Happy birthday to singing extraordinaire Fantasia Barrino who is celebrating her 40th year around the sun.
Born June 30 1984, the High Point, North Carolina powerhouse vocalist captured the hearts of audiences with her unforgettable run on the third season of American Idol in 2004.
Her introduction to singing began in the church, led by her grandmother and mother.
At just 14 years old, a young Fantasia dropped out of high school. At 17, she found out she was expecting a child. Two years later, struggling to make ends meet, she auditioned for American Idol and ended up winning it all.
Riding high on her new found fame, she released her debut album “Free Yourself.” She later wrote a New York Times bestselling memoir entitled “Live Is Not a Fairytale.”
“I think that God gifted her,” Barrino’s mother Diane said. “He put a call on her life to be able to bless others through the gift that he has given her.”
Carving her own lane
Fantasia’s impressive vocal ability allowed her to carve her own lane with hits such as, “When I See You” and “Truth Is.” She later expanded her talent to acting. In 2007, she landed the coveted role of Celie in Broadway’s The Color Purple (for which she won a Theater World Award). In the years following, she snagged a guest spot on The Simpsons and a two-season run of the VH1 reality series, Fantasia For Real.
Within the past decade, the awards and accolades have continued to pile up for the “Lose To Win” singer. She won a Grammy in 2012 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her hit single “Bittersweet.” The same song earned her a NAACP Image Award.
In 2023, Fantasia was nominated for a Golden Globe and won an NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of Celie Johnson in “The Color Purple.”
In this year, to date, she has received numerous nominations including Best Actress (BET Awards), Entertainer of the Year (NAACP), The Drama Movie Star of the Year (People’s Choice), and Best Leading Actress (BAFTA).
Adding to those honors, the Hollywood Walk of Fame announced that Fantasia is next up to getting her own star.
Even when she’s not on the stage, Fantasia is still keeping busy. We previously reported that the singer is stepping into the fashion lane with her own consignment shop, ‘Addie’s Place.’
Two years ago, she became an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
It’s clear the North Carolina native is constantly solidifying her status as a powerhouse talent in music and film.