Timbaland Reveals Secret Love for Aaliyah: 5 Other Men Charmed by the Singer

“Baby girl, better known as Aaliyah,” as producer Timbaland so charmingly put it on the 1998 track “Are You That Somebody” was one of the music world’s most alluring and stunning figures during her short life on stage, charming millions of fans as well as some of the music industry’s most prestigious men. And while many knew Aaliyah had many men bowing at her feet, no one suspected that one of them was her famous producer, Timbaland. But in a revealing new episode of E!’s “True Hollywood Story,” which airs  Dec. 19, Timbo admits for the first time that he was once in love with his young musical partner.

“When I first met Aaliyah — it’s time for the world to hear this, I’m gonna give a little secret — I was in love with her,” Timbaland admits on camera for the first time. He went on to explain why he never acted on his strong feelings. “I said, ‘She [is] just a baby, I’m old. I’m just gonna be her brother.’ Oh man, I was fightin’, I was fightin’ a lot — a big war. But I loved Aaliyah.”

As we all know, Timbo’s love remained unrequited, though he and Aaliyah would maintain a close personal and musical relationship up until her tragic death in 2001. Timbo’s Aaliyah confession definitely comes as a surprise, but he’s not the only man to fall under the charm of Aaliyah. Here are six other men who were enraptured by the singer. –nicholas robinson