<p id=”par-1_53″>Aaliyah’s untimely death left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Despite her short career, she achieved an iconic status in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/hip-hop/?swcfpc=1″>hip-hop</a>, and her influence continues to resonate. This year, Aaliyah’s brother planned a special tribute to the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aaliyah-favorite-song-from-her-iconic-last-album.html/”>“Try Again” singer</a>, motivating her longtime fans to support her legacy in a new way.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-aaliyah-s-death-revisited-24-years-later”>Aaliyah’s death revisited 24 years later</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Aaliyah-2000.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Side by side photos of Aaliyah at two different media events in 2000″ class=”wp-image-3765726″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Aaliyah at a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show (L) and a film festival (R) in 2000 | KMazur/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_53″>Aaliyah would’ve been 46 years old on January 16, 2025. Instead, the world lost a promising star. On August 25, 2001, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aaliyah-birthday-life-death-and-music.html/”>she departed the Bahamas</a> after filming the music video for her future hit single “Rock the Boat.” Aaliyah and eight others boarded a twin-engine Cessna 402B to return to the U.S. </p>
<p id=”par-3_48″>Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed and all nine people on board died. Investigations revealed that passengers and equipment significantly overloaded the plane, reports<a href=”https://www.kreindler.com/cases/aaliyah-killed-tragic-cessna-402b-crash-abaco-island-bahamas” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> Kreindler LLP</a>. Additionally, the pilot had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. He did not have a license to fly the aircraft.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Aaliyah-funeral-family-2001.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Fans cry as Aaliyah’s father Michael Haughton, mother Diane Haughton, and brother Rashad Haughton walk behind Aaliyah’s casket at the funeral” class=”wp-image-3765724″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Fans mourn Aaliyah’s death at a candlelight vigil in LA; Aaliyah’s father Michael Haughton, mother Diane Haughton, and brother Rashad Haughton at the funeral | Steve Grayson/WireImage; Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_70″>At 22, the “<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/aaliyah-chose-to-self-title-her-third-studio-album-for-a-significant-reason.html/”>Princess of R&B</a>” had already broken barriers in Hollywood, starring in films like 2000’s <em>Romeo Must Die</em>. She quickly became a fashion icon with her sleek, futuristic style, including crop tops, baggy pants, and ’90s hairstyles. This made it easy for her brother, Rashad Haughton, to emulate her trademark style 24 years later as he and Aaliyah’s estate partnered with Mattel to create an Aaliyah Barbie doll.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-aaliyah-barbie-doll-sells-out-instantly”>The Aaliyah Barbie doll sells out instantly</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Aaliyah-brother-Rashad-Haughton-2021.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Smiling with her brother, Aaliyah sits near the front at MTV 20th Anniversary party on August 1, 2001″ class=”wp-image-3765721″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Aaliyah with her brother Rashad Haughton at an MTV party on August 1, 2001 | Evan Agostini/ImageDirect</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_82″>Inspired by her “One in a Million” music video, Haughton curated the moto outfit of Aaliyah’s Mattel Barbie doll. It became an instant bestseller when it dropped online on January 16. The addition to the Barbie Music Series sold out as soon as it became available to preorder. Aaliyah’s estate, managed by Haughton, shared on <a href=”https://x.com/aaliyah/status/1879898657803354170″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>X</a>, “Barbie honors the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/19-years-after-her-death-what-aaliyah-said-she-wanted-her-legacy-to-be.html/”>Princess of R&B’s unmatched legacy</a> as a once-in-a-generation talent. The Aaliyah Barbie doll remembers her iconic style, keeping her influence alive across generations.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Aaliyah-Barbie-Mattel-2025.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Two side by side photos of the Aaliyah Barbie doll released to the public on January 16, 2025″ class=”wp-image-3765723″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Mattel’s Aaliyah Barbie doll | Black Girl Nerds via <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlnerds/p/DE3mEzCJRky/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a></figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-6_79″>Haughton spoke with <a href=”https://people.com/aaliyah-brother-says-she-would-be-biggest-star-exclusive-8776143″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a> about his late sister. He shared that <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/jay-z-lost-competition-aaliyahs-romantic-attention.html/”>Aaliyah</a> loved to celebrate birthdays, so she’d likely feel “elated” with having her own Barbie doll released on her birthday. “I can see her playing with these dolls wherever she is right now, which I know is heaven and in a beautiful place,” Haughton explained. “And she’s going to have a doll with her, and be doing all the dance moves from ‘One in a Million’ with it.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Diddy-Aaliyah-Notorious-BIG-1994.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Rapper Sean Combs, singer Aaliyah, and rapper the Notorious BIG pose together during a media event in Negril, Jamaica, in December 1994″ class=”wp-image-3765722″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Aaliyah, and the Notorious BIG in Negril, Jamaica, in December 1994 | Nitro/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-7_77″>Haughton, who manages <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/1994-aaliyah-song-problematic-many-reasons.html/”>Aaliyah’s</a> estate, told People, “I do often talk to her in times of trouble, or when I’m really missing her.” He confided, “I talk to her in my heart, in my mind, in my dreams.” What would he say if he could speak with Aaliyah now? “I love you, and I’m so proud of you, and let’s enjoy this together. I know you’re smiling. And let’s hold this doll. Let’s share it with everyone.”</p>