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Fantasia Barrino

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Biography

About|the musical artist||Fantasia (disambiguation)!FantasiaInfobox musical artist| name = Fantasia Barrino| image = Fantasia Barrino.jpg| caption = Barrino in The American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World .| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Fantasia Monique Barrino| alias = Fantasia| birth_date = birth date and age|mf=yes|1984|6|30| birth_place = High Point, North Carolina|High Point , North Carolina , United States | genre = contemporary R& B|R& B , Soul music|Soul , hip-hop soul , gospel music|gospel | instrument = Vocals | occupation = Singer, actress, author| years_active = 2004–present| label = J Records|J , 19, RCA Records|RCA | associated_acts = Missy Elliott | website = http://www.fantasiabarrinoofficial.com Official websitedead link|date=April 2012 Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984),cite web|url= http://www.people.com/people/videos/0,,20501888,00.html| title=Have a Fantastic Birthday, Fantasia& #33; The American Idol winner celebrates 27 years|publisher= People (magazine)|People.com commonly Mononymous person|known simply as Fantasia , is an United States|American contemporary R& B|R& B singer and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the American Idol (season 3)|third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, " I Believe (Fantasia song)|I Believe ", which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100 . Subsequently, she released her debut album, Free Yourself , which went on to be certified Music recording sales certification|Platinum by the RIAA and garnered Barrino three Grammy nominations in 2006.

In 2006, she released her second album, Fantasia (Fantasia Barrino album)|Fantasia , which featured the single " When I See U " which topped the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for eight weeks. The album was certified Music recording sales certification|Gold by the RIAA and received three Grammy nominations in 2008. She then played the part of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple , for which she won a 2007 Theatre World Award . Her third studio album, Back to Me (Fantasia album)|Back to Me , was released worldwide on August 24, 2010 and features the single " Bittersweet (Fantasia song)|Bittersweet ," which peaked in the top ten on the R& B chart. The single won her a Grammy for Best Female R& B Vocal Performance . As of February 2012, Barrino has sold 2,842,000 albums and 1,425,000 tracks in the United States. http://www.billboard.com/#/features/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time-1004088662.story? page=4 Top 24 'American Idol' Of All-Time

Early life


Fantasia Barrino was born to Diane and Joseph Barrino and raised in High Point, North Carolina|High Point , North Carolina . The family traveled and performed in the Carolinas and elsewhere in the American South and recorded the CD Miracles for a local label. Citation needed|date=August 2010
Despite the travels, Barrino attended T. Wingate Andrews High School|Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina. Feeling embarrassed and harassed after she was rape d by a classmate, http://abcnews.go.com/2020/OnlyinAmerica/story? id=1170655& page=2 http://abcnews.go.com/2020/OnlyinAmerica/story? id=1170655& page=2 ABCnews.go.com Retrieved on 01-16-08 she dropped out of high school. She became pregnant at 16, and on August 8, 2001, gave birth to her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino. http://www.realitytvworld.com/realitytvdb/fantasia-barrino/biography "Fantasia Barrino", RealityTVWorld.com, n.d. Barrino then briefly moved to neighboring Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro , North Carolina before trying out for the American Idol Auditions in Atlanta .Citation needed|date=August 2010

Music career


2004: American Idol


Barrino's audition version of Tina Turner 's " Proud Mary " made her an early favorite in the competition. Her standout performance during the course of the show was a heartfelt staging of the Porgy and Bess standard " Summertime (song)|Summertime " that left her in tears from "feeling the song" and earned praise from the judges - Randy Jackson has called itCitation needed|date=August 2010 the best performance in the show's history - and was named amongst the AOL's 2004 list of greatest television moments. http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,670495,00.html Paula Abdul And Randy Jackson Announce The Nominees For AOL(r) Television's 2004 'TV's Top 5 Viewer Awards'

For the final performance of the season, Barrino offered a second performance of "Summertime" that again drew praise from the judges; Simon Cowell remarked that she was the best contestant to ever compete in any competition, including the more than seventy Idol champions crowned nationally and internationally since the show began its first global incarnations. On the finale, over 65 million votes were cast in order to determine the winner on May 26, 2004, up from 24 million in 2003. http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm19992_20040526.htm/1 http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm19992_20040526.htm/1 Freep.com Retrieved on 05-08-07 It was the highest finale vote in the show's history until the May 23, 2007 American Idol (season 6)|season-six finale.Citation needed|date=August 2010 Barrino defeated runner-up Diana DeGarmo by 1.3 million votes. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5060380/ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5060380/ MSNBC.com. Retrieved on 05-08-07 At age 19, she was the youngest American Idol winner until May 23, 2007, when the 17-year-old Jordin Sparks won the title.Citation needed|date=August 2010
Barrino participated in the U.S. tour with the other American Idol finalists and appeared in the 2004 Christmas television special|Christmas special , Kelly, Ruben and Fantasia: Home For the Holidays as well.


