Fantasia Monique Barrino (born
June 30,
1984), or simply
Fantasia, is an American
R&B/
soul singer and
Broadway actress who rose to fame as the winner of the
third season of the television series
American Idol in 2004.
Her first album,
Free Yourself, was certified platinum and received four
Grammy nominations. Her second album,
Fantasia, was certified gold, received three Grammy nominations and featured the 8-week #1
Billboard Hot R&B hit "
When I See U."
Following a critically acclaimed run on
Broadway as Celie in the musical,
The Color Purple, Fantasia was cast to star in the movie version of the musical, which is slated to begin production in 2009.
