Fantasia Barrino, the former 'American Idol' winner and VH1 reality star, is preparing for her return to the silver screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the multitalented performer will be playing the role of Mahalia Jackson, a late American gospel singer, in a feature-film adaption of a book about her life.

Fantasia will portray the singer and civil rights advocate's journey from poverty in New Orleans to a gospel superstar and ardent supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mahalia, an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, passed away in 1982 at the age of 60.

Fantasia's personal life has been tumultuous to say the least. The 26-year-old star overdosed in the fall of 2010, and admitted it was no accident. "I didn't have any fight in me," the singer said in a VH1 'Behind the Music' interview. "I didn't care about anything. I just wanted out. The single mother was accused of stealing another woman's husband and found herself in the middle of a love triangle leading up to her attempted suicide.