NEW ORLEANS--Fantasia Barrino is ready for her closeup.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 'American Idol' season 3 winner has landed her first leading role in a biopic about the life of American gospel singer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson.
The movie, which will be directed by Euzhan Palcy, is based on the 1993 book 'Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel.' Jim Evering is penning the script.
Barrino will also gain 30-45 pounds for the role, her rep told RadarOnline.
Filming begins in April, according to the report.
Barrino has already had a number of acting gigs under her belt, though never anything of this caliber. She made her acting debut in the 2005 Lifetime TV movie 'Life Is Not a Fairy Tale,' based on her autobiography. She also played the lead role in Broadway's 'A Color Purple' in 2007.
She was reportedly up for the role of Effie White in the big-screen adaptation of 'Dreamgirls,' which eventually went to Oscar winner and fellow 'American Idol' season 3 contestant Jennifer Hudson.
Last August, Barrino was hospitalized in Pineville, N.C., which was later confirmed as a suicide attempt.
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Friday, February 18th 2011 at 4:17PM
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