Zendaya Coleman hit the headlines when she quit the starring role in the Lifetime biopic of R&B star Aaliyah recently.

And now the 17-year-old Disney star has taken to Instagram to dismiss rumours that it was negative fan reaction that led her to depart the project - posting a three-part video message on the subject.

She posted a video on the social networking site, saying: "Let me just explain something. The reason why I chose not to do the Aaliyah movie had nothing to do with the haters or people telling me that I couldn't do it, I wasn't talented enough, or I wasn't black enough.

"It had absolutely nothing to do with that. The main reasons were that the production value wasn't there, there were complications with the music rights, and I just felt like it wasn't being handled delicately considering the situation."

But she did admit that concerns from the late singer's relatives had been a factor.

"I tried my best to reach out to the family on my own, and I wrote a letter, but I was unable to do so.

"Therefore, I felt not really morally OK with moving forward with the project."

She offered her replacement Alexandra Shipp nothing but good fortune with the role however.

"I only hope she does not have to deal with half the hate that I had to deal with. And remember that we are all human beings trying to do what we love to do.

"Let's practice motivation and love — not discrimination and hate. All right?"