Jet Li on U.S. Trips: ‘I Always Think of Aaliyah’ and Her Tragic Death

Jet Li on U.S. Trips: ‘I Always Think of Aaliyah’ and Her Tragic Death.

Martial arts legend Jet Li has shared that traveling to the United States remains an emotional experience for him, as it often brings back memories of his friend and former co-star, the singer Aaliyah.

“I feel sad when I go to the U.S. because I always think of Aaliyah,” Li has said, reflecting on how deeply her passing continues to affect him.

The two starred together in the 2000 action film Romeo Must Die, a global hit that showcased Aaliyah’s talents as an actress to the world. Released alongside her chart-topping song “Try Again,” the movie marked a key moment in her career, proving her star power extended far beyond music.

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Though her time in the public eye was short, Aaliyah’s influence was deep. With three studio albums, she left a permanent mark on music, fashion, and dance that continues to inspire artists today. Her final project was the video for her single “Rock the Boat.” Aaliyah died on August 25, 2001, in a plane crash in the Bahamas. She was 22 years old.

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The Crash

After completing the “Rock the Boat” video shoot, Aaliyah and eight members of her team boarded a twin-engine Cessna 402B at Marsh Harbour Airport to return to Florida. The plane climbed to about 50 feet before turning sharply to the left and plunging nose-first into a swamp just 200 feet from the runway. The aircraft caught fire on impact.

All nine people on board were killed. Aaliyah and five others died instantly; three passengers died later from their injuries. Her official cause of death was listed as severe burns and a head injury.

What Investigations Found

Later investigations by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Bahamian officials pieced together a series of failures that led to the tragedy.

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The plane was carrying far too much weight, overloaded by an estimated 700 to 900 pounds. Heavy camera gear and luggage were not stored properly, making the aircraft unstable. The pilot, Luis Morales III, was not certified to fly that specific model of plane and had used false documents to get his job. A toxicology report also found he had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time.

For fans and for friends like Jet Li, the preventable nature of the accident only deepens the sense of loss. Aaliyah’s legacy, often summed up by the title of her breakthrough album, One in a Million, endures in her music and in the memories of those who knew her. For Li, those memories surface most vividly each time he returns to the country where they once worked together.

Jet Li on U.S. Trips: ‘I Always Think of Aaliyah’ and Her Tragic Death.