Barrino's brother auditioned for the American Idol Season 8|eighth season of American idol but failed to make it to the Hollywood round.cite web|url= http://realitytv.about.com/b/2008/01/09/another-american-idol-tryout-to-look-forward-to-fantasia-barrinos-brother.htm|title=Another American Idol Tryout to Look Forward To; Fantasia Barrino's Brother|accessdate=2009-03-15|author=About.com

Barrino is one of only three winners, the others being Ruben Studdard , and most recently, Kris Allen , to have landed in the bottom three or two, which she did twice, making her the only winner of the series who landed in the bottom group on more than one occasion.

Performances


WeekThemeSongArtistOrder SungStatus
SemifinalsSemifinal Group 1Something to Talk About " Bonnie Raitt 8Advanced
Top 12 Soul music Week" Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours Stevie Wonder 6Safe
Top 11 Country music Week" Always on My Mind " Willie Nelson 3Safe
Top 10Motown Week" I Heard It Through the Grapevine " Marvin Gaye 9Safe
Top 9 Elton John " Something About the Way You Look Tonight "Elton John1Safe
Top 8Cinema Summertime " Abbie Mitchell 5Safe
Top 7 Barry Manilow It's a Miracle "Barry Manilow7Bottom 2
Top 6 Gloria Estefan " Get on Your Feet "Gloria Estefan1Safe
Top 5Big Band" Crazy Little Thing Called Love "
" What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? "
Queen (band)>Queen
Barbra Streisand
5
10
Safe
Top 4DiscoKnock on Wood "
" Holding Out for a Hero "
Eddie Floyd
Bonnie Tyler
3
7
Bottom 2
Top 3Idol's Choice
Judges' Choice
Clive Davis 's Choice
Chain of Fools "
" A Fool in Love "
" Greatest Love of All "
Aretha Franklin
Ike & Tina Turner
George Benson
2
4
6
Safe
FinaleContestant's ChoiceJoJo song)>All My Life "
"Summertime"
" I Believe (Fantasia song)
K-Ci and Jo-Jo
Abbie Mitchell
Fantasia (Idol Single)
2
4
6
Winner


2004–2005: Free Yourself


After winning American Idol , Fantasia signed to J Records with 19 Entertainment and began work on her debut album. In June 2004, she released her debut single, " I Believe (Fantasia song)|I Believe ", which later debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100 . This number-one debut made Fantasia the first artist in history to achieve this with a first single.cite web|last=Jeffries |first=David |url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p639026/biography|pure_url=yes |title=((( Fantasia > Biography ))) |publisher=allmusic |date=1984-06-30 |accessdate=2010-05-02 On the sales chart, the single spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one, giving it the longest consecutive stay on top of that chart for an American Idol contestant. The CD single , "I Believe", went on to become the top selling single of 2004 in the U.S., and has since been certified double platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association|CRIA . Barrino also won three Billboard Music Award s for the single.

Fantasia released her debut studio album, Free Yourself , in November 2004. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200| Billboard 200 , selling 240,000 copies in its first week. To date, it has sold over two million copies worldwide, and was certified Platinum in the U.S. The singles " Truth Is " and " Free Yourself (song)|Free Yourself " became R& B hits, reaching number two and number three respectively on the Billboard Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs , while the controversial " Baby Mama (song)|Baby Mama " - which critics accused of romanticizing single motherhood http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499983/20050412/fantasia.jhtml http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499983/20050412/fantasia.jhtml MTV.com Retrieved on 05-08-07 - reached the top twenty. Barrino did even better on the Billboard Hot Adult R& B Airplay, where she was the first artist of any kind to simultaneously hold the top two spots of the top three, http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20050920/20sep20051919.html http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20050920/20sep20051919.html News.corporate.findlaw.com Retrieved on 05-08-07 and "Truth Is" spent fourteen weeks at the number one position. Barrino was named the number-one artist of the Adult Urban Contemporary format for 2005 according to the December 13, 2005 issue of Billboard (magazine)|Billboard magazine.

