Fantasia Barrino Lands Lead Role in Mahalia Jackson Biopic

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Feb 8th 2011 08:09PM

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.

Since 'Idol,' the star has written an autobiography titled 'My Life is Not a Fairy Tale,' which was then made into a Lifetime movie in which she played herself. She also starred in a highly-rated VH1 reality show about her life called ' Fantasia for Real.'

This role will be Fantasia's biggest to date since 2006 when she starred in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway revival of 'The Color Purple.'

Tags: Fantasia Barrino

Comments

(37)

Wednesday 09 February

By Lori Walker

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Thats a voice typo

By Bren

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Jennifer Hudson should play the role of Mahalia Jackson. Fantasia's voice is not strong enough. What did the producers based their decision on to cast her for this role? She is very good at what she does, but her voice sounds very strained to me. I think her voice is damaged by all of the screeming she does. I do wish her success in this role and I think they should let her lip sinc the songs. That may work because I think she is a pretty decent actress.

By Lydia

That will be an insult to Miss Jackson. I grew up listening to her at my Grandmothers home. Fantasia is an ok singer but she is nowhere near the singer Mahalia Jackson was. Of all the female singers out there to chose from and thats all they came up with? So sad.

By Mike

A "return to the silver screen?" When was she EVER on "the silver screen?" Though I really like Fantasia, she needs to pull away from all the users in her family, maybe then she'll have some kind of respectable career!

By Danyell Spivey

Who the hell is Malik Jackson? Is he one of the Jackson 5 ? And why is a female(?) playing a male role? Something wrong here.

Tuesday 22 March

By TurnOffTheBoobTube

There was only ONE Mahalia. There will never be another. I don't think she's the right choice for this part.

By JB

A ho playing a saint. She should win an Oscar if she pulls this off.

By panther

Dana Owens (Queen Latifah) would be a better choice. Fantasia's musical tone is not conducive for this role.

By speech

panther; you are right - Queen Latifah would be a better fit for this movie, she even has a little resemblence to her

By rashard

yall must didnt see fantasia in broadway doing the color purple cause she was phenomenal they did chose the right lady for this role and i dont know why yall so stuck on jennifer hudson she havent even sold more album then fantasia

By Melinda

Maybe Jennifer Hudson didn't try for the role or want it. Fantasia is a GREAT CHOICE.

Thursday 10 February

By CeeCee

so she can read now ?

By Skyler W

Yall cant base this on Fantasia playing the role of Celie on Broadway because these are two different roles you are playing. She did a good job as Celie because they resembled each other and went through the same thing. Fantasia and Mahalia J. are two differnet people and two DIFFERENT voices. I hope and pray they reconsider.

Tuesday 22 February

By DeVon

I think there are better choices to play Mahalia than Fantasia. I saw the Color Purple with Fantasia, and I didn't think her performance was anything to write home to Mama about. She was just ok. Now the actress who played Shug Avery...she stole the show during her scenes with Fantasia. I think Mahalia' story need to be told with honor, and I think anyone who would cast Fantasia in this role isn't looking to put the best movie out, but hoping her fans will flock to the theater because it's Fantasia. It's just sad.

They will be using Mahalia's actual recordings, Fantasia won't be singing in the movie at all, but lip-syncing.

Saturday 12 March

By King

YES FANTASIA IS SINGING IN HER REAL VOICE THE VOICE THAT SHE WAS BLESSED WITH, THE VOICE THAT WON HER AMERICAN IDOL, THE VOICE THAT GOT HER THE ROLE IN THIS MOVIE

Sunday 13 March

By ELA

@ KING :There are many Broadway actresses that do both very
well everyday. And an example from film.. Anika Noni Rose (dreamgirls, Princess & the frog, For colored girls)

In addition Fantasia over sings. Mahalia had disipline. Fantasia has shown that she may be a singer but she is not disiplined. And most definetly not an actress.

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