Aaliyah Would Have Beyoncé’s Star Power If Still Alive, Says WNBA Insider
At the beginning of September, Aaliyah’s music catalog was finally released on Spotify and other music streaming platforms. She has also been dominating the charts.
Also at earlier this month, Kath Iandoli was on Clubhouse in Aaliyah’s room and shared her insight on the R&B singer. During the conversation, Iandoli talked about Beyonce and addressed the question if Aaliyah was here today, would Beyonce still be the Icon she is today.
Beyoncé would always be Beyonce. Her destiny was always to be Beyoncé. She was Destiny’s Child, pun intended. So she would always be Beyoncé, and people like to say if Aaliyah were here, there would be no Beyoncé. No, I think Beyoncé was still going to be Beyoncé while Aaliyah was here. I think that is so incorrect, and it just speaks to the misogyny in the music industry to assume one icon has to not be here for the other to flourish when it comes to women. Which I think is completely unfair,” said Iandoli.
WNBA Insider and Founder of ‘Girls Talk Sports,’ Khristina Williams, believe Aaliyah would have Beyoncé star power.
“I think if Aaliyah was still alive then she would have Beyoncé’s star power,” said Williams.
Timberland shared in an interview with the Breakfast Club in 2012, “I think she would have been Beyoncé status ’cause she was the first one who was doing all those things.”
Meanwhile, T-Pain thinks Aaliyah would trying to be like Beyoncé, “If she was still alive, everybody would be like ‘she’s trying to be like Beyonce,” said Pain.
“People try to – and I ain’t discrediting Aaliyah in any kind of way, but you know how sometimes when people die – you know how someone’s an asshole their whole life, but when you go to their funeral [people are] like ‘this man was the greatest man in the whole world’ [Crowd boos]
No, I’m not saying Aaliyah [is an asshole]. Nobody’s good enough because she passed. If she was still alive, everybody would be like, ‘she’s trying to be like Beyonce’ if she was still alive right now. Now that she’s passed, people are like, ‘nobody could be her. Nobody! ’ That’s just how I feel, and that’s how people are. People just look for shit to talk about.”
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