Through the spring and winter of 2005, Fantasia made many television appearances to promote her album. She played Aretha Franklin in an episode of the series American Dreams , singing "Respect", guest voiced on The Simpsons episode " A Star Is Torn ", and guest starred as herself in a cameo role on the sitcom All of Us . She appeared three times as a musical guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno . On March 25, 2005, Fantasia performed at the thirty-sixth NAACP Image Awards in honor of Illinois Senator Barack Obama after winning the award for Outstanding Female Artist. In May 2005, Fantasia went on her first tour with her own live band, with soul singers Kem (singer)|Kem and Rashaan Patterson . She also appeared as a headliner at several music festivals including the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival and the Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica . In October 2005, she received good notices as an opening act for Kanye West 's Touch the Sky Tour. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511361/10122005/west_kanye.jhtm http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511361/10122005/west_kanye.jhtm MTV.com Retrieved on 05-08-07

2006–2007: Fantasia and The Color Purple on Broadway


In 2006, Barrino was nominated for three Grammy Award s for her debut album. Though she did not win any awards, she performed at the 48th annual telecast with several artists including Aerosmith , Joss Stone , John Legend , Maroon 5 , and Ciara in an all-star tribute to Sly and the Family Stone during the Grammy Award show.

In August 2006, Fantasia played herself in a Lifetime Television film based on her autobiography Life Is Not a Fairy Tale . The film was directed by Debbie Allen and debuted on the women’s cable network on August 19, 2006. The movie received nineteen million viewers throughout its debut weekend. Life Is Not a Fairy Tale|Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story has also become Lifetime's second most viewed program of all time. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060822/nytu132.html? .v=70 http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060822/nytu132.html? .v=70 Biz.yahoo.com Retrieved on 05-08-07

Fantasia had many musical collaborations during the fall of 2006 including a remake of The Clark Sisters' "Endow Me" which featured Faith Evans , Lil' Mo , and Coko of SWV , a remake of Stevie Wonder 's 1976 song " I Wish (Stevie Wonder song)|I Wish " with Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams for the Happy Feet: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack to the 2006 computer-animated film Happy Feet , and most notably her duet with Aretha Franklin which was recorded at that time and later released in 2007.

She released her self-titled second effort, Fantasia (Fantasia Barrino album)|Fantasia , on December 12, 2006. The album involved production by Missy Elliott , Swizz Beatz , Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds|Babyface , Diane Warren , and others, and has since spawned the singles " Hood Boy " produced by Tone Mason , " When I See U ", and " Only One U " and went on to be certified gold.cite web|url= http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php? id=691381ED-73A8-ED48-8EB1-F323B95F3901 |title=RIAA News Room - The Time is Now - Jul 17, 2007 |publisher=Riaa.com |date=2007-07-17 |accessdate=2010-05-02
"When I See You" became her first single to top the Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, remaining at the number one spot for eight consecutive weeks. The single stayed on the chart for over a year and was named number eight on the Billboard Best of The 2000s R& B/Hip-Hop Songs.cite web|url= http://www.billboard.com/charts-decade-end#/charts-decade-end/r-b-hip-hop-songs? year=2009| title= Billboard Best of The 2000s R& B/Hip-Hop Songs|publisher=Billboard.com|accessdate=2010-11-27

In February 2007, Fantasia appeared and performed on American Idol , and announced that she would be starring in the lead role of Celie in the Broadway theatre|Broadway musical The Color Purple (musical)|The Color Purple , the hit musical based on the Pulitzer Prize -winning The Color Purple|1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker . After appearing on American Idol and The Oprah Winfrey Show , the musical received a boost of over two million in pre-ticket sales in one week. Leading up to her first performance on April 10, 2007 the play garnered a total of 6.5 million in pre-ticket sales.

