August 10th: Interview with the Casting Director of Life is Not a Fairy Tale!

LA David, the Casting Director for Life is Not a Fairy Tale, was nice enough to do an interview with us! You can read what she had to say about Fantasia, shooting the film in New Orleans, how she casted the film and how the actual auditions for American Idol were involved. The interview is here. The film airs next Saturday!

August 3rd: Fantasia's interview on Entertainment Tonight! Thanks to Rania & Ksolo

August 2nd: Here's a TV One interview with Fantasia! Thanks to SillyOne & Jiggy

July 15th ~ New articles, pictures from the 2006 Summer TV Critics Association Press Tour

Fantasia talked about her movie at the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour. She sat in between Debbie Allen, who directed the film, and Loretta Devine, who plays her Grandmother. Pictures Here.

Thanks to Fan-tasia.net member tasia4eva06 for posting this great article that appears in Today's Akron Beacon Journal. The article describes the event and has quotes from Debbie and Loretta about Fantasia:

Sat, Jul. 15, 2006

She can tell her triumphant tale best
`Idol' star Barrino's story is so compelling, personal that it is fitting she is cast to act in it

Back when Fantasia Barrino was contending on American Idol, she gave a performance of Summertime that was not simply music but drama.

It made people take notice of her in a way that they hadn't before, and put her firmly on the road to the title.

I have a feeling that there's at least one similar moment in The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, the movie premiering Aug. 19 on Lifetime. Barrino plays herself in it, and there's a church scene that -- even in a brief, edited form shown to TV critics on Friday -- is as dramatic and nakedly emotional as her turn on Idol was.

Barrino, who loves horror movies, wants to act more. And she appears to have the goods.

``I think she's excellent, and I'll tell you why,'' said Viola Davis, a Tony award-winning actress who plays Barrino's mother in the movie. ``Because she's honest. She doesn't put anything on.... Then you have to come with honesty yourself.... You can't have a false moment.

``It doesn't happen a lot,'' Davis said after a Fantasia Barrino Story press conference. ``So many actors are into their vanity. They're so aware of the camera, they're terrified of experiencing certain emotions. (Barrino) didn't have that.''

Like her print autobiography, the movie forces Barrino to revisit not only her Idol triumph (some clips of which are included in The Fantasia Barrino Story) but a rough life before, including pregnancy at 16, a poor education and incidents of violence.

She was excited when Lifetime bought... <<Read More>>

July 12th, The preview is being shown on Lifetime!

Check out the preview for the movie. It looks excellent ! Thanks to Crimsoncream for uploading it to youtube.
Check out the positive reviews it's already receiving at Concrete Loop and Cake & Ice Cream.

July 9th, 2006: Fantasia and Jamia Simone Nash

Fantasia recently talked about the young and talented actress who is playing her as a young girl in the telefilm, Jamia Simone Nash. Fantasia said "Jamia is a powerhouse of a singer. She reminds me a lot of me."

You can check out Jamia's cute little fan site Jamia Online, which has information, a tag box and a picture that looks like it was taken on the set of Life Is Not A Fairy Tale, in the make up trailer. Check her out!

July 1st, 2006: Rhianna Mack has added new pictures of the set, additional cast members, Debbie Allen, another picture with Fantasia, and just tons and tons of images from the set of the movie.
Thank You so much Rhianna!

Check it all out - start here and use the "next" link, or view the images as a slideshow.

Here's a preview of the film, via TV Guide. Thanks to member Snowbiz for recording and posting it!

The movie chronicles Fantasia's life. It deals with her overcoming abuse and setbacks growing up.
It is based on the bestselling novel Fantasia authored in 2005.

From the Press Release:

"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®, 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® 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.

Diane Barrino: Viola Davis
Joe Barrino: Kadeem Hardison
Addie Collins: Loretta Devine
Young Fantasia: Jamia Simone Nash

Director: Debbie Allen

~ BOOK NEWS ~

The Paperback Book is Now Available for Purchase At Your Local Bookseller!

The paperback version was released May, 2006! Buy yourself a copy and read Fantasia's amazing story of hardships and triumph.

Amazon.com link