Mahalia Jackson Biopic

Fantasia Barrino, season 3 winner of American Idol, was cast to play the lead role in legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson's biopic. Recently, however, Barrino has been in the news for accusations of carrying on an affair with Antwaun Cook and then becoming pregnant with his child, twice. The first time resulting in an abortion in August of 2010. Barrino is currently pregnant with Cook's child and is reportedly due in late December of this year. Barrino has received much hostility for the alleged affair and pregnancies, including concerns about her casting to play Mahalia Jackson.

According to a nola.com article, apparently, the negative comments from the Jackson family and press were all one big kerfuffle (my word of the day) on account of unauthorized comments from a financing broker.

This post is not to cast any judgment whatsoever. The producers are looking to begin shooting the film in January which gives little time for Barrino between having her baby and the filming start date. No disrespect intended, but, personally, I think Sunday Best season 3 winner, Le'Andria Johnson would do a wonderful job playing Ms. Jackson. She's already proven that her voice is dynamic when performing Ms. Jackson's "Trouble of the World"
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American Idol...Fast Forward

Today it was announced that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez will be taking over as judges on the American Idol panel. I believe they will be joining the only remaining judge, Randy Jackson, who has been there since the start of the show. (I've personally never understood his role but to throw up the "rock on" hand sign and refer to contestants as "dog".) Names of possible judges and much controversy have been floating around all summer. Last I heard, Lopez was too much of a diva to be hired, but I suppose they worked out some type of arrangement. Possible Fox promotions of Lopez's future romantic comedies? Hmmm. Apparently Aerosmith, Joe Perry specifically, is very disappointed that Tyler signed on to the show without consulting the band first. Apparently he found out on the Internet like the rest of the world. Boy, what a slap in the face if it was via tweet. Sheesh. What does this mean for the future of Aerosmith? Only time will tell. However, I feel that this celebrity casting is a pathetic attempt to rejuvenate the popularity of a show that I believe reached its final wind about five seasons ago. Hasn't this show been on for about 10 years? I'm pretty sure I stopped watching after the third season. All I know is that American Idol has a habit of voting off the singers that often go on to be music hit makers i.e. Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson. However, it is true that winners such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Fantasia Barrino have gone on to rule their respective music charts, but many of the other winner names have become a bit fuzzy to me. Well, we shall see if this newly cast star power will give American Idol the revamp it appears to be seeking.