While playing the role, Fantasia earned rave reviews for her performance. New York Post critic Clive Barnes (critic)|Clive Barnes said, "... there is some elemental quality to Fantasia that is either greatness or something close to it." Upon her warm welcome to the stage Fantasia was asked to perform at the 61st Tony Awards|2007 Tony Awards in a tribute to Atlanta 's Alliance Theater in which The Color Purple got its start. In recognition of an outstanding stage debut performance, Fantasia was given the Theatre World Award and the Best Replacement Star Broadway.com Award. Fantasia was initially scheduled for a limited six-month engagement ending in October 2007 but had her run extended until January 6, 2008. The Color Purple box office saw a thirty-four-million-dollar jump in sales since Barrino started in the show, a third of the play's 100 million dollar earning since its debut in 2005. The New York Post reported that Barrino missed nearly fifty performances in the show, causing the producers to give back tens of thousands of dollars in refunds. http://www.nypost.com/seven/12122007/entertainment/theater/fantasias_purple_flu_453359.htm 1 In the September 2008 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine, Barrino revealed that the reason for her absences in The Color Purple was because of the development of a cyst on her vocal folds|vocal cords . She was ordered to immediately undergo surgery which later revealed that she in fact had a tumor on her vocal cords. She now reports that after a successful surgery, the tumor was completely removed and she is now well. http://www.s2smagazine.com/content/content.asp? issueid=200809& listid=14 Dead link|date=May 2010

2008–2010: Back to Me and Fantasia for Real


Fantasia received two Grammy nominations for her sophomore release, Fantasia and subsequently began work on her third studio album in 2008. She stated on the red carpet of the 2008 Grammy Awards that the style of the new album would be a blending of the avenues she has touched musically, which include American Idol and Broadway. She also revealed that she would be writing some of the album's songs and would collaborate again with Missy Elliott, The Underdogs (duo)|The Underdogs , and Midi Mafia , who produced one of her biggest hits, "When I See U".

Midi Mafia produced the majority of Fantasia's third studio album.cite web|url= http://www.gangstasparty.com/usa/rap/news2440.html |title=NEWS2440 |publisher=Gangstasparty.Com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-02 Also, hip hop music|hip hop duo Rock City were confirmed to be writing for the new project. At the time, they had recorded four songs together. She also worked with songwriter/producer Rich King (Brandy "1st and love", Randy Jackson Music club vol.1, John Legend's "Quickly"), which spawned two songs with for her third release. KP, Eric Hudson and Raphael Saadiq are a few people that also became involved on the project. Fantasia confirmed that about 75% of the album was complete by mid-2009, and that fans should've expected a new single by the fall of 2009, with the album due to be released in early 2010. This was later delayed, and while recording her new album, Fantasia decided to do a great deal of it the "old fashioned way," inviting a live orchestra to record in the studio with her. http://www.soulofrnb.com/? p=1640 Fantasia Records Next Album With Live Backings.

Fantasia was then cast by Oprah Winfrey as Celie in the film adaptation of The Color Purple musical, which began production after the release of her third album, as Fantasia confirmed to MTV News on March 5, 2008. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/03/05/fantasia-and-oprah-bring-the-color-purple-back-to-hollywood-as-musical/ Fantasia And Oprah Bring ‘The Color Purple’ Back To Hollywood As Musical » MTV Movies Blog

In June 2008, Entertainment Weekly reported that Fantasia was dropped from 19 Entertainment because of creative differences, however, she will remain with 19 Recordings and J Records. She also revealed that after the release of her third album, she plans to release a gospel album.cite web|last=Halperin |first=Shirley |url= http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/06/fantasia.html |title=Fantasia dropped by 19 Management? & #124; EW.com |publisher=Hollywoodinsider.ew.com |date=2008-06-26 |accessdate=2010-05-02 She performed with her mother, Diane Barrino, in a Thanksgiving special on Black Entertainment Television|BET 's Bobby Jones Gospel . Fantasia also appeared on Jennifer Hudson 's Jennifer Hudson (album)|self-titled album , on the song "I'm His Only Woman", which was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award, though it did not win.

Fantasia reprised the role of Celie in the national tour of The Color Purple during its Washington D.C. , Chicago , Atlanta , and Los Angeles stops. http://www.theatermania.com/touring-productions/news/05-2009/fantasia-set-for-color-purple-in-atlanta-chicago-d_17910.html Fantasia Set for Color Purple in Atlanta, Chicago, D.C. and L.A.

