Fantasia After 'Idol': From Fairy Tale to Bad Dream

By Rob Shuter Posted Aug 11th 2010 08:48AM

Six years after triumphantly winning the third season of 'American Idol,' Fantasia Barrino was rushed to a North Carolina hospital this week where she is being treated for an aspirin and sleeping pill overdose. This tragic U-turn in her fortunes has many asking: How did her fairytale life turn so quickly into a nightmare?

"Fantasia wrongly assumed that after she won 'Idol' that all her worries would disappear, and for a while they did," a friend of the singer tells me.

In 2004, Fantasia's debut single, 'I Believe,' made her the first artist in history to ever have their first single debut at number one. It remained in the top slot for eleven consecutive weeks, becoming the top selling single of 2004 in the USA. Her debut album, 'Free Yourself,' was released in November 2004 and was a huge hit -- in its first week, the album sold over 240,000 copies on its way to going platinum and earned Fantasia four Grammy nominations.

It was official. Fantasia, the single mother who once worried about paying her rent, was now the one thing she had only ever dreamed about becoming: a star.

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Fantasia Fotos

Fantasia poses backstage during the VH1 Upfronts at Pier 59 Studios on April 20 in New York City. Check out more pics of the 'Idol' champ >>

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Fantasia Fotos

NEW YORK - APRIL 20: (FILE PHOTO) Singer Fantasia poses backstage during the Vh1 Upfront 2010 at Pier 59 Studios on April 20, 2010 in New York City. Fantasia has been hospitalized after an overdose of pills. According to her manager Brian Denkins she is now in stable condition. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fantasia

Fantasia Fotos

NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Singer Fantasia and TV personality Ray J pose backstage during the Vh1 Upfront 2010 at Pier 59 Studios on April 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fantasia;Ray J

Fantasia Fotos

NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Singers Brandy (L) and Fantasia speak backstage during the Vh1 Upfront 2010 at Pier 59 Studios on April 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandy;Fantasia

Fantasia Fotos

NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Singer Fantasia poses backstage during the Vh1 Upfront 2010 at Pier 59 Studios on April 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fantasia

Fantasia Fotos

NEW YORK - APRIL 20: (L-R) Singer Fantasia, TV personality Ray J and singer Brandy pose backstage during the Vh1 Upfront 2010 at Pier 59 Studios on April 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fantasia;Ray J;Brandy

Fantasia Fotos

In August of that same year, Fantasia played herself in a hit Lifetime Television original film based on her autobiography, 'Life Is Not a Fairy Tale.' Nineteen million viewers tuned in to catch the flick its debut weekend. Everything was going perfect for the young lady from North Carolina.

The following year, her self-titled second album, 'Fantasia,' was released, and although it didn't do as well as her first CD, it was certified gold. Fantasia surprised everyone the following year when she announced she was putting her recording career on hold to star in the lead role of Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.' (I saw her in the production and she was simply breathtaking.)

However, that's when things started to go wrong. First, Fantasia hurt her vocal cords while on Broadway, causing her to miss several shows. She was also dropped from the powerful 19 Entertainment management company and watched as her beloved $1.1 million home in Charlotte was put up for auction after she failed to repay money she was loaned to cover her 2006 taxes.

"It was very clear that the people she was surrounding herself with were not giving her great advice. It's very easy to think when you are on the top that the ride will never end," one industry insider tells me. "By the looks of things, she has very little to show for all the hard work she did. Where is all the money she earned? Very, very few artists have long-term careers like Madonna, the secret is to save as much as possible and make smart decisions while you are at the top. I'm afraid Fantasia didn't do this."

In addition to her financial troubles, Fantasia found herself at the middle of a very embarrassing scandal last week involving a married man and a sex tape.

"It all just got be too much for her," a record industry insider tells me. "Everyone wanted to be her friend the year she won 'Idol.' Now she's alone, wondering where have all those people gone."

Even with all the fair-weather friends, Fantasia isn't without her loyalists, including fellow 'Idol' winner Taylor Hicks.

