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.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=921115&pid=921114&uts=1281529770

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/music/?s_channel=us.musicpop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

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 >>

Getty Images

Getty Images North America

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."

Get Naughty! Follow Rob on Twitter

Tags: American Idol, fantasia

Comments

(433)

Wednesday 11 August

By JAZZ

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

MARY I AGREE I WILL BE PRAYING FOR HER. I ONLY WISH WE THAT STAND BY HER CAN GO TO HER FACE TO FACE JUST TO LET HER KNOW SHE IS LOVE BY SISTERS LIKE MARY, JAZZ AND SO ON

By kristielove Walls

Preach sista that is the truth. She will get back up again and brush the devil off. The devil is just trying to steal her joy and its up to her to fight the devil off.

By MS BESSIE

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

God grace is sufficient. Faith is the key.
I agree with Mary.
just remember That you are blessed and highly favored. The enemy's job is to kill and destroy. Be lead by God. But I believe Jaunita Bynum can help you. Walk in your victory and let the joy of the Lord be your stregnth. Love and Peace be with Zion. Remember you are loved
I pray God grant you peace.

By Toni

Vote down Vote up Report this

Hear Hear Mary I absolutely love and appreciate your positive message. I hope Fantasia receives it as well.

By Glo

You are so right Mary. God Can and God Will

By Bryan

Yeah, well, she seemed to be pretty uppity about the fact she was helping break up a marriage. Where's that uppity now? Fact is, she's just another squeeling, no talent yowler that sounds like two cats fighting in an oil drum. Bye bye.

By Tiwi

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

A woman of God DOES NOT have sex with a married man and she DOES NOT make a sex tape about it. Mind your words a little more carefully.

Thursday 12 August

By Ivy

love it...absolutly right...

By Nancy

TO USE PASTOR DONNIE McCLURKINS WORDS............

WE FALL DOWN
BUT WE GET UP!

GET UP AND GO AND SIN NO MORE!

WE STILL LOVE YOU.

By greatgrma

Good advice, get out there and show the people you can rise above all this with God's help. We love you!

By Patti

Mary, your words are golden and filled with honesty. Thank you for putting it out there. It is so hard in a world full of hatred, envy, jealousy and deceit. Those that try hard enough still fall and by Gods good grace, they can get back up, brush themselfs off and begin again. I hope and pray that this woman can find solace in her life.

Friday 13 August

By crystal

AMEN,SISTER!!!

By harrisjdc

HALLELUJAH anyhow! Perfectly said...............

By Nic

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.There are alot more pressing issues going on in the world right now. She did it to her self. Maybe she should worry more about her daughter than someone elses husband.

By grannie wisdom

I totally agree with you Mary.

By judejaded

It's typical and sad that 'believers' and 'Idol watchers' can't recognise a publicity stunt.

By Dee

Mary, I totally agree with you! Tasia, I'm now 38. But, when I was around your age........I was there, did that. You have to keep it moving, Sweetie. Stay strong and know that you will conquer. We fall down, but get back up and soar!!!

By mary

keep your head to the sky. we love and r praying for ur speedy recovery!!! god be with u and ur baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday 31 August

By Dr Doug

Mary,

How about a little less Jesus and a little more education for Fantasia. Let's see, no diploma, baby out of wedlock, money problems. She has a great voice and moderate talent. The problem is she didn't even have the smarts to hire people who would actually look after her interests. You know how it is: employ the relatives, then the old friends...Just because someone has been your friend since high school - it doesn't make them a good music manager!

By Erika

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Clay Aiken was actually the first artist in history to have a debut single debut at #1 with This Is The Night in 2003.

So sad about Fantasia =(

Page 2 of 22