Aaliyah was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “Journey to the Past” from the animated film “Anastasia.” She lost to “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic.”
![Aaliyah was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “Journey to the Past” from the animated film “Anastasia.” She lost to “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic.”](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/51723466.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
14. She wore her hair covering her left eye, which was an homage to silver screen actress Veronica Lake, whose trademark peek-a-boo hair was worn over her right eye.
![She wore her hair covering her left eye, which was an homage to silver screen actress Veronica Lake, whose trademark peek-a-boo hair was worn over her right eye.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405269.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
15. “Rock The Boat” was written two years before it was released, because the label didn’t think Aaliyah was ready for such a sexual song.
![“Rock The Boat” was written two years before it was released, because the label didn’t think Aaliyah was ready for such a sexual song.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/2225383.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
16. She was also set to play the title character in “Honey,” but the role went to Jessica Alba after her passing.
![She was also set to play the title character in “Honey,” but the role went to Jessica Alba after her passing.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/2248707.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
17. Aaliyah’s toy orangutan, given to her by her grandmother, appeared in a scene in “Romeo Must Die.”
![Aaliyah’s toy orangutan, given to her by her grandmother, appeared in a scene in “Romeo Must Die.”](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/1302822.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
18. In order to get accepted into the Detroit High School of Performing Arts, Aaliyah sang “Ave Maria” entirely in Latin.
![In order to get accepted into the Detroit High School of Performing Arts, Aaliyah sang “Ave Maria” entirely in Latin.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/135427295.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
19. Her untimely death pushed Mary J. Blige to clean up her life after years of alcohol and drug abuse.
![Her untimely death pushed Mary J. Blige to clean up her life after years of alcohol and drug abuse.](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405294.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
20. She has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B and hip-hop, earning her the nicknames “Princess of R&B” and “Queen of Urban Pop.”
![She has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B and hip-hop, earning her the nicknames “Princess of R&B” and “Queen of Urban Pop.”](https://ioneglobalgrind.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/08/82405313.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)