Messages behind the Musical Artist: Fantasia Barrino Trivia

Messages behind the Musical Artist: Fantasia Barrino Trivia by Roxanne McDonald

I always want people to - to get the message that I’m trying to send out. You know, I’ve been through some things, so when I get up there and sing my songs, I’m like, Hey, I’ve been through it, and I want to encourage somebody else that if you’re going through it, you can come out. ~ Fantasia Barrino

Even if she hadn’t won season 3 of American Idol, Fantasia Barrino would have taken her spectacular singing self to the greatest of heights. A positive attitude, an inspirational approach, and a voice that rivals rhythm and blues veterans, Fantasia continues to storm the stages of music, drama, and even literary offerings.

Accolades/Awards

I’ve been wanting to sing for a long time. I’ve been singing all my life, and I’ve tried different record companies, but it seemed like - it was such a struggle and so hard to get out there. So, I said, “I’m gonna go on American Idol and see how far it takes me. ~ Fantasia Barrino

2004 – Her version of the Porgy and Bess classic, “Summertime”, was named as One of Television’s Greatest Moments by the 2004 Emmy Awards

2005 [March] – Won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist

2005 [May] – Became first female artist ever to have three songs in the R & B Top Five: “Truth Is”, “Free Yourself”, and “I Believe”

2005 [May] Became first artist to have two songs in the Top Three: “Truth Is” and “Free Yourself” in the #2 and #3 spots, respectively

Became the first female artist to place #1 on the Billboard Top 100 with a first album/record—with her version of “Summertime”

2005 - Within two months of releasing Free Yourself, her debut album went platinum–selling over a million copies

2005 [December] – Named #1 Artist of Adult Urban Contemporary Format by Billboard Magazine

2005 – Life is Not a Fairytale reached no. 7 on the New York Times Bestsellers list

2007 – Named one of the Hottest Women in Music by Blender.com

2007 [June] Her second album, Fantasia, went Gold

Rumors and Rumblings About…

Has several honorifics, nicknames that include “Bobo”, “Tasia”, and “Fantasia Fantastic”

Endured physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from ex-, Brandon Shouse (her daughter’s bio-father)

During her first years at T. Wingate Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina, experienced a sexual assault that triggered feelings of shame, harassment, and subsequently triggered her decision to leave school

Takes musical influences from Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Shirley Caesar, and The Clark Sisters

The week she landed in the Bottom 3 of Idol (with Jennifer Hudson and LaToya London), viewers and guest performer Elton John suggested the voting/outcome was “racist”; when she began climbing to the top of the competition, the rumbles included how she Fantasia had an easier time once fellow African-American artists London and Hudson were voted off and how should she win, she might not be all that fine a role model…what with being poor and a single mother and all

In a 20/20 interview, disclosed she is functionally illiterate—unable to read contracts and learning songs by memorization (a coping/survival strategy very common for illiterate individuals)

Associations/Actions

I want to do all types of music, music for all people. I want my music to be encouraging, to help people. ~ Fantasia Barrino

Is mother to daughter Zion Quari Barrino

Is cousin to Jodeci founders K-Ci and JoJo Hailey

Has collaborated with such well-knowns as Missy Elliot, Swizz Beatz, Dre & Vidal, and Diane Warren; and besides touring with Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and other Idol winners, worked with co-contestant Tamyra Gray, wrote her hit song “I Believe” and who also performed back-up vocals for the song

Was member of The Barrino Family, a singing troupe touring, performing, and recording such pieces as the album, Miracles

Auditioned for American Idol with “Proud Mary” (Ike/Tina Turner)

2004 – Toured as an Idol finalist with Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, et. al.

2004 – Appeared in the “Home for the Holidays” Christmas Special, featured with Kelly and Ruben

2005 - Released what would become a best-selling autobiography, Life Is Not A Fairy Tale

2005 – Toured with Kanye West and Keyshia Cole—as the opening act

Did voice work on “The Simpsons”

Appeared on the popular day and night talk shows, as well as on “American Dreams” as Aretha Franklin and on “All of Us,” as herself

Performed headliners at numerous music festivals, including the Reggae Sumfest and the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival

Performed at the 36th NAACP Image Awards, following her award for Outstanding Female Artist

2006 – Took the role of Fantasia Barrino in the Lifetime movie version of her autobiography, Life is Not a Fairy Tale [the movie becoming Lifetime’s second most-viewed movie ever]
2006 [December] – Released second album, Fantasia—which she recorded under the auspices of new management, having severed working ties with 19 Management and Idol and moving over to Violator Management

2007 – Has left Violator Management and reconnected with 19 Management; is working as a featured artist on Aretha Franklin’s newest album, A Woman Falling out of Love; is starring on Broadway as Celie in the musical The Color Purple (for which her performance of “I’m Here” on American Idol and on Oprah in February spurred pre-ticket sales of more than two million!)

SirLinksAlot Fantasia Barrino links
SirLinksAlot American Idol links

2 Comments »

1. I’m just so happy for Fantasia. I had to copy this article so that the next time I see someone bashing her online and saying that she’s off the radar, and she’s nothing compared to so and so, I’ll be like “Bam” if you don’t know, you better ask somebody!

   Comment by Nappyme — July 10, 2007 @ 4:36 am

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2. Thanks, Nappy. I agree that we should ambitiously discount the ratty old naysayers. Never in all the seasons of Idol has a contestant made me cry more often! Such a remarkable talent is Fantasia.

   Respectfully,
   RM

   Comment by Roxanne — August 8, 2007 @ 12:30 am

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