Lifetime is resuming its unauthorized biopic of late singer Aaliyah with a familiar talk show host signing on as executive producer. Wendy Williamstweeted  she will be helming the project with Debra Martin Chase.

I'm excited to exec produce the Aaliyah @lifetimetv movie w/ @DebraMChase. Prod starts later this month and @AlexShipppp will play Aaliyah.

— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) July 18, 2014

The executive producers have also found another actress to play the project's central role. According to Williams,  Alexandra Shipp (House of Anubis, Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel) will play Aaliyah. Zendaya Coleman, originally cast as the late R&B princess, dropped out of the project in June.