Just as Fantasia Barrino, one American Idol star, is set to leave the cast of The Color Purple, another former contestant is ready to join the cast:

Lakisha Jones.

On January 9, Jones and Chaka Khan will make their Broadway debuts in this critically acclaimed show.

Chaka Khan, the eight-time Grammy winner, will join the cast as Sofia, playing opposite Benjamin "BeBe" Winans' Harpo. Winans' is the four-time Grammy winner who hails from the legendary first family of gospel music.

Also coming aboard the play, which is about to begin its third year at the Broadway Theatre, is Jones. She'll perform the role of church soloist at all evening performances, stepping in to play Sofia during matinees.

Sounds like a perfect match to us!

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.