Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino, known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series of American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequently, she released her debut album, Free Yourself, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA and garnered Barrino three...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionR&B Singer
Date of Birth30 June 1984
CityHigh Point, NC
CountryUnited States of America
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.
You're illiterate to just about everything. You don't want to misspell,
You're illiterate to just about everything. You don't want to misspell. So that, for me, kept me...in a box and I didn't, wouldn't come out.
I thought if I was going to go into the competition, I was going to go in the same way I was going to go out. I was just going to be me.
You've got to make it a good example for those kids regardless of how much you mess up.
I've never been in a competition before, and I said I'm going to go. I think - I just love to sing.
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.'
Sometimes you have to lose to win again.
I always say you've only got one life to live, and you're not promised a tomorrow. So, you might as well just have a good time with it.
It's always good when you can bring two artists together who are totally different.
When I realized I was having trouble reading, I was too embarrassed to ask for help. Some teachers believed in me, but I just wasn't focused on school - I was into the music and trying to please my dad.
I feel like a good mom. I'm a strong woman now... Don't look down on me. Pray for me because I'm trying.
I caught a lot of flak for being a young mama.
I seemed so different from other kids; I grew up in church and felt a connection with God, and a lot of kids my age really didn't understand that.