Biography for
Fantasia Barrino

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Date of Birth

30 June 1984, High Point, North Carolina, USA

Birth Name

Fantasia Monique Barrino

Nickname

Bobo
Fantasia Fantastic
Tasia

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Trade Mark

Her soulful voice

Trivia

Daughter, Zion Quari Barrino, born on August 8, 2001

3rd Season American Idol Winner of 2004.

Her first single from her first album, Truth Is, released February 2005.

Her cousins are R&B singers K-Ci (Cedric Hailey) and JoJo (Joel Hailey) who formed the singing group Jodeci along with the DeGrate brothers in 1990.

Fantasia's Number One hit song, I Believe, was co-written by another American Idol contestant, Tamyra Gray from Season 1, who also contributed background vocals to I Believe.

On May 28, 2005 she made Billboard chart history when she became the first female artist to place three songs in the top five of the Adult R&B Chart and then the very next week she became the first artist to have two of the top three songs on that chart with  "Truth Is" at #2 and "Free Yourself" at #3.

Just two months after its release, her debut album, Free Yourself, sold over one million copies and went platinum.

When Fantasia's song "I Believe" topped Billboard Hot 100 on July 1, 2004, Fantasia Barrino became the first solo artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to debut at number one with their very first chart appearance.

Was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused by ex-boyfriend Brandel Shouse, who is also the father of her daughter Zion Quari Barrino.

Released autobiography and best selling book, Life Is Not A Fairy Tale, in 2005.

Dropped out of high school after a sexual assault that left her feeling embarrassed and harassed.

10 April 2007: Made her Broadway debut with the lead role of Celie in 'The Color Purple'.

Auditioned for the role of Effie White in the motion picture Dreamgirls (2006), but lost out to Jennifer Hudson.

Personal Quotes

"I like to go to the ocean and see the miracles that God has created. It reminds me of His power. He can do anything, like pulling me up from where I came, taking me through what I have been through, and bringing me to this point -- the point where I prayed to be my whole life. " - Fantasia, in her book, Life is Not a Fairy Tale

Where Are They Now

(November 2005) On tour with Kanye West & Keyshia Cole, ending in December 2005

(February 2006) Currently working on her sophomore LP, due out later this year.

(March 2007) Currently in New York preparing for the starring role of Celie in the NYC Broadway Musical "The Color Purple". She will join the cast on April 10.

(November 2007) Fantasia Barrino's highly successful engagement starring on NYC Broadway as Celie in the show "The Color Purple", has been extended from 6 months to 9 months until January 6, 2008.

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