You may remember Fantasia Barrino as the winner of American Idol's third season in 2004.
You may remember Fantasia Barrino as the winner of American Idol's third season in 2004.
Tough Beginnings
Ever since then, however, her life has taken many tragic turns, including going bankrupt twice. Here's her story.
Ever since then, however, her life has taken many tragic turns, including going bankrupt twice. Here's her story.
Tough Beginnings
When Fantasia won American Idol, she was at the very top. With her bright smile and happy attitude, nobody imagined all the things she had gone through in the past.
When Fantasia won American Idol, she was at the very top. With her bright smile and happy attitude, nobody imagined all the things she had gone through in the past.
Dropping Out
Sadly, she went through several traumatic events during her teenage years, before she rose to fame. After being assaulted by a classmate, she dropped out of high school.
Sadly, she went through several traumatic events during her teenage years, before she rose to fame. After being assaulted by a classmate, she dropped out of high school.
Dropping Out
Not only did she drop out of high school, but she never fully learned how to read. She opened up about her struggles with illiteracy, but has since made peace with it.
Not only did she drop out of high school, but she never fully learned how to read. She opened up about her struggles with illiteracy, but has since made peace with it.
Single Motherhood
At the age of 16, her life changed forever once more: she became pregnant with her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino. Fantasia and her boyfriend had a lot of issues so she became a single mother.
At the age of 16, her life changed forever once more: she became pregnant with her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino. Fantasia and her boyfriend had a lot of issues so she became a single mother.
Single Motherhood
Fantasia was a single mother because she could not stand one more minute with her ex boyfriend who, according to her, was abusive. She and her daughter lived in a small apartment and barely had anything to eat for years.
Fantasia was a single mother because she could not stand one more minute with her ex boyfriend who, according to her, was abusive. She and her daughter lived in a small apartment and barely had anything to eat for years.
American Idol
She slowly recovered and got different singing gigs here and there. She sang in weddings and funerals and also worked at a day-care center. Then, her friends and family suggested she tried something else.
She slowly recovered and got different singing gigs here and there. She sang in weddings and funerals and also worked at a day-care center. Then, her friends and family suggested she tried something else.
American Idol
She had never thought about it before, but to her friends and family it was very clear: she should try her luck American Idol. The show was holding a mass audition in Atlanta, Georgia, and it would be her only chance to become a star.
She had never thought about it before, but to her friends and family it was very clear: she should try her luck American Idol. The show was holding a mass audition in Atlanta, Georgia, and it would be her only chance to become a star.
Almost Didn't Make It
She was only 19 years old and was extremely nervous, but she decided to take a chance and do it. However, while she was standing in line for the audition, she decided to leave.
She was only 19 years old and was extremely nervous, but she decided to take a chance and do it. However, while she was standing in line for the audition, she decided to leave.
Almost Didn't Make It
When you watch a show like American Idol, you just see people going in and out of the audition room, but the truth is that people stand in line for hours and hours and sometimes, they don't even make it inside.
When you watch a show like American Idol, you just see people going in and out of the audition room, but the truth is that people stand in line for hours and hours and sometimes, they don't even make it inside.
Saved By Her Voice
After waiting in line for hours, Fantasia got hungry and stepped out of the line to get some food. When she came back, she found that the doors were closed. There, she panicked.
After waiting in line for hours, Fantasia got hungry and stepped out of the line to get some food. When she came back, she found that the doors were closed. There, she panicked.
Saved By Her Voice
She could not believe that she missed her chance to become a superstar just because she went out to get food for a few minutes. Desperate, she started singing, hoping someone would open the doors for her.
She could not believe that she missed her chance to become a superstar just because she went out to get food for a few minutes. Desperate, she started singing, hoping someone would open the doors for her.
Becoming A Star
Unbelievably, the janitor of the building heard her sing and let her in. He helped her convince producers to let her audition and because of her amazing voice, they did.
Unbelievably, the janitor of the building heard her sing and let her in. He helped her convince producers to let her audition and because of her amazing voice, they did.
Becoming A Star
Fantasia got to the audition room and dazzled the judges with her amazing voice, even Simon Cowell was impressed by her vocals. She got a 'yes' from all of them, and her success started from that very moment.
