R and B singer, talented actress, budding soul diva -- by the age of 22, Aaliyah had accomplished more than most dream of, and seemed destined for superstardom. But on August 25, 2001, the dream died in a plane crash. Tim Footman tells the dramatic story of this precocious talent, from securing her first record deal at age 12, to nailing her first number-one hit at 15, to an early romantic involvement with her mentor, R and B producer R. Kelly. The book shows how she became a leading female vocalist, paving the way for other young performers like Destiny's Child and Alicia Keys. The book also covers her brief acting career in such blockbusters as Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned. Dozens of color and black-and-white photos are included in this in-depth biography of the ill-fated princess of R and B.