Lifetime Network Plans Fantasia Biopic

Fantasia Barrino, who won the third season of the popular Fox talent competition "American Idol" will star as herself in a Lifetime Original Movie.

Principal photography was to begin this month in New Orleans, the cable network said in a recent statement. The movie, which has the working title, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: the Fantasia Barrino Story," is set to premiere in August.

Barrino, 21, published her memoir, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," last year. Her debut album, "Free Yourself," was released in 2004.

The R&B singer dropped out of high school in her hometown of High Point, N.C., and became an unwed mother at 17.

She has a daughter, Zion.

Debbie Allen is set to direct the film.