Fantasia got to the audition room and dazzled the judges with her amazing voice, even Simon Cowell was impressed by her vocals. She got a 'yes' from all of them, and her success started from that very moment.
Climbing To The Top
She went on to win the competition and get a recording deal. Right after winning, she released her first single, I Believe, which became the top-selling single of 2004.
She went on to win the competition and get a recording deal. Right after winning, she released her first single, I Believe, which became the top-selling single of 2004.
Climbing To The Top
Less than a year after her big win, Fantasia released her debut album, Free Yourself, which was a huge success. Suddenly, you could hear her voice in every radio station.
Less than a year after her big win, Fantasia released her debut album, Free Yourself, which was a huge success. Suddenly, you could hear her voice in every radio station.
Life Is Not A Fairy Tale
Not only did she succeed in music, but she also tried her luck in acting. She had several television appearances and had her own biopic done about her life in 2006.
Not only did she succeed in music, but she also tried her luck in acting. She had several television appearances and had her own biopic done about her life in 2006.
Life Is Not A Fairy Tale
Even though her life seemed like a fairy tale, Fantasia was quick to remind people that it really wasn't. In 2006, she released her memoir, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, which quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.
Even though her life seemed like a fairy tale, Fantasia was quick to remind people that it really wasn't. In 2006, she released her memoir, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, which quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.
The Lawsuit
In it, she opened up about her difficult childhood and teenager years, being a single mother, and being functionally illiterate. One person featured in her book did not like it one bit, however.
In it, she opened up about her difficult childhood and teenager years, being a single mother, and being functionally illiterate. One person featured in her book did not like it one bit, however.
The Lawsuit
Fantasia's father did not like the way he was portrayed in her book, so he actually sued her daughter for a whopping $10 million. According to him, he sued her for creating sensational, exaggerated, and false stories about him.
Fantasia's father did not like the way he was portrayed in her book, so he actually sued her daughter for a whopping $10 million. According to him, he sued her for creating sensational, exaggerated, and false stories about him.
A Married Man
This was not the only lawsuit that Fantasia had to face. Just a few years later, she began dating Antwaun Cook, a man who seemed to have it all. Sadly, their relationship was the opposite of a fairy tale.
This was not the only lawsuit that Fantasia had to face. Just a few years later, she began dating Antwaun Cook, a man who seemed to have it all. Sadly, their relationship was the opposite of a fairy tale.
A Married Man
Fantasia was surprised to hear that Cook was still married to his wife. The woman, Paula Cook, took matters to court, and the news became a huge scandal.
Fantasia was surprised to hear that Cook was still married to his wife. The woman, Paula Cook, took matters to court, and the news became a huge scandal.
In A Dark Place
Not only was Fantasia sued by her father, but also by her boyfriend's wife, who she had no idea existed. From this point on, her life kept taking turns for the worse.
Not only was Fantasia sued by her father, but also by her boyfriend's wife, who she had no idea existed. From this point on, her life kept taking turns for the worse.
In A Dark Place
After all the lawsuits, Fantasia was completely exhausted. She had lost her will to live and sadly made an attempt on her life in 2010.
After all the lawsuits, Fantasia was completely exhausted. She had lost her will to live and sadly made an attempt on her life in 2010.
A Second Chance
Fantasia took a whole bottle of sleeping pills because she just wanted to end it all. But someone was luckily there to save her life and help her recover: her manager.
Fantasia took a whole bottle of sleeping pills because she just wanted to end it all. But someone was luckily there to save her life and help her recover: her manager.
A Second Chance
Fantasia got a second chance at life when her manager found her lying unconscious in her home. She was quickly hospitalized and made a full recovery. About her experience she said:
Fantasia got a second chance at life when her manager found her lying unconscious in her home. She was quickly hospitalized and made a full recovery. About her experience she said:
Her Second Child
"I wanted to go to sleep and just be at peace. I knew exactly what I was doing. You can't accidentally take a whole bottle of pills."
"I wanted to go to sleep and just be at peace. I knew exactly what I was doing. You can't accidentally take a whole bottle of pills."
Her Second Child
In 2011, Fantasia made headlines again after she gave birth to her second child, Dallas Xavier. While it was a very happy moment for her, people wondered who the father was.
