Singer and reality TV star Fantasia Barrino, 26, is slated to play the late legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (aka The Queen of Gospel). The film will be based off of the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel.
According to the Hollywood Reporter:
The CAA-repped Barrino, who’s biggest post-Idol gig to date was playing Celie in the Broadway version of The Color Purple, will portray Jackson on her journey from abject poverty in New Orleans to her rise as a global figure in gospel and early supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr. The singer died in 1972 at the age of 60.
The film will be directed by Euzhan Palcy (A Dry White Season) from a script by Jim Evering, and goes into production in April in Pittsburgh and Chicago for a December release.
[ SOURCE ]
KERRY & COLUMBUS SET TO TAPE NEW ABC SHOW
Actress Kerry Washington is reportedly going to star in a new ABC drama tentatively called, In Crisis. The show was created by ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Private Practice’ creator, Shonda Rhimes.
The pilot based on the career of famous crisis management consultant Judy Smith. The pilot, from ABC Studios, revolves around the life and work of professional fixer Olivia Price (Washington) and her dysfunctional staff. Olivia Price is described as something of a legend, a formidable, driven, insightful, intuitive and fearless woman. Short will play a lawyer on her team. [ SOURCE ]
Actor/choreographer Columbus Short is also going to be joining the cast.
NOW THAT WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT!!! DATS WASUP FANNY! CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS!
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I like the fact that Columbus Short took his moment with Britney Spears and Ran with it. He is talented and I wonder if there was no BOOAHHH about her stealing him from his pregnant wife/girlfriend(the way they made it sound like she used voodoo,drugs to get him away from her, like he is not mainly to blame)….. I like him and Kerry and so I would watch this. Mind You when it finally comes to the UK(may take years).
Sounds interesting. I like them both as actors. Glad they are also expanding to TV.
Fantasia just might get her Oscar. She is going to KILL the role of Mahalia… just watch.
Yes Tasia! Make the haters quiet! Go girl!
Black people who can act on TV, I’m all for it!! The black actors on TV now, are horrible. Not to mention any particular shows coughthegamecougharewethereyetcough.
Kerry and Columbus are both great actors. Columbus KILLED in “Cadillac Records”, and Kerry does a good job at almost everything.
As much as I love Fantasia, i’m going to have to give it a no. Fantasia’s voice and Mahalia’ are TOTALLY different. It was jus like Beyonce and Etta James… WRONG. Yes Fanny can sing but Mahalia doesn’t scream all over the place like she do. Ms Jackson was known for having a low alto/tenor voice. Fanny has more of an alto/soprano voice. This may not be a good look but I will watch it
I love Fantasia and loved her performance on Broadway but by looking at that picture of Mahailia, Queen Latifah might have been a better physical fit. They look very similar to each other.
Contrary to popular belief, Fantasia does have a range; she can sing in just about any key given. I’m sure she’ll work with whoever she needs to work with in order to do this part justice; minus the screaming and all. As far as her looking like Mahalia, makeup does wonders. I’m rooting for her all the way.
Congratulations Tasia! She will do an outstanding job. She can adapt to various types of music so I am sure she will be great!
Aww shucks; forgot to add that she is in the process of gaining 40lbs for this role so when you see pictures of her looking thicker; she is not pregnant!
Gooooo!!!! Fantasia do your thing, I’m proud of you.
I love Fantasia, but her voice is too gritty for Mahalia’s role. I actually think Jennifer would’ve been better suited for the role. Love them both…But maybe Jennifer thought otherwise considering she just lost all of the weight!
I think they’re bod talented and gorgeous, but this show sounds boring.
FANTASIA WILL BE WONDERFUL FOR THE ROLE SHE IS A CHUCH GIRL.SPENT A LOT OF TIME SING IN CHURCH THAT MAYBE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.
i fuckin LOVE Columbus Short, to see his face on the regular will be great!!
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