August 2001 The Spirit Never Dies : Aaliyah Haughton

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by Shelby J. Jones, Editor The Spirit Never Dies : Aaliyah Haughton Despite the new films hitting the screen this weekend and the amazing success of our midnight screening event last Friday night, the tragic death of Aaliyah Haughton, 22, invades our thoughts constantly along with the other passengers: Scott Galin , Gina Smith, Keith Wallace, Douglas Kratz, Chris Maldonado, Eric Foreman, Anthony Dodd and pilot Luis Morales. The latest news reports about the pilot’s prior arrest for crack and theft are very disturbing. We truly hope that the FAA and federal investigative agencies get to the bottom of what happened. We send our heartfelt blessings to their families and friends and especially Roc A Fella Ceo Damon Dash who shared a special relationship with Aaliyah. While Aaliyah was clearly from the music world, she did grace the silver-screen in Romeo Must Die and did an excellent job. So excellent that she had completed another film project and was prepared to work with Keanu Reeves and Fishburne in the Matrix sequels. She would have delivered – no doubt about it. We have been wondering what does this all mean? Whenever death rears its ugly head in the entertainment community, it touches so many lives just as an artists reaches so many of our lives with their music, performances, words or style. Aaliyah was a treasure – she was the total package. She had all of that and then some. A true, young phenom without the need to shake her ass too much or spit venom for street credibility. She was one of a kind. We want all of you to celebrate her spirit. Remember that awesome hook she performed with DMX - “If at first you don’t succeed, pick yourself up and try again.” Think of that when you are down and her spirit will be with you forever.