American Idol 2004 winner Fantasia Barrino says in her memoirs that she is illiterate and that she had to fake her way through some scripted portions of the American Idol show.
The 21-year-old R&B singer says she’s signed record deals and contracts that she didn’t read and couldn’t understand. But the hardest part, she said, is not being able to read to Zion, her 4-year-old daughter.
In her memoir, “Life is Not a Fairy Tale,” which she dictated to a freelance writer, Fantasia also said she was raped in the ninth grade by a classmate. She says the boy was disciplined, but she blamed herself for the attack.
I don’t even remember she was the winner of the American Idol. I can’t even recall hearing any of her songs on the radio. The only American Idol that you hear these days are Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, and the final two from this season. Wonder if Fantasia’s career suffer because of her illiteracy.
Whoever left the comment that they didnt know who Fantasia is must be illiterate too. If they never saw her name in the newspaper, magazines, the news, and many television shows across the nation. Obviously whoever wrote that has no life or lives under a rock. You need to get out more.
Hi Ms. Rodgers,
My apologies for offending you. For the record I did see Fantasia on American Idol.
You miss what I was say trying to say. I was trying to say out of all the American Idol winners you don’t really hear about Fantasia, well I don’t remember hearing her name alot.
How does not watching TV equal needing to get out much. I think you mean I need to stay home more often to watch more TV?
To all that may read this comment: I myself feel as if there is nothing wrong with Fantasia and that she is just one of the many famous people that is illiterate. At least she is one brave woman to speak the truth and seek help. i haven’t disliked her in the past and and i will not ever dislike her. No her career should not be in danger.
To Fantasia, don’t feel down