Fantasia also stars in a reality show produced by World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder . Titled Fantasia for Real , it premiered on January 11, 2010, on VH1 to rave reviews and ratings.cite web|url= http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-idol-winner-and-platinum-selling-artist-fantasia-vh1-and-world-of-wonder-team-up-for-new-docu-series-fantasia-for-real-78216057.html |title=American Idol Winner and Platinum-Selling Artist Fantasia, VH1 and World of Wonder Team Up... - SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ |location=California |publisher=Prnewswire.com |date=2010-01-11 |accessdate=2010-05-02 The show's first season ended in July 2010 with its second began on September 19, 2010.

On February 2, 2010, "Even Angels", produced by Stereotypes (producers)|The Stereotypes and written by Heather Bright, was never released to radio from Fantasia's third studio album. She performed the song on The Oprah Winfrey Show on February 3, 2010.cite web|url= http://www.wsoctv.com/station/4181056/detail.html |title=Next Oprah: Supermodel Naomi Campbell: The Career, The Controversy & Her New Love - WSOC-TV News Story - WSOC Charlotte |publisher=Wsoctv.com |date=2010-02-05 |accessdate=2010-05-02 The album's first official single, " Bittersweet (Fantasia song)|Bittersweet ", was released on May 11, 2010 and has gone on to reach number seven on the Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well as number seventy-four on the Billboard Hot 100. http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases AllAccess.com

Fantasia's third studio album, Back to Me (Fantasia album)|Back to Me , was released on August 24, 2010. http://www.fantasiaofficial.com/ FantasiaOfficial.com Fantasia cited Tina Turner , Queen (band)|Queen and Aretha Franklin as influences, and like musicians she admired from their era, she recorded with a live band.cite news|url= http://gotriad.news-record.com/content/2010/11/17/article/after_meltdown_fantasia_lives_for_herself|title=After meltdown, Fantasia lives for herself
|last=Bringle|first=Jennifer|work= News & Record |date=2010-11-18|accessdate=2010-11-18
The album has been promoted by appearances on Good Morning America and The Wendy Williams Show among others. On March 28, 2010, Barrino also performed " America the Beautiful " at WWE WrestleMania XXVI . To promote the album, Barrino embarked on her first solo concert tour, Back to Me Tour in the fall of 2010.cite web|url= http://www.fantasiaofficial.com/us/news/fantasia-announces-back-me-tour|title=Fantasia Announces Back To Me Tour|date=2010-09-28|accessdate=2010-12-08|last=|first=|work=Fantasia Barrino's Official Website|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment

Barrino appeared on Charlie Wilson (singer)|Charlie Wilson 's album Just Charlie , on "I Want to Be Your Man."

In the summer of 2010, she appeared as a guest judge alongside Wayne Brady, on episode 11, of ''RuPaul's Drag Race .

2011-present: Grammy Award, film and fourth studio album


On February 13, 2011, Fantasia won her first Grammy Award for Best Female R& B Vocal Performance for "Bittersweet".

In 2011, Barrino was cast in her first film role, playing gospel music|gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in a biopic based on the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel. cite news|url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/idol-worship/fantasia-lands-lead-mahalia-jackson-97485|title=Fantasia Lands Lead in Mahalia Jackson Biopic|publisher= The Hollywood Reporter |first=Stacey|last=Wilson|date=February 8, 2011|accessdate=February 20, 2011 It was later reported that the film was fully endorsed by the Mahalia Jackson estate. Fantasia also would receive not only the top salary in the project but a percentage of the box office revenue the film creates. Production was originally planned to begin on October 2011 in New Orleans and Chicago with a release date of late 2012 and a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival .cite news|url= http://www.singersroom.com/news/7199/Fantasia-Tapped-to-Play-Gospel-Great-Mahalia-Jackson-in-New-Biopic|title=Fantasia Tapped to Play Gospel Great Mahalia Jackson in New Biopic|publisher= The SingersRoom |first=SR|last=Staff|date=June 10, 2011|accessdate=June 16, 2011 It was however reported later that Fantasia may have lost the film role after she announced her pregnancy in August 2011, with members of Mahalia Jackson’s estate reportedly being unhappy that Barrino got pregnant by a married man, and producers were mad that she did not disclose her pregnancy. It was also reported that scheduling conflicts had arisen due to Barrino’s pregnancy, which may force the director to drop from the project. http://voice-online.co.uk/article/fantasia-dropped-movie Fantasia Dropped From Movie? Double Dutch Productions LLC, the production company behind Mahalia!, released a statement, which read it "extends apologies to Fantasia Barrino for the inaccurate, non-factual and disparaging statements of Ms. Barrino’s reputation, character and image." http://www.s2smagazine.com/stories/2011/10/mahalia-producers-apologize 'Mahalia!' producers apologize

During an interview with CNN , Aretha Franklin has expressed interests in casting Barrino to play her in an upcoming biopic. http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/02/08/aretha.franklin/index.html Aretha Franklin feels 'absolutely super' ahead of Grammy tribute, CNN , February 9, 2011.

