or


[05/05/06 - 12:00 AM]
American Idol(R) Winner Fantasia Stars in the Lifetime Original Movie 'Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story,' an Inspirational Drama About Overcoming Insurmountable Odds

[via press release from Lifetime]

American Idol(R) Winner Fantasia Stars in the Lifetime Original Movie 'Life Is Not A Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story,' an Inspirational Drama About Overcoming Insurmountable Odds

Legendary Choreographer, Actress and Director Debbie Allen Set to Direct Cast Includes Celebrated Actors Loretta Devine ('Crash'), Viola Davis ('Traffic') and Kadeem Hardison ('A Different World')

LOS ANGELES, May 5 -- Principal photography begins this month in New Orleans, Louisiana on the Lifetime Original Movie "LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY," (working title). The telefilm is inspired by the true story of Fantasia Barrino, a teenage single mother who overcame poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy by using her incredible voice to rise to national prominence as the winner of American Idol(R). Grammy(R)-nominated, platinum-selling recording artist Fantasia will grace the title role, playing herself in the movie.

Prolific actress Loretta Devine ("Dreamgirls," "Crash," "Boston Public," "Waiting to Exhale") has been cast as Fantasia's grandmother, Addie Collins and Tony(R) Award winner Viola Davis ("Traffic," "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") stars as Fantasia's mother, Diane Barrino. Rounding out the ensemble cast are Kadeem Hardison ("A Different World," "Biker Boyz") in the role of Fantasia's father, JoJo Barrino and newcomer Jamia Simone Nash ("My Wife and Kids") who plays the young Fantasia. Acclaimed Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R)-winning choreographer, actress and director Debbie Allen ("Fame," "Girlfriends") will direct the film, bringing her boundless experience from in front and behind the stage and screen to this movie. "LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY" is set to premiere this August on Lifetime.

"Fantasia made America fall in love with her through her astounding voice, but few people knew the obstacles she overcame to get where she is now," said Trevor Walton, Senior Vice President, Lifetime Original Movies. "She openly shares her inspirational story, and audiences will see that she is not only a phenomenal singer, but also an impressive actress." Walton continues, "Lead by the multi-talented director Debbie Allen, actors Loretta Devine, Viola Davis and Kadeem Hardison are perfect matches in bringing Fantasia's story to life."

Before she ever captured the hearts and votes of millions to become the winner of American Idol(R), Fantasia Barrino had little to celebrate in her life. As the youngest child of Diane and JoJo Barrino, Fantasia experienced a complicated childhood, low self-esteem and eventually dropped out of school in her early teens. With little education, money or chance of a real future, Fantasia found herself in a loveless, abusive relationship that left her pregnant at sixteen with no one to turn to for help.

The birth of her daughter Zion was the catalyst for Fantasia to rethink her choices and redirect her life. With the encouragement of friends and family, Fantasia took a leap of faith to audition for the hot television show American Idol(R) and quickly won over the judges and audiences with her sassy style and extraordinary voice. Her powerful singing made her an instant sensation and changed her life forever.

"LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY" is produced by Ostar Productions for Lifetime Television. Bill Haber ("Nightmares & Dreamscapes," "Uprising") serves as the executive producer and Ellyn Williams (Lifetime Television's "Hunger Point") co-executive produces. John McMahon ("Nightmares & Dreamscapes") produces the movie and Keith Glover wrote the teleplay based on the autobiography "Life is Not a Fairy Tale" by Fantasia Barrino.

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television
Web Site: http://www.lifetimetv.com





  [may 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· BOSTON PUBLIC (FOX)
· GIRLFRIENDS (CW)
· HUNGER POINT (LIFETIME)
· LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC)
· LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY (LIFETIME)
· MY WIFE & KIDS (ABC)
· NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING (TNT)
· UPRISING (NBC)





[03/28/24 - 11:07 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion" Debuts April 9
The film uncovers the toxic culture of the teen brand Brandy Melville and the global ramifications of mass-produced clothing known as fast fashion.

[03/28/24 - 11:02 AM]
FX's "Welcome to Wrexham" Shifts Season Three Premiere Date
The May 2 premiere will include the first two episodes of the eight-episode season, with a new episode available each following Thursday.

[03/28/24 - 10:36 AM]
Claire Danes Will Reunite with "Homeland" Showrunner & Executive Producer Howard Gordon on the Netflix Limited Series "The Beast in Me"
A grieving author finds a new subject in a real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Her investigation spirals into a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly.

[03/28/24 - 10:32 AM]
Roku Originals Reunites "The Real Bros of Simi Valley" for New Movie; Directed by Jimmy Tatro
"The Real Bros of Simi Valley: High School Reunion" is a continuation of the beloved original series, co-created by Jimmy Tatro and Christian Pierce, which became a social media phenomenon generating over a billion views across video platforms.

[03/28/24 - 10:04 AM]
Bravo Reveals Returning Cast for "The Real Housewives of New York City" Season 15
After a successful first bite out of the Big Apple, all six ladies of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City" will return for season 15, including Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Brynn Whitfield.

[03/28/24 - 10:03 AM]
Matt Barnes and Anansa Sims Give a Close-Up Look at Navigating Love, Co-Parenting, Fame and More in New Series, "The Barnes Bunch," Premiering Friday, April 19 at 10PM ET on WE tv
This endearing new series follows NBA champion and successful Podcaster, Matt Barnes, alongside his fiancée, model and reality personality, Anansa Sims, as they navigate love, forgiveness, and personal growth while reconciling their past.

[03/28/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Dan Da Dan" - Official Trailer - Netflix Anime
This is the story of Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak.

[03/28/24 - 10:01 AM]
"Karamo" Renewed for Third Season in National Syndication
"Karamo" is hosted by reality television personality, author, actor, producer and activist Karamo.

[03/28/24 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Neal Brennan: Crazy Good" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Comedian Neal Brennan riffs in this stand-up special on crypto, social media flexes, sex compliments and the link between greatness and mental health.

[03/28/24 - 09:03 AM]
ESPN+ Unveils Major League Baseball Game Schedule for March and April
ESPN+ will stream a game every day in April, featuring all thirty Major League Baseball Clubs.

[03/28/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Jurassic World: Chaos Theory" - Teaser Trailer - Netflix After School
Set six years after the events at Camp Cretaceous, members of "The Nublar Six" are struggling to find their footing off the islands, navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them.

[03/28/24 - 09:01 AM]
WWE on A&E Continues with Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias Joining "WWE Rivals" & More "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" & "Biography: WWE Legends"
Kicking off on Sunday, April 14, "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" will feature WWE Hall of Famers Booker T, Mick Foley, and Lita as they hunt for iconic memorabilia and share the history behind some of the most famous items in WWE history.

[03/28/24 - 09:00 AM]
"The Omen" Complete Franchise, Streaming Now on Hulu
To celebrate the new theatrical release, catch up on the supernatural saga with all five films available to stream on Hulu!

[03/28/24 - 08:29 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases the Official Trailer for Horror Anthology Series "THEM: THE SCARE" Starring Deborah Ayorinde, Luke James, Pam Grier, and More!
This second installment will consist of eight episodes and premieres on Thursday, April 25, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[03/28/24 - 08:16 AM]
Netflix Lights Up the Sky with 1,000 Drones to Reveal May 1 Launch Date for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Saga, "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar"
In the series, arch nemeses Mallikajaan and Fareedan are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi, where courtesans reign as queens.