As today (Jan. 16) marks what would have been late singer Aaliyah's 36th birthday, actress Zendaya Coleman, who was originally cast to play her in the Lifetime biopic, said she is definitely relieved that she backed away from the role after it got lots of backlash.

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Coleman spoke with Hip Hollywood Thursday and said she did not feel right about being involved with the very controversial movie.

"As a young person I think it is extremely important to follow your gut. Follow your Olivia Pope gut. Go for whatever you feel is right.

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"Nobody can tell you what to do at any kind of age. If you're 15, if you're 10, and something doesn't feel right to you, you don't have to do anything you don't feel good about."

She added that she doesn't necessarily want to be associated with the movie in the future.

"I left the project and it took on its own life. I'm distancing myself from it. All my love just goes to her family."

Coleman exited from the role after it was revealed Aaliyah's family and her core fans were not behind the movie. Actress Alexandra Shipp stepped in and played Aaliyah. But many viewers questioned the validity of the film considering they did not have anyone close to Aaliyah offer their perspective on major and even minor moments of her life. The film also could not use Aaliyah's music because her family did not want to release the rihts.

"I didn't feel good about it. It's important to stand up for myself. I'm just lucky that I have people around me that agree with me and are on my side. I have parents that listen to me and they saw me being miserable and not being happy and not wake up and want to do something. That's what you have to be able to trust yourself."

When asked if she would says he "dodged a bullet," she confessed that some might believe she did, but made it clear that "it's all love."

Take a look.

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