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 John

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Stupid is as stupid does, and this skank is as dumb as dirt. Fantasia needs to just crawl back under the rock she came from, her musics sucks and I'm sure she did the same for a living before the fools on Idol put her through.

By Vandella

Vote down Vote up Report this

You wish you had her pipes.

Thursday 12 August

By patriciaJackson

John may God put you in your place,maybe you don't know your mother,,,,,,,,

By Running Man

Preach it John, Finally we have a winner. She is Nasty, Dumb, Dirty & Skanky. Did anybody think this was gonna end any differently? I'm surprised the ho lasted this long.

Speak english you fool, they don't hate her because she's black they hate her because she got a big break and blew it. being ugly and black she can't be helped.

By elle

so is ur mother dummy

By Bud

LOL

By howiedetroit

You cheat, you get caught, you pay. Boo Hoo little Fantasia.
Your 15 minutes of fame are long over...time to get a real job.
Not food stamps, not welfare. A REAL JOB. Maybe you can be the
most popular burger flipper at BK !?!?! The sky's the limit, as long as you don't aim higher than cashier, sales person or fast food. The lord gives and when you are not worthy the lord takes away !!

By bes

ARE YOU GOD???

By happyhappy2001

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

it takes two to cheat. and this is a very sad story and i do not see a happy ending for any one involved in it. I think i would very disappointed in my husband. i exchanged wedding vows with him and no one else. why is the husband so silent and blameless. and why is she suing fantasia and not her husband as well. what is wrong here.

By New York

Husband & wifey probably planned the whole thing taping & all so they can sue her. Probably why she tried to kill herself???

By laughin@afool

she made her bed with a married man in it so boo hoo for her no pity here

By Sheri

Fantasia, talk to Oprah and get sound advice. Oprah is very wise. Good luck.

By Favour

Oprah is not God. Fantasia needs go for a retreat and do a thorough spiritual examination of her life. Take out some time and be alone with God and His blessed book. Ask God for forgiveness and retrace her steps. Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 51 and 121 will be helpful to her at this time.

By keepitreal

You got to be kidding. Oprah, wise.

By billy

lol she slept with a married man if this was a man you pople would be calling him everyname in the book double standard

By ed baggett

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

This gal is uuuugly ! Further more, she can't sing & she's stupid ! If she thinks she will dodge this bullet think again.
The 'wronged woman' can sue her for EVERYTHING she's got ! What a damn fool she is.....

By Mary

So is your heart i will pray for you

By N2

FANTASIA, ITS ALL ABOUT WHO YOU PUT AROUND YOU. YOU KNOW HOW TO SING BUT YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRY. GET TRUSTED, EXPERIENCED, QUALITY PROFESSIONALS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUSINESS. YOU CAN LOVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT THEY DONT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THE BUSINESS. ENTERTAINMENT LAW FIRM IS FIRST, TRUSTED AND CREDENTIALED AGENT IS NEXT, HIGH END ACCOUNTING FIRM IS THIRD. NOW YOUR ON THE RIGHT TRACK, DONT BLOW A ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE TO STARDOME.

By dee

Fantasia who?????

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