In 2011, Fantasia made headlines again after she gave birth to her second child, Dallas Xavier. While it was a very happy moment for her, people wondered who the father was.
More Problems
Fantasia never disclosed his identity and raised the child alone. People speculated that maybe Cook was the father, but that was never confirmed. Either way, Fantasia was a single mother once more.
Fantasia never disclosed his identity and raised the child alone. People speculated that maybe Cook was the father, but that was never confirmed. Either way, Fantasia was a single mother once more.
More Problems
On top of all her personal problems, Fantasia also struggled financially. You might think that being a famous singer can pay all your bills and more, but it is not as simple as that.
On top of all her personal problems, Fantasia also struggled financially. You might think that being a famous singer can pay all your bills and more, but it is not as simple as that.
Being The Breadwinner
Not only did she not know how to manage her money, but she was also taken advantage of. She wasn't just supporting herself and her children, but also other people.
Not only did she not know how to manage her money, but she was also taken advantage of. She wasn't just supporting herself and her children, but also other people.
Being The Breadwinner
Fantasia actually had six unemployed adult members of her family living with her, plus her children. She felt like she had to support all of them because they were family and because she was successful.
Fantasia actually had six unemployed adult members of her family living with her, plus her children. She felt like she had to support all of them because they were family and because she was successful.
Struggling Again
This actually drained all her money. In 2008, she failed to pay back a loan to a bank and her house was foreclosed. This was a devastating time for her, but sadly, it wouldn't be the only time she would be completely broke.
This actually drained all her money. In 2008, she failed to pay back a loan to a bank and her house was foreclosed. This was a devastating time for her, but sadly, it wouldn't be the only time she would be completely broke.
Struggling Again
Over the years, Fantasia managed to recover financially. It was a very slow process, but she eventually made it. However, she kept making the same mistake that drove her to bankruptcy before.
Over the years, Fantasia managed to recover financially. It was a very slow process, but she eventually made it. However, she kept making the same mistake that drove her to bankruptcy before.
The Pizza Revelation
Because of all the lawsuits and because she was still supporting all her family members financially, Fantasia lost her home again in 2013. In fact, she didn't even have enough money to pay for a pizza.
Because of all the lawsuits and because she was still supporting all her family members financially, Fantasia lost her home again in 2013. In fact, she didn't even have enough money to pay for a pizza.
The Pizza Revelation
It might sound ridiculous, but Fantasia's wake-up call came in the form of pizza. She was reaching her breaking point when she decided to buy some takeout and then, it all became clear.
It might sound ridiculous, but Fantasia's wake-up call came in the form of pizza. She was reaching her breaking point when she decided to buy some takeout and then, it all became clear.
Cutting Them Off
Her card was declined and she could not even afford her meal. That's when she knew that she had to get back on her feet and stop being responsible for other people.
Her card was declined and she could not even afford her meal. That's when she knew that she had to get back on her feet and stop being responsible for other people.
Cutting Them Off
After her wake-up call, she finally decided to cut her family off. She was tired of being used for her money, and she had enough. She got the strength to do it thanks to a very good friends of hers.
After her wake-up call, she finally decided to cut her family off. She was tired of being used for her money, and she had enough. She got the strength to do it thanks to a very good friends of hers.
Fantasia Now
Tyler Perry actually helped her a lot. According to her, he was her emotional support while trying to rebuild her life. He gave her advice on how to handle her money and slowly, she recovered.
Tyler Perry actually helped her a lot. According to her, he was her emotional support while trying to rebuild her life. He gave her advice on how to handle her money and slowly, she recovered.
Fantasia Now
After all the hardships that she had to face, Fantasia is doing fine now. Her net worth is estimated at around $3 million, but she still takes care of her money. In an interview, she said:
After all the hardships that she had to face, Fantasia is doing fine now. Her net worth is estimated at around $3 million, but she still takes care of her money. In an interview, she said:
"I lost everything twice. So, I cook my own food. I don't need no chef. I'm from North Carolina; my grandma and my mama taught me how to cook. I drive my own car, do my own shopping, I'm just like you."
"I lost everything twice. So, I cook my own food. I don't need no chef. I'm from North Carolina; my grandma and my mama taught me how to cook. I drive my own car, do my own shopping, I'm just like you."