Fantasia Barrino to Star in Mahalia Jackson Biopic

Wednesday, February 9th 2011 | Leave a Comment

Fantasia Barrino just landed the lead role in a biopic about late gospel singer Mahalia Jackson!

The multi-talented performer will play Mahalia Jackson in a feature-film adaptation of the 1993 book “Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel,” which will recount the life of the singer, who was also a civil rights activist and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Fantasia will portray Jackson’s journey from poverty in New Orleans to her rise as a gospel superstar and early supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mahalia Jackson passed away in 1972 at the age of 60.

This marks Barrino’s first feature-film lead role since she played Celie in the broadway version of “The Color Purple.” The 26-year-old “American Idol” winner also played herself in the 2006 Lifetime biopic “Life is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story,” which was based on an autobiography she released just 1 year prior.

The new Mahalia Jackson biopic is scheduled to go into production in April in Pittsburgh and Chicago and is being prepped for a December release.

Your thoughts?

Filed: Movie News, Movies, News & Gossip | Tags: Fantasia

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Today’s Gossip Linx!

http://www.twitter.com/hotterthanjuly Michael

Mahalia Jackson died in 1972. Check your facts.
TimeWillTell

Although Fantasia has been through so many hardships, I have always had faith in her and I’m pretty sure a lot of her other fans do too. I believe she will do great in this upcoming biopic, this definitely will show all the true talent she has and hopefully she will be recognize in bringing the life of Mahalia Jackson justice and not something that’s irrelevant. I continue to pray and hope that this true young lady of talent will strive on to inspire and captivate audiences around the world with her soulful voice. It’s really sad how the industry can either make you or break you, in her case it tried to break her, but thank God she did not crumble under the pressure (she almost did). I’m happy for her and I hope she finds the peace of mind she is seeking for. – God Bless!
rashard

they picked the right one fantasia would be excellent
rt

I rather look forward to FAITH EVANS playing Florence Ballard in the Suprems bio, Fantasia is a growling let down, her life, relationships, family (mainly her disgusting brother) here flaking on the color purple shows…she needs to get it together- she was the American Idol, no back wood NC idol. lol
Agnes monroe

FANTASIA , my mother whom is 82 , lost her eyesight 2 years ago will love to her you sing Mahalia Jackson……. her daughter Agnes Monroe.
merian

i believe that fantasia can play this role i believe she can do anything when she puts on mind to it im supporting my idol all way because i love her so much i dnt care wat people think or say bout her.YOU CAN DO IT FANTASIA I BELIEVE IN YOU I LOVE YOU:)