By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer
To the producers of the movie on the greatest gospel singer to walk this Earth, Mahalia Jackson, image is everything. And singer Fantasia Barrino might soon be able to attest that this is indeed true.
According to the NY Post, the former American Idol winner’s pregnancy to her married boyfriend – Antwaun Cook – has caused a work stoppage on the movie. The Post reported while Fantasia is in North Carolina preparing for the birth of her son, producers are on the hunt for her replace. Rapper Missy Elliot’s name has surfaced.
Producer Adrian Taylor claimed he is not the only one upset about this. He contends the family of the late singer is not happy about having a woman who is pregnant for her married man who ain’t her husband portraying the Jackson.
“The family thinks if Fantasia plays the role, it’s going to sully the name of Mahalia,” Taylor told the Post. “They think she’s got the wrong image, having a child out of wedlock.”
However, a representative for Jackson’s estate differed with Taylor’s opinion. Dino Gankendorff, who represents Mahalia Jackson’s estate, told The
Young, Black, and Fabulous, “she was not really aware of any objections that the heirs have to the casting of Fantasia. I understand that they were getting ready to film and that she is pregnant, and I don’t know who is she pregnant by.”
It is outright silly of Taylor to speak on behalf of Jackson’s estate. He should have kept his little spat with Fantasia private. If he is upset with Fantasia, fire her! Why try to make it seem that Jackson’s people had a problem with her when you do?
Uncle Luke talks about responsibility?
2 Live Crew frontman Luther Campbell issued a warning to the hip hop industry and its lack of concern for the black community.
“I’ve got a message for Lil Wayne, his Cash Money Brothers, DJ Khaled, Puff Daddy and all the rappers from other parts of the country who now live in Miami,” he told Miami New Times. “I’m tired of seeing these cats using up our beaches, soaking up our sunshine, taking over the nightclubs, and sleeping with our women without investing anything into the community.”
I shouldn’t really question the messenger, even though Luke has made a living off degrading women to nothing. I have his comment makes sense. It is a sad state of affairs in the black community that some of our black men think that Lil Wayne is a “good” father because he pays child support for his four kids by four different women. President Barack Obama gave a speech about more black men being fathers to their children two years ago, and nobody really listened. I bet you a million bucks if Lil Wayne made a public service announcement telling black men to stopping hoeing around these boys and young men would listen.
