Fantasia was slated to appear in a feature-film adaptation of the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel. The film recounts the life of the late American gospel singer, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and civil rights activist.
Her experience playing Celie in the Broadway version of The Color Purple, made her a shoo-in for the role in which she would 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.
But her new pregnancy — which caused weight gain initially thought to be in preparation for the role — may cause her to lose the opportunity.
The singer has already had to pull out of a scheduled appearance at this weekend’s Bronner Bros. Hair Show held in Atlanta, according to the following statement found on its website:
“Due to medical conditions, Fantasia has been placed on bed rest and will not be performing at the show.
Now, reports are saying the pregnancy didn’t sit well with producers of the Mahalia biopic and “dropped her from the project.”
A new baby, a shaky relationship, lost opportunities and widely reported money woes could all make for the perfect storm for the singer if she doesn’t play her cards right.
