Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of Aaliyah in 2001, and her mother is accusing a writer of visiting the gravesite to promote an unauthorized biography.
“First and foremost I want to thank my dear ‘Special Ones’ (The Fans) that have been with us for years and supported every endeavor that came our way without hesitation,” Diana Haughton wrote on Aaliyah’s Instagram page. “However, due to the behavior of an individual that has been to Aaliyah’s resting place in order to promote a book, I have been forced to make a drastic change at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum.”
It is unclear what the change is at the cemetery, which is located in Hartsdale, New York.
“This person interrupted all my thoughts and ideas to make August 25th, 2021 a day of Remembrance and Love for my daughter,” Haughton continued, referring to the date of Aaliyah’s death. “Please accept my sincere apologies for this and know I love you and always will. Aaliyah’s life will shine no matter what.”
Kathy Iandoli, who last week published the book, Baby Girl: Better Known As Aaliyah, denies the accusation.
“I did not promote my book outside of Aaliyah’s gravesite. That is offensive to even suggest,” she responded on Instagram. “I have been told that fans have had my book there with them. Please no longer bring my book to Ferncliff. Apologies that fans can not visit Aaliyah’s resting place.”
As previously reported, on August 20, Aaliyah’s second album, 1996’s One in a Million, became available for the first time on all streaming platforms. Spotify will release her entire catalog, with the Romeo Must Die soundtrack following on September 3, her self-titled album on September 10, and the I Care 4 U compilation project, which was released in 2002, on October 8, according to Essence.
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