Fantasia Skipped Grammys Over Franklin Tribute Snub

By Kelly Fisher Posted Feb 17th 2011 08:45AM

Talk about some hard feelings. 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino was nominated for a Grammy this year -- and won! -- but decided to catch the ceremony from home after being left out of the tribute to Aretha Franklin.

"They were honoring someone who was my idol, and there is no way I could have sat there and not got the happy feet and wanted to jump on the mic because she is my favorite," she told BET's '106 & Park.' "I felt like, you know, at the end of the day I should have been on that stage."

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams opened the awards show with a moving tribute to Franklin, who is recovering from an illness at home.

So what did Fantasia -- who won the golden statue for Best Female R&B Performance -- do instead of attending the show? She opted for a night in with her daughter.

"I kind of did my own little thing," she said. "I was kinda going through my own little thing. I cooked, I was in my own world."

Of course, she was overjoyed when she found out she'd won.

"Every year when I go, I feel like they always look over the good singers who are still around, so this has just given me motivation," said the singer. "I just started crying and thanking God."

It's been a tumultuous year for Fantasia. She reportedly attempted suicide over the summer after having an affair with a married man. But things are starting to look up. After numerous nominations, Fantasia can finally say she's a Grammy winner.

"I'm nominated 11 times, I finally got one," she said.

Watch Fantasia's interview with '106 & Park' below.

Comments

(47)

Thursday 17 February

By WILL

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She was home cooking alright , cooking up some crack

By Mike

Fantasia also threw a hissy fit when Jennifer Hudson got the part of Effie in "Dreamgirls!" Face it, Fantasia, you may have won "Idol" that year, but J. Hud will always be the better singer, the better actress and better looking.

Monday 21 February

By janet

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Beauty and talent are apparently in the eye/ear of the beholder/listener. I would much rather see and hear Fantasia than I would Jennifer Hudson. I am certain that The Queen of Soul knows Fantasia and would likely have approved of her participation in the tribute. Fantasia did not say that she should have been included because she thinks that she is the most talented and her talent should have earned her a spot. She said that she wanted to honor a favorite. Why are "you people" so mean?

By Dayna

I think she has a great voice but something about her has always screamed Drama Queen to me. She seems even more self involved than most people in the music/film industry. I remember not even being able to get through her Lifetime movie without cringing...her acting was so over the top and she had to be in every single scene....I just don't love her.

By art

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lol, what an ego. she should hook up with Justin and kenny.

By papi looie

DIRT BAG

By cadreams3

How F'ing selfish!!!! What an immature, spoiled brat!! If she was such a great fan of Aretha's she would want to be there to honor her. HELLO FANTASIA IT'S ABOUT ARETHA.....NOT YOU!!! The kids these days have no flipping clue about respect. Damn parents teach selfishness and that the world revolves around them.

By joe

Dear Fantasia, It's OK to throw a hissy fit, but for God's sake don't tell everyone about it! You could have just stayed home quietly without telling everyone how you SHOULD have been in the tribute. If you should have been in the tribute, you would have been. Throwing a fit and whining just makes you look stupid and desperate. Sorry.

By Mare

Oh gosh, can she be anymore selfish? The tribute is about Aretha Franklin, not Fantasia the has-been. I'm glad she wasn't asked to do it anyways, I cannot stand her.

By Joe

After the horrible act she did when she returned to Idol, anyone would be afraid to let her get on a live stage. Fantasia you are not even close to the talent of the ladies that did the tribute, consider yourself lucky that you were in a category where you don't really have to be able to perform in order to win

By Banina

What?? Are you kidding me Fantasia? You have been on the scene for about a blink of an eye and your celebrity status isn't quite up there with the rest - and YOU think you should have been in on the tribute! Yeah sure, and I'm expecting an invite to the royal wedding!

Banina - love it ! I am waiting for my invite, too! Should we go together? LOL!

By maryanne

oh please Fantasia - you are not that famous to stay home from the grammys. talk about ego
you need to get over your so called self, put the crack down = and raise your child.

By cejt5

who cares?????????? who is she anyways??

By GB

Aretha who? Are you people kidding me? She has been propped up for so long and she is even believing that stuff you all say about her. No talent and always a bully. I am quite sure that the woman should only be remembered as "recording" star; nothing else...if that!

GB - what an absolutely idiotic post. No talent? Propped up? She'll be remembered as a "recording star and nothing more"? You're kidding, right? If not, you're a moron.

By rtjttodd

UNGRATEFUL.

By Bug

Yeah Right! Another Diva who doesn't know she isn't a Diva. Takes a certain type to pull that off and it ain't her...she hasn't earned her stripes yet...is isn't indespensable yet.

Fantasia, get over yourself, we did a long time ago, got over you.

Not all of us. Some of us think that she is very talented. "You people" are so mean to her. Most of you cannot sing at all!!!

By John

Oh, Boo hoo, cry me a river. Rant, rant, rant! Grow up Fantasia many more long time friends of Aretha didn't get up on that stage either. You get invited or you don't. Grow up. How sad you are that you're this immature. BTW,.... Who are you?

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