Hollywood Reporter says that Allen will direct the Lifetime Television movie, which is based on Barrino's autobiography "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale." Barrino, who won the top prize during the third season of the hit FOX-TV series "American Idol," will play herself in the television film, which is scheduled to premiere in August on the cable network. Barrino's tome focuses on how the single mother was able to overcome "poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy." The made-for-TV film will also feature Tony Award winner Viola Davis and Kadeem Hardison as Barrino's parents.

Perhaps best known for her role as dance teacher Lydia Grant in the film and subsequent TV series "Fame," Debbie Allen has appeared on Broadway in Purlie, Raisin, Truckload and Ain't Misbehavin' as well as the revivals of West Side Story and Sweet Charity. She received a Tony nomination for her performance in the latter, and she also choreographed the short-lived cult musical Carrie. Allen is the recipient of three Emmy Awards, two for her choreography of "Fame" and one for her choreography of the 1990 TV special "Motown 30: What's Goin' On!" She has also directed the TV series "All of Us," "Girlfriends," "The Jamie Foxx Show" and "A Different World."