- Fantasia Barrino
Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Fantasia Barrino
Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Fantasia Monique Barrino
Born = birth date and age|1984|6|30
Origin = High Point,North Carolina ,United States
Genre = R&B,hip hop soul , soul
Occupation =Singer ,actress ,author
Years_active = 2004-present
Label =J Records (2004 - Present)
Associated acts =
Notable_albums =
URL = [http://www.fantasiabarrinoofficial.com FantasiaBarrinoOfficial.com]Fantasia Monique Barrino (born
June 30 ,1984 ), or simply Fantasia, is an American R&B/soul singer and Broadwayactress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the television series "American Idol " in 2004. After having played the part of Celie in the Broadway musical "The Color Purple", Fantasia is cast to be in the movie version of the musical.Biography
Early life
Fantasia was born and raised in
High Point, North Carolina , to Joseph & Diane Barrino. In her autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairytale", Fantasia who isAfrican American [http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/fantasia_barrino/index.shtml] explains that a family rumor suggests her father was ofCuban descent, but there are no sources to verify that claim. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=1171519&page=1 http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=1171519&page=1] "ABCnews.go.com" Retrieved on 05-08-07 ]The Barrino Family traveled and performed in the Carolinas and elsewhere in the American South and recorded the CD "Miracles" for a local label. Fantasia's singing style was shaped by the example of Gospel singers like
Shirley Caesar andThe Clark Sisters . Rhythm & Blues singers such asPatti LaBelle ,Aretha Franklin andChaka Khan also left a strong impact on young Fantasia.She attended T. Wingate Andrews High School in
High Point, North Carolina . After she was raped 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 was left feeling harassed and embarrassed and dropped out of high school. In a later relationship, she became pregnant at age 17, onAugust 8 ,2001 , she gave birth to her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino. She broke up with Zion's father for what she has described as physical abuse. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/2020/OnlyinAmerica/Story?id=1170655&page=1] http://abcnews.go.com/2020/OnlyinAmerica/Story?id=1170655&page=1]"American Idol"
Fantasia made an immediate impression on "American Idol" with her stylized, gospel influenced sound, and her explosive stage presence. Her 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, begun seated, of the "Porgy and Bess " standard "Summertime" that left her in tears from "feeling the song" and earned praise from the judges, as well as landing her on theEmmy Awards 's 2004 list of greatest television moments. "Summertime" was also labeled by idol judgeRandy Jackson as the best performance in the shows history.Nevertheless, Fantasia's rise to the final two on "American Idol" was plagued with controversies, including accusations of racism when she and two other well-praised
African American female singers in the competition,La Toya London andJennifer Hudson , all landed in the bottom three of that week's voting. Guest artistElton John labeled the outcome "racist". Other concerns were raised over her as a single mother being a poorrole model for youth. [ [http://www.beliefnet.com/story/157/story_15716_1.html http://www.beliefnet.com/story/157/story_15716_1.html] "Beliefnet.com" Retrieved on 05-08-07 ]For the final performance of the season, Fantasia offered a second performance of "Summertime" that again drew enormous praise from the judges; including
Simon Cowell 's remarks that she was the best contestant to ever compete in any competition. This would include the over seventy "Idol" champions crowned nationally and internationally since the show began its first global incarnations. On the finale, over sixty-five million votes were cast in order to determine the winner onMay 26 ,2004 , up from twenty-four 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 theMay 23 ,2007 American Idol (season 6) finale. In the end Fantasia defeated runner-upDiana 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 nineteen, Fantasia was the youngest American Idol winner untilMay 23 ,2007 , when the 17 year-oldJordin Sparks won the title.Fantasia participated in the U.S. tour with the other "American Idol" finalists and appeared in the 2004 Christmas special, "Kelly, Ruben and Fantasia: Home For the Holidays.
Post-"Idol" Career
2004-2005: "Free Yourself"
In June 2004, Fantasia released her debut single, "I Believe", which later debuted at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. This number-one debut made Fantasia the first artist in history to achieve this with a first single. 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 theCRIA . Barrino also won three "Billboard" Awards for the single.Fantasia released her debut studio album, "
Free Yourself ", in November 2004. It debuted at number eight on theBillboard 200 pop album chart, 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 " becameR&B hits, reaching number two and number three respectively on the "Billboard"R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart , while the controversial "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 BillboardAdult R&B Airplay , where she was the first artist of any kind to simultaneously have two of the top three songs, [ [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 theDecember 13 ,2005 "Billboard Magazine ".Through 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 " withJay Leno . OnMarch 25 ,2005 , Fantasia performed at the thirty-sixthNAACP Image Awards in honor ofIllinois SenatorBarack 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 singersKem andRashaan Patterson . She also appeared as a headliner at several music festivals including theSaint Lucia Jazz Festival and theReggae Sumfest inJamaica . In October 2005, she received good notices as an opening act forKanye 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 ]September 2005, Fantasia published her memoirs (which she dictated to a freelance writer), "
Life Is Not a Fairy Tale ". The book quickly became a "New York Times " Bestseller, reaching number seven on the list. In it she revealed that she was functionally illiterate. She discussed this in an interview on ABC's "20/20 ", [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051001/ap_on_en_mu/people_fantasia_barrino http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051001/ap_on_en_mu/people_fantasia_barrino] "News.yahoo.com" Retrieved on 05-08-07 ] saying she only had enough skills to get by, but was unable to recognize unfamiliar words.2006-2007: "Fantasia" and "The Color Purple" on Broadway
In 2006, Fantasia was nominated for four
