Fantasia Barrino: Exclusive Interview

In just two and half years, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino has accomplished more than most artists achieve in a decade.

She's also gathered nominations for almost every award imaginable including The Grammy Awards  , NAACP Image Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

After her first album, "Free Yourself," Fantasia has just relesed her second, the self-titled "Fantasia." She's even written a book about her life titled "Life Is Not A Fairy Tale," which culminated in Debbie Allen directing a television movie based on the book for Lifetime.

Born in High Point, North Carolina (although she auditioned for "American Idol" in Atlanta, Fantasia Barrino tells us she's just getting started:

Tell me about the movie Debbie Allen directed based on your life.

I've let go of things from the past and I'm having a good time. I was able to let go of the past with the Lifetime movie and now I'm on a whole different level. I worked with some really great people on this album like Missy Elliott, Dre & Vidal, Midi Mafia , and Swizz Beatz  and I'm letting everyone know that I've moved on from where I was when I recorded my first album.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "When I See U." What inspired you to write it?

It's about someone you might have a crush on. You find yourself writing his name on a paper, twenty-five times...and then when you see him, you just can't say a word. My girls would tell me, 'you need to say something.' and I would never say a word!

One of the best songs is "I Feel Beautiful," written by Diane Warren and produced by Babyface.

When I sat down with Diane, my mother was really on my heart. I thought about all she's been through and just seeing her smile now feels so amazing. She and I have been through so many of the same things in life. When Diane asked me, I told her I was thinking about my Mom. She just started playing this song and the guitar and she started humming, 'I feel beautiful' and I said, 'that's it!' The lyrics on that song are very emotional for me and when I recorded it, I just broke down in the end. It's my song for my Mom.

After winning "American Idol," was it intimidating to start recording an album under Clive Davis so soon?

I was nervous and excited at the same time. I know that in some ways, I'm like the baby at the label because this is only my second record. But as an artist, you go out, you tour, you start to create your own thnig. You start to have a vision for what you want. Clive Davis really allowed me to have a lot of creative input in making this record. I wanted to take people back in terms of doing real songs, bringing something new to the table, and keeping it 'Fantastia,' making an album you can chill with, groove with. You know, that old school vibe -- yet fresh.

What was it like touring for the first time?

Sometimes I pinch myself when I look out there and see all kinds of people. Mothers, families, men, women, every race. It feels so good when they say, 'Fantasia, you're my girl. I voted for you!' It can be overwhelming, but I'm so grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to touch people with my music. It comes from a lot of pratyer and having a supportive mom, supportive friends and family around me.

You recently performed for Aretha Franklin at the 28th Annual UNCF  tribute in her honor. How was that?

" mean singing 'Rock Steady' and 'Baby I Love You' right there in front of her... Meeting her afterward, I was so nervous all I could do was cry! I couldn't say a word to her, I just cried!

Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?

I want to let the people who buy my music know that if I'm going to be any kind of role model or a person they look up to, then they have to ask the question I asked myself: 'After the pain, where am I gonna go?' You can't hold on to the pain forever so you have to lift your head up, say, 'that's my past, now what's next?'

So what's next for you?

For me, it's a brand new Fantasia: I'm here to tell everyone that dreams DO come true, you can't give up... and me, hey, I'm gonna ride this train till the wheels fall off!

- For more of Fantasia Barrino and her music, visit FantasiaBarrinoOfficial.com.

* For more gay Atlanta tips, tricks and insider secrets get the book ATLANTAboy: An Insider's Guide to Gay Atlanta on Amazon!

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Comments

[Shira Hickey]

I am very inspired by Fantasia and encouraged by how strong he is.in fact i am doing a 2 page report on her.

[Bob]

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[trisha bennett]

i always look up at you

[Elsie]

I love u so much that I was in class and I was trying to get out early for I can watch you on Oprah, unfortunately I couldn't leave the classroom. I love u a lot I am your nuber one fan.

[Michelle]

Fantasia you have a beautiful voice... and I love your music. You also have a old spirit,which makes it easy for us old heads to relate. keep up the good work! Now to whats really two thumbs up is your style,lady in a red dress, was a bad dress on Aretha' tribute. Shoes; "yes I love them too". I want that dress so bad i sent a e-mail to Aretha"s fan club,hoping for a answer on where to get one like that. Yes...the black dress on The Gospel Awards off the chain!!!! My husband's chose of the 2. THANKS AND LUV YOU

[DBERRY]

I have followed fantasia from the start on american Idol until now.Fantasia has not disappointed me not one bit.I think on the R&B circuit especially in My home town Atlanta she is not getting the reconition she really deserves.I say this because on the Atlanta radio stations they play a lot of the Atlanta artist and so many of them just doesnt have what it takes to really be a good vocalist such as Fantasia.Mature sohisticated women just don't get to hear good new R&B music like Fantasia put out,so we end up listen to the ole R&B radio stations.I believe alot of Atlanta artist pay these radio stations to play their music over and over and they just don't sing up to standard.If it takes money for Fantasia to get her music heard in the ATL.I wish she would pay because I could listen to her beautiful voice over and over and that way I don't have to listen to all those whinney voices from the Atlanta female artists.Please kiss up to the radio stations Fantasia!!!because I need to hear you more......I love you,I love you Girl!!!

[Joanne]

I love Fantasia soo much. Fantasia is such a talented and exciting entertainer. Also, I have always been a big big fan of Jodeci. I was not surprised when I heard Fantasia, KC and JoJo are related. Their style of singing are so simular. I would love to see them perform together soon. I wish Fantasia could have performed with Gerald Levert before his passing. They would have been very good together. I truly enjoyed the performance with Jamie Fox. Fantasia sings from her heart like Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan and Kelly Price. I enjoyed your acting in your movie. Please dont stop performing. Why have you not appeared on the Oprah Show yet? I have noticed other new artist have appeared on the Oprah Show. Is there a reason you have not been invited????. I wish you continued success Fantasia. You are a beautiful woman. Please keep your hair short, I love your hair!!!!!