Fantasia Barrino

My North Carolina African American person is Fantasia Barrino. Fantasia was born on June 30, 1984 in High Point North Carolina. Growing up, Fantasia was always singing whether it was at home or at church. The Barrino family would travel all over the south and even recorded a CD Miracles for a local North carolina label. Even though she never finished high school she was always working on her singing and would preform in different shows in North Carolina and throughout the south. Fantasia had a very tough time growing up and even was abused by her boyfriend. Fantasia became a single mother when she was 17 years old.



In 2004 Fantasia was selected to be on the American Idol show. America never heard such a strong gospel, rythm ad blues singer like Fantasia. Not only did the judges love fantasia but America did to. At the age of 19 Fantasia became America Idols finalist and winner. She later went on to star in Broadway showsand even a movie about her life. Fantasia Barrino released her own record which has sold millions of copies.

Aretha Franklin has always been an inspiration to fantasia. When an opportunity presented to Fantasia to play Aretha Franklin on the hit TV show American Dreams it was a dream come true. On March 25, 2005 Fantasia preformed at the NAACP Image Awards in honorof Illinois senator Barack Obama Before he was elected President of the Untied States. Fantasia also won an award for outstanding female artist. In May of 2005, Fantasia went on her first tour with her own band and soul singers.

Fantasia is looking forward to releasing a new album in the spring of 2009. Her new album will have many different sounds from her American Idol show and gospel singing. Fantasia has told many people about her strugles especially with her problems with school. September 2005 she published her memoirs which was written by another writer. Her book is called Life is Not a Fairy Tale. Fantasia's book was number 7 on the New York Times Bestseller list. The book she told how she cannot read well and could only read easy familiar words. Fantasia always tells children how important it is to stay in school and learn while pursuing their dreams. In August 2006 her book was made into a Lifetime Television film.

By: James Tine