Grammy Award s for her debut album. Though she didn't win any of them, she performed at the 48th annual telecast with several artists includingAerosmith ,Joss Stone ,John Legend ,Maroon 5 , andCiara in an all-star tribute toSly 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 byDebbie Allen and debuted on the women’s cable network on Saturday,August 19 ,2006 . The movie received nineteen million viewers throughout its debut weekend. "" 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 "Endow Me" (originally sung by the Clark Sisters) which featuredFaith Evans ,Lil Mo andCoko ofSWV , a remake withPatti LaBelle &Yolanda Adams for the Movie Soundtrack and most notably her duet with Aretha Franklin which was recorded at that time and later released in 2007. She released her self-titled sophomore effort, "Fantasia", onDecember 12 2006 . The album involved production byMissy Elliott ,Swizz Beatz ,Babyface ,Diane Warren & others, and has since spawned the singles "Hood Boy ","When I See U " and "Only One U " and went on to be CertifiedGold . [http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=691381ED-73A8-ED48-8EB1-F323B95F3901] "When I See You" became her first single to top the "Billboard"R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart , remaining at the number one spot for eight consecutive weeks.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 musical The Color Purple", the hit musical based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel byAlice 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 onApril 10 2007 the play garnered a total of 6.5 million in pre-ticket sales.While in the role, Fantasia earned rave reviews for her performance. Long-time Broadway Critic
Clive Barnes of theNY Post went on to say "...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 2007Tony Awards in a tribute to the AtlantaAlliance Theater in which the Color Purple musical got its start. In recognition of an outstanding stage debut performance, Fantasia was given theTheater 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 untilJanuary 6 2008 . The Color Purple Box Office saw a 34 million dollar jump in sales since Fantasia started in the show, a third of the play's 100 million dollar earning since its debut in 2005. NY Post reported, Barrino missed nearly 50 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 ofSister 2 Sister Magazine, Fantasia revealed that the reason for her absences in The Color Purple was because of the development of a cyst on her vocal chords. She was ordered to immediately undergo surgery which later revealed that she in fact had a tumor on her vocal chords. 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] ]2008-Present: "New Album & New Movie"
Fantasia received three Grammy nominations for her sophomore release, "Fantasia" and is currently in the studio working on her third album to be released early 2009. She stated on the red carpet of the 2008 Grammy Awards that the style of her new album will be a blending of the avenues she has touched musically, which include, American Idol and Broadway. She also revealed that she will be writing songs and will collaborate again with
Missy Elliott , The Underdogs andMidi Mafia , who produced one of her bigger hits, "When I See U ."Fantasia was cast by
Oprah Winfrey as Celie in the film adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical, which is to begin production after the release of her third album. [As Fantasia confirmed toMTV News onMarch 5 , 2008. See http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/03/05/fantasia-and-oprah-bring-the-color-purple-back-to-hollywood-as-musical/.]It was recently confirmed that Midi Mafia (When I See U), will be producing majority of Fantasia's next album. [http://www.gangstasparty.com/usa/rap/news2440.html] Also, hip hop duo, Rock City has been confirmed to be writing on the new project. So far, they have recorded 6 tracks together. [http://www.sohh.com/2008/08/atl-blog-fantas.html]
On June 26th, 2008, "Entertainment Weekly" reported that Fantasia was dropped from 19 Management, but will remain with 19 Recordings and J Records. The reason for releasing Fantasia from their management was because of creative differences. [http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/06/fantasia.html]
Fantasia recently appeared on
Jennifer Hudson 's self titled album, on the song 'I'm His Only Woman.'Family Ties
Fantasia is the first cousin of music act
K-Ci & JoJo of the groupJodeci . She's also related to singers David Hollister and Calvin Richardson.Discography
Albums
*2004:
Free Yourself
*2006: Fantasia
*2009: Untitled Third Albumingles
*2004: I Believe
*2004:Truth Is
*2005:Free Yourself
*2005: Baby Mama
*2005:Ain't Gon' Beg You
*2006:Hood Boy
*2007:When I See U
*2007:Only One U Awards
Wins
* 2004 Billboard Top selling single of the year, "I Believe"
* 2004 Billboard Top selling R&B/Hip-Hop single of the year, "I Believe"
* 2005 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist
* 2005 Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks Top R&B/hip-hop single, "I Believe"
* 2006 Groovevolt Music Awards - Best New Artist 2006
* 2006 ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop Awards - "Free Yourself"
* 2006 ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop Awards - "Truth Is"
* 2007Theatre World Award Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance - "The Color Purple"
* 2007 Broadway.com Award for Favorite (Female) Replacement - "The Color Purple"
* 2008 Founder's Appreciation Award fromGreensboro sit-ins OrganizationNominations
*2008
NAACP Image Award for Duo or Group Collaboration for "Put You Up On Game "
*2008Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "When I See U"
*2008Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "When I See U"
*2008Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for "Fantasia"
*2007American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
*2007NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist (as Fantasia)
*2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatical Special (as Fantasia Barrino)
*2006Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Free Yourself"
*2006Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for "Free Yourself"
*2006Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Summertime"
*2006Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Free Yourself"
*2006Soul Train Music Award for Best Female R&B/Soul Album, "Free Yourself"
*2005 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, "I Believe"
*2005BET Award for Best Female R&B Artist
*2005 BET Award for Best New Artist
*2005American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
*2005 American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album, "Free Yourself"
*2005 Vibe Music Award for R&B Voice of the YearNotes
* [http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=1171519&page=1 Excerpt: "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale", by Fantasia]
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