Fantasia Monique Barrino – Fantasia – was the winner of the television singing competition on Fox, American Idol, at the conclusion of its third season. Fantasia emerged on the stage of American Idol, coming from a tumultuous background, and having experienced personal tragedies like rape, attempted suicide, and teenage pregnancy before auditioning for Idol in Atlanta.

Fantasia’s voice is described as raspy, gritty, and soulful. Using her unique style, blending gospel-style vocal instrumentation and sultry R&B, Fantasia collaborated with American Idol alum Tamyra Gray to release “I Believe” as her first single, which went on to win signficiant achievements, foremostly, the award for the first artist to achieve the number one song on Billboard Hot 100 for their first song release.

Acts associated with Fantasia include Patti LaBelle (Fantasia is referred to as “Baby Patti LaBelle”), Aretha Franklin, and Missy Elliott. She’s won and received nods ranging from one Grammy Award, three Billboard Awards, three NAACP Image Awards and two ASCAP Awards.

In 2006, Fantasia played herself in a story about her own life, The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale, which became the second most viewed Lifetime Movie of all time. The next year, Fantasia left her legacy on Broadway in the musical production of The Color Purple from April 2007 to January 2008.

Fantasia is credited with being the Queen of Rock Soul.

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