More than 20 years after Aaliyah’s untimely passing, former backup dancer Lesley Nicole is sharing personal memories from the singer’s final days. During a recent appearance on Shawn Stockman’s On That Note podcast (April 9, 2025), Nicole opened up about the emotional and eerie experience of filming Aaliyah’s last two music videos—More Than a Woman and Rock the Boat.
Nicole, who was featured in the “Rock the Boat” shoot, recalled the uneasy energy during their trip to the Bahamas. She detailed how the aircraft they used for travel felt unsafe—undersized and poorly maintained—and how several people on the crew, including herself, had reservations about boarding it.
The tragic crash that followed would go on to claim the lives of Aaliyah and eight others, sending shockwaves through the music world. Nicole’s account offers an intimate look at those final moments, highlighting both the joy of working with a beloved artist and the haunting sense of foreboding that accompanied their journey.