"I've always been a huge Fantasia fan right from the first time I saw her on 'Idol,'" Hicks told me exclusively. "It was great to catch up and perform on stage with her at the 'American Idol' finale a few months ago. She was totally on her game and I hope to see her back singing again soon."

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Tags: American Idol, fantasia

Comments

(433)

Wednesday 11 August

By Mary

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Tasia if you are reading this know you are loved. Don't let this get you down woman of God. Go back to basics get back into the word. Don't allow the enemy to still your joy. You know better. We may fall down but the key is to get back up. Forget about the man the tape and the wife and give it to God. Yes people will talk and gossip but remember they did it to Jesus. Get up and get back. And to all of the negative people regardless of what yall want to say remember what the bible says let he without sin cast the first stone. Just because your business is not out don't mean you don't have dirty laundry. If you are not going to help the situation don't hurt the situation.

By New York

I agree. You are an amazing entertainer & have so much to be thankful for. Everyone makes mistakes it's ok that is how we learn. Don't be so hard on yourself, learn to forgive yourself & start over. There are many who do love you & we will be praying for you & waiting for your next CD.

By Mrs. H. Edwards

Thank you ,I fill the same way as you.

By Rhonda

WELL SAID!

By Cyndi

I totally agree...you were blessed with a gift. Get some real people around you. Supportive, god fearing people, someone you can call on in the middle of the night...leave all those money hungry, people who always have their hands out alone...You know who loves you when things get bad...Jesus...turn to him baby...He's there...

By adivanai

Good words, well put, It's people like you that make my day. We all should lift each other up not tear one another down. Everyone makes mistakes so lets pray for Fantasia...

By C assandra

WELL PUT, ENOUGH SAID!!!!! Bless you

Thursday 12 August

By wendell

Great advise! In the future, please remember to surround yourself with those who can help and guide you and who sincerely care about you. God bless you.

By Danny

Mary, You are right.. AND I Love Fantasia..even thought I can not hear or never hear her voice.. (I am Deaf) BUT I can feel the vibration from her songs AND I loved it!! As matter of fact, I can read her body languages.. I do know that She tried very hard to be successful.. I do know that God WILL take care of it.. No matter what! I still love her!! AND I love you too from you wrote.. I agree with you more than you ever know.. GOD Bless!!

By NAS

I AGREE WITH YOU 100% MARY.I ADMIRE FANTASIA SO MUCH...SHE HAS A GOOD HEART FROM WHAT I CAN SEE.DID U NOTICE THE WAY SHE GOES ALL OUT FOR HER FAMILY WHEN HER REALITY SHOW AIRED! I HOPE SHE CAN READ THIS, AND TAKE YOUR GREAT ADVICE!

By cathy norton

Excellent advice for Fantasia, and lots of other people.....You go, mighty woman of God!!

By Joe Johnson Jr

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AMAN

By L.A. Say

Mary your words are wise and inspiring. You have said everything I was thinking...nothing else needs to be said.

By Mr Sensitivity

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Woman of God my behind! She's a singing ho! No more, no less. She's just not very bright.

By duna

you tell em girl

By MissToni

Beautiful and Godly advice. Hold your head up high and NEVER doubt in HIS love for all of us. Be Strong, Be Blessed you have your child to consider in all things.

By M.Howard

I totally agree with you.We all fall at sometime in life but the sweet thing about it is when you get back up, thank you LORD. love you Fantasia.

By Mimi

Amen my sister!!!

By dorothy

Amen!!

By Felicia

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Amen to that my sister, i knew Tasia personally thru a mutual friend when they were all trying to make it in music and taking whatever small gigs they could. I love Tasia and Rico very much that has never changed, except for losing touch thru all the hype. but as u say if God was to pull the cover back on most of us it would not be a pretty sight because we all have made our mistakes. Tasia if ur reading or listening this is only a test, don't let the haters mess up your testimony. God can and will see you through it, but you have to willing to put ALL OF YOUR TRUST IN HIM AND HIM ALONE.

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