Past Idol winner gets starring role

American Idol's 2004 winner, Fantasia Barrino, is set to star in a Lifetime television movie, which is based on her September 2005 book, about her real-life impoverished upbringing before rising to stardom.

Barrino will play her older self in the movie, which so far shares the same title as her Life Is Not a Fairly Tale book. But scenes in the movie that depict Fantasia as a child will be played by 9-year-old Jamia Simone Nash--who has already earned the respect of her older onscreen counterpart.

"Jamia is a powerhouse of a singer. She reminds me a lot of me," said the 22-year-old former Idol champion.

Hicks ready to ride on tour, but illness sidelines McPhee

Other American Idol stars are making noise today. Taylor Hicks, who was crowned champ of this year's contest, told the Associated Press he can't wait to jump aboard the American Idols Live tour bus.

"You would see buses on the road in Alabama going to their next destination," said Hicks, describing the tribulations of being a struggling musician, "and I would always dream about being on one, and now I have the opportunity."

This year's runner-up Katharine McPhee has the opportunity to ride the bus, too, but the tour has kicked off without her. Laryngitis and severe bronchitis forced McPhee out for Wednesday's performance in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Thursday's show in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her doctor ordered "total voice rest" and McPhee complied, explaining to fans she must rest before she can "recuperate and reunite with the rest of the idols."

But that may easier said than done.

"That's the most difficult part, not talking!" McPhee said--in a written statement.

Foxx plans community center for hometown?

The multitasking Jamie Foxx--known both for his Academy Award-winning movie performances and burgeoning singing career--is setting aside time for another project: a surprise gift for his hometown.

Foxx is keeping the specifics of his plan to himself for now, but the Terrell, Texas, native plans to participate in some sort of community development, such as opening a new youth center in the town.

"We're going to do something real special in Terrell for the whole city. Because we've yet to do that for that town," Foxx told the Associated Press on Sunday at the Essence Music Festival, which took place in Houston. "When I get a chance I'm going to get back to Terrell, Texas."

Jurassic 5 readies UK tour to support album

After losing a key member to the group, Cut Chemist, to solo aspirations, rap group Jurassic 5 seems poised to jump back into the mix. The group's fourth album, Feedback, is scheduled for a July 25 release date, and, in addition to its US dates, Jurassic 5 is prepping for a seven-date tour through the United Kingdom to promote the album.

The band will kick off the tour September 26 at Bristol Academy before finishing August 6 at Glasgow Academy. It's been four years since the last album from Jurassic 5, a group that evokes old-school rap roots.

"You won't see us comin' out with six Chinese dancers and a midget to make the gimmick appealing," member Zaakir said about the new album, as quoted by the (Victoria, British Columbia) Times Colonist in April. "We're not doing anything like that. But we're definitely trying to stretch a little bit with the music."

'Jellybean' standing in way of Sony album of Big Pun tracks?

Producer John "Jellybean" Benitez, known as much for his past relationship with Madonna as his record-producing feats, is reportedly blocking a new album from Sony that features music from rapper Big Pun, who died in 2000.

"Sony owns Big Pun as an artist, but Jellybean owns the publishing rights to many of the songs," an anonymous source, described as an industry insider, told the New York Daily News. "Sony wants to do another album, but [Benitez] hasn't returned calls. He's playing the game." The source blames Benitez's sluggish pace because Benitez did not himself come up with the idea of the album, which is a compilation of unreleased tracks from Big Pun, who died of a heart attack.