On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records . With the shutdown, Barrino (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release her future material on the RCA Records brand. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp? id=2268707

On February 13, 2012 VH1 named Barino 32nd out of the 100 Greatest Women in Music. http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-02-13/vh1s-100-greatest-women-in-music-complete-list/

Barrino confirmed via Twitter that she was back in the studio working on her fourth studio album.

Personal life


In September 2005, Barrino published a memoir, dictated to a freelance writer, titled Life Is Not a Fairy Tale . The book became a New York Times best-seller, reaching number seven on the list.Citation needed|date=August 2010 In it, she revealed she is functional illiteracy|functionally illiterate and was unable to read the text of contracts she signed or to read to her then four-year-old daughter.cite news| url= http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-10-01-fantasiailliterate_x.htm | work=USA Today | title=Fantasia Barrino reveals she's illiterate | date=October 2, 2005 | accessdate=May 2, 2010 In 2006, following the release of her autobiography, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale , Barrino's father sued her for $10 million after she said unflattering things about him in the book that he claimed were false. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,216046,00.html Fox News

On December 9, 2008, Barrino's convert|6600|sqft|m2|adj=on, lakefront home in Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte 's Glynmoor Lakes at South Charlotte|Piper Glen community was in foreclosure and would be up for auction . Her convert|4500|sqft|m2|adj=on home, also in Piper Glen, is unaffected. http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/eyoqdhyugea6nyi7y7hz2ft7fhv6xdr2jdu7g4hm4qan5c5tdai37gpujnetcmlgeobyoqtcbdlovc5z3w4er6aw25h/BarrinoReal.pdf Mecklenburg County Foreclosure Documentdead link|date=April 2012 http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/404536.html "'Idol' Fantasia's house in foreclosure", The Charlotte Observer , December 9, 2008.dead link|date=April 2012 The home was due to be auctioned in January 2009 by the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office after the company Broward Energy Partners, which had paid over $68,000 of her taxes in 2006, said it had not been fully repaid. The auction earnings were to be used to finish reimbursing the company for the loan,cite magazine|url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245366,00.html|work= People (magazine)|People |title=Fantasia Barrino Has to Auction Home to Cover a Loan|date= December 10, 2008|archivedate=March 29, 2011|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110329060734/ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245366,00.html|deadurl=no on which Barrino had only paid back $10,000.cite web|url= http://www.eonline.com/news/fantasia_practices_good_housekeeping/78551|title=Fantasia Practices Good Housekeeping |date=January 11, 2009|first=Natalie|last= Finn|publisher= E!|E& #33; Online |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/66mBRwU4b| archivedate=April 8, 2012|deadurl=no The auction was canceled after Barrino's attorneys and the lender reach an "eleventh-hour deal", the details of which were not disclosed.

Her uncles, The Barrino Brothers , were a 1970s R& B band and her brother is Grand Hustle recording artist Ricco Barrino .

An August 2010 divorce filing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County District Court alleges that Barrino has had a year-long relationship with Antwaun Cook, who was married.cite news|url= http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/11/1616507/for-idols-fantasia-life-takes.html|title=For Idol's' Fantasia, life takes another dark turn|last=Washburn|first=Mark|work= The Charlotte Observer |date=2010-08-11|accessdate=2010-08-19 Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot Barrino claimed the two began dating after Cook and his wife separated.cite news|url= http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/08/26/article/fantasia_vows_to_rise_above_the_drama_in_her_life
|title=Fantasia vows to rise above the drama in her life|last=Moody|first=Nekesa Mumbi|work= News & Record |agency= Associated Press |date=2010-08-26|accessdate=2010-08-28


