Loved ones are revisiting their final moments with Aaliyah before her tragic passing decades ago.
People who worked closely with the singer, particularly on her last music video project, just days before her death, have the memories replaying. She was killed in a fatal plane crash on August 25, 2001, along with other members of her crew.
Aaliyah was an actress, singer, model, and dancer. Her career in the music industry kicked off early, and due to her unique musicality, she was known as the princess of R&B.
Carmit Bachar, who served as one of the nine backup dancers in August 2001 for Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” music video, recalls the last time she saw the singer. The incident remains fresh in her memory as if it were yesterday, not 25 years ago.
I have this image in my mind of Aaliyah and her team on the yacht as they fatefully sailed away while we all waved and collectively shouted goodbye,” Bachar said in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “At the time, it was just a goodbye. None of us could have known what it would come to mean.”
The musician had traveled to the Bahamas to film the music video with her team on August 23. Bachar recalled the fun they had working on the project, revealing that during their free time they enjoyed playing, swimming, and riding little golf carts.
Lesley Nicole Lewis, who also danced in the iconic yacht scene, resonated with the memories, saying, “We would create silly songs and joke about random things. It was pure joy.” She also recalled Aaliyah telling them they would meet back in New York for their next rehearsals. “I never ask artists for photos, but I’m really glad we captured the moment that day,” Lewis said of their last moment together.
The Singer Was Reportedly Skeptical About Getting On The Plane
Aaliyah was initially supposed to stay in the Bahamas until August 26, but after completing her shoots for the video, she made the decision that ultimately resulted in her death.
The singer decided to fly out a day earlier with seven members of her crew. At 6:50 p.m on August 25, they boarded a twin-engine Cessna 402B, and less than a minute after takeoff, the plane crashed.
The aircraft hit the ground 200 feet from the runway and burst into flames, killing the model and five others, including the pilot, Luis Antonio Morales, instantly, while the other three passengers died shortly after.
Her then-boyfriend, Damon “Dame” Dash, revealed that she was not too comfortable boarding the plane but decided to push her fears aside for the video. “She texted me saying, ‘I don’t like the plane.’ I told her, ‘Don’t get on it.’ However, she said she had to do it for the video,” Dame said, recalling that she always had a fear of flying.
An eyewitness, Kingsley Russell, who was 13 at the time and worked for his family’s transportation company, claimed he heard Aaliyah say she did not want to board the plane.
He also claimed she complained of a headache, and he saw a member of her team give her an unidentified pill. Russell said the singer subsequently fell asleep after taking the pill and was carried aboard.
Aaliyah Remembered For Her ‘Professional’ Acting Skills
Michael Rymer recalls meeting Aaliyah for the first time before she landed her role as Akasha in her final screen project, “Queen of the Damned.” He shared that he met the singer and her brother, Rashad Haughton, in Toronto even though he wasn’t familiar with her at the time.
Rymer recalled that he warned the actress about the part she was vying for, telling her it was “way outside” what she had been doing in the music industry and that the role would be “challenging,” but that did not faze her.
She reportedly told the filmmaker, after accepting his invitation to a screen test, that she was ready to work as hard and as long as it takes. “I want you to have complete faith in me,” he recalls her saying. Rymer admits during his conversation with Us Weekly that he put her “through the wringer” because he wanted to challenge Aaliyah during the audition.
She eventually landed the role and put in hard work and dedication, even learning an Egyptian accent. “She had no ego. She was a professional who worked. There was no limit to the amount of work that she would put into something,” Rymer said, noting that the film came out beyond expectations thanks to Aaliyah’s magic on set.
Inside The ‘Romeo Must Die’ Actress’ Rise To Stardom
Aaliyah started singing as a child in Brooklyn, New York. Her mom, Diane Haughton, got her involved in vocal lessons, and she performed in churches, weddings, and charity events. In 1989, 10-year-old Aaliyah appeared on “Star Search,” where she performed “My Funny Valentine”
Her uncle, Barry Hankerson, played a pivotal role in her career when she was 14, signing her to his record label, Background Records, in 1993. He also introduced her to Robert Sylvester “R. Kelly” Kelly, who became Aaliyah’s mentor.
Her debut album “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” was released in 1994 and sold two million units. It was certified double platinum and nominated for a Billboard Music Award that same year. The following year, the album was nominated for an American Music Award and two Soul Train Music Awards.
By 1996, the industry star signed with Atlantic Records and collaborated with other producers to release her second album, “One In A Million.” The sophomore album sold three million units, was certified multi-platinum, and was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album.
She had a promising career in the movie industry, starring in “Romeo Must Die” alongside Jet Li in 2000. As detailed by Blackpast, her self-titled final album, “Aaliyah,” was released in 2001 and sold 2 million units.
Industry Stars Paid Tributes To Aaliyah After Her Tragic Death
Music producer Timothy ‘Timberland’ Zachery Mosley, who collaborated with the late actress on her second album, expressed his grief in a statement in which he described Aaliyah as brilliant and the most special person he ever met. “She was like blood, and I lost blood. Me and her together had this chemistry. I kinda lost half of my creativity to her,” Timbaland said at the time.
NME detailed that Sean John Combs, popularly known as P. Diddy, also spoke to media outlets, saying that the singer had so much potential ready to be unlocked. He also said that she always wore a smile that lit up rooms she walked into.
Late rapper DMX, who passed away in 2021, starred with Aaliyah in “Romeo Must Die.” In his tribute, he noted that the actress was “talented, classy, warm, beautiful, compassionate [and] humble… a down-to-earth sister.”
Fans also honored Aaliyah in her hometown. They gathered outside her alma mater, Detroit High School for Fine and Performing Arts, for a spontaneous candlelit vigil.
Aaliyah is long gone but surely isn’t forgotten!
