Debbie Allen is set to direct and Viola Davis, Loretta Devine, Kadeem Hardison and newcomer Jamia Simone Nash have been cast in the Lifetime original movie tentatively titled "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story."

The telefilm is inspired by the story of Fantasia Barrino, a teenage single mother who overcame poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy to be voted as the winner of Fox's singing competition show "American Idol" in 2004. Barrino is set to play herself in the movie, which will premiere in August on Lifetime.

Davis and Hardison will portray Fantasia's parents, Diane and JoJo Barrino, while Devine has been cast as her grandmother Addie Collins. Nash will play the young Fantasia.

Allen will direct from Keith Glover's teleplay, which is based on Barrino's autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale." The movie is being produced by Ostar Prods. Bill Haber is the executive producer, and Ellyn Williams co-executive produces. John McMahon is producing.

Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning choreographer-actress-director Allen's helming credits include UPN's "All of Us" and "Girlfriends," WB Network's "The Jamie Foxx Show" and NBC's "A Different World." She is repped by Paradigm.

Tony winner Davis' credits include the feature film "Traffic" and "Get Rich or Die Tryin' " as well as NBC's "Law & Order: SVU." She is repped by APA, manager Estelle Lasher and attorney Michael Adler.

Devine's credits include the films "Crash," "Waiting to Exhale" and the upcoming "Dreamgirls" as well as ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." She is repped by Innovative Artists.

Hardison, best known for his role as Dwayne Wayne on "A Different World," also has appeared in such feature films as "Biker Boyz." He is repped by UTA.

Nash has appeared in ABC's "My Wife and Kids," WB Network's "Seventh Heaven" and UPN's "Half & Half." She is repped by Carson Adler Agency.

Nellie Andreeva contributed to this report.