On August 9, 2010, Barrino was hospitalized in Pineville, North Carolina ,cite news|url= http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/10/1614757/idol-fantasia-barrino-hospitalized.html|title='Idol' Fantasia Barrino hospitalized|last=Wootson|first=Cleve R.|work= The Charlotte Observer |date=2010-08-10|accessdate=2010-08-12 Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot due to overdosing on aspirin and an unknown sleep aid . Dickens said, "'Her injuries are not life threatening … she was dehydrated and exhausted at the time." The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department classified the incident as a failed suicide attempt|suicide attempt .cite news|url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20409338,00.html? xid=rss-fullcontent|title=Manager: Fantasia Took an Overdose of Aspirin and a Sleep Aid|last=Oh|first=Eunice|work=People|date=2010-08-10|accessdate=2010-08-11 In transcript segments released the day before an August 24, 2010, interview on the VH1 series Behind the Music , Barrino confirmed the incident was a suicide attempt, saying, "I didn't care about anything. I just wanted out. At that moment I wanted out. I wanted it to be over with...."Serpe, Serpe. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b196559_fantasia_talks_suicide_attempt_i_just.html "Fantasia Talks Suicide Attempt: 'I Just Wanted Out'", E!|E& #33; Online , August 23, 2010 Barrino denied rumors that the incident was a publicity stunt.

Afterward, Barrino said, "Music saved me. When I went in the hospital, I went into the computer room, and I looked up artists who've been through things, artists who sing from their soul. I took my cues from them, and I just put my mind and everything into music." She also relied on her family, something she had not done earlier in her career. Barrino testified in court that she aborted her and Cook's fetus around the time of her failed suicide attempt. http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/exclusive-audio-fantasia-admits-court-she-aborted-married-lovers-child-listen-it EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Fantasia Admits In Court She Aborted Married Lover's Child - Listen To It Here | Radar Online

In late August 2010, the ex-wife of Antwuan Cook, Paula Cook, accused Barrino of knowingly pursuing a relationship with her husband despite knowledge of their existing marriage. In December 2010, a North Carolina judge ruled in Barrino's favor stating the Cooks' separation date was September 14, 2009, and not June 2010 as Paula previously claimed. No information was given yet as to how the decision of the court will affect Paula's original plan to sue Fantasia under North Carolina's Alienation of affections Law which allows the abandoned spouse to file a suit against the individual(s) responsible for the failure of the marriage. http://www.singersroom.com/news/6604/Courts-Rule-in-Favor-of-Fantasias-Married-Lover Courts Rule in Favor of Fantasia's Married Lover - Singersroom.com

On August 1, 2011, Barrino announced a second pregnancy during a charity concert event in Jacksonville, Florida. She did not reveal the name of the father. http://www.toofab.com/2011/08/01/fantasia-barrino-pregnant-baby-antwaun-cook-american-idol/ On September 13, 2011 it was confirmed that the singer would be having a boy. On December 13, 2011 she gave birth to a son, Dallas Xavier Barrino by Antwaun Cook. http://www.s2smagazine.com/stories/2011/12/breaking-fantasia-delivers-son

Filmography


Films
  • Life Is Not a Fairy Tale (2006) as herself

  • Mahalia! (2012) (as Mahalia Jackson ; lead role in the film)


  • Theatre
  • The Color Purple (musical)|The Color Purple (2007) as Celie

  • ''Soul Kitten's Cabaret (2011) (Good Conscience)


  • Television appearances


  • American Idol (2004) (Contestant/Winner in 2004 and has made numerous musical guest appearances on seasons afterwards)

  • The Simpsons (2005) She plays Clarissa Wellington in the episode A Star Is Torn .

  • An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Aretha Franklin (2007)(Herself; tribute performer singing " Rock Steady (Aretha Franklin song)|Rock Steady " & " Baby I Love You (Aretha Franklin song)|Baby I Love You ")

  • An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Patti LaBelle (2009) (Herself; tribute performer singing " Lady Marmalade " and " Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is) ")

  • Soul Train Awards (2009;Tribute to Chaka Khan singing " Tell Me Something Good ")

  • BET Celebration of Gospel (Appeared in numerous years singing)

  • Fantasia for Real (2010–present)

  • Wrestlemania 26 (2010) (singing America the Beautiful )

  • Black Girls Rock (2010) (Herself, singing " A Brand New Day (The Wiz song)|A Brand New Day " and " I'm Every Woman ")

  • An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Chaka Khan (2011) (Herself; tribute performer singing " Tell Me Something Good ")

  • '' RuPaul's Drag Race '' (2011) (Celebrity Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3)|Season 3 )

  • American Idol (2011) (guest performer American Idol (season 10)|Season 10 )

  • Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (2012) (Performed "Total Praise" alone & "He's Done Enough" with her mother Diane Barrino)


  • Discography


    Main|Fantasia Barrino discography
  • Free Yourself (2004)

  • Fantasia (Fantasia Barrino album)|Fantasia (2006)

  • Back to Me (Fantasia album)|Back to Me (2010)


  • Awards and nominations


    YearAwardCategoryResult
    2004 Billboard Music Awards Top Selling Single of the Year ("I Believe")won
    Top Selling R& B/ Hip-Hop Single of the Year ("I Believe")won
    2005 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Female Artistwon
    Billboard American Urban Radio NetworksTop R& B/ Hip-Hop Single ("I Believe")won
    Vibe Music Award R& B Voice of the Yearnom
    American Music Awards Favorite Soul/ R& B Female Artistnom
    Favorite Soul/ R& B Album ( Free Yourself )nom
    BET Awards Best Female R& B Artistnom
    Best New Artistnom
    Soul Train Music Award Best R& B/ Soul or Rap New Artistnom
    2006 Grammy Awards Best Female R& B Vocal Performance ("Free Yourself")nom
    Best Traditional R& B Vocal Performance ("Summertime")nom
    Best R& B Album ("Free Yourself")nom
    ASCAPMost Performed Song ("Free Yourself")won
    Most Performed Song ("Truth is")won
    Groovevolt Music AwardsBest New Artistwon
    Soul Train Music Award Best Female R& B/ Soul Album ( Free Yourself )nom
    2007 American Music Awards Favorite Soul/ R& B Female Artistnom
    Theatre World Award Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance - "The Color Purple"won
    Broadway.com AwardFavorite (Female) Replacement - "The Color Purple"won
    NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Female Artistnom
    Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatical Special (as Fantasia Barrino)nom
    2008 Grammy Awards Best Female R& B Vocal Performance ("When I See U")nom
    Best Contemporary R& B Album ("Fantasia")nom
    Greensboro sit-ins Organization Founder's Appreciation Awardwon
    NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Duo or Group Collaboration (" Put You Up On Game ")nom
    2009NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Duo or Group (with Jennifer Hudson )won
    Grammy Awards Best R& B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal ("I'm His Only Woman")nom
    2010 Barbados Music Awards International Award of Excellencewon
    Soul Train AwardsBest R& B/ Soul Female Artistnom
    Record of the Year (Songwriter's Award) ("Bittersweet")nom
    Grammy Awards Best R& B Album ("Back to Me")nom
    Best Female R& B Vocal Performance ("Bittersweet")won
    2011NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Song ("Bittersweet")won
    NAACP Theater AwardDistinguished Honoreewon


    References


    reflist|colwidth=30em

    External links


  • http://www.fantasiabarrinoofficial.com/ Official Fantasia Barrino official website

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/Fantasia Official YouTube


  • IMDb name|1568881

  • IBDB name|457148

  • http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story? id=1171519& page=1 Excerpt, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale

  • http://abcnews.go.com/2020/OnlyinAmerica/Story? id=1170655& page=1 "Fantasia's Memoirs Reveal Experiences With Illiteracy, Rape", ABC News, September 30, 2005




  • S-startS-bef|before= Ruben Studdard s-ttl|title= American Idol winner|years=2004S-aft|after= Carrie Underwood S-end
    Fantasia BarrinoAmerican Idol 3American Idol
    Persondata | NAME =Barrino, Fantasia
    | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
    | SHORT DESCRIPTION =
    | DATE OF BIRTH =June 30, 1984
    | PLACE OF BIRTH = High Point, North Carolina|High Point , North Carolina , United States
    | DATE OF DEATH =
    | PLACE OF DEATH =
    DEFAULTSORT:Barrino, Fantasia Category:1984 births
    Category:African-American actors
    Category:African American female singers
    Category:American Idol winners
    Category:American memoirists
    Category:American musical theatre actors
    Category:American performers of Christian music
    Category:American pop singers
    Category:American rhythm and blues singers
    Category:American soul singers
    Category:American stage actors
    Category:Grammy Award winners
    Category:Living people
    Category:Musicians from North Carolina
    Category:People from High Point, North Carolina
    Category:J Records artists
    Category:RCA Records artists

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    Copyright Citations

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    Fantasia Barrino Photo by: images2.alloy.com



          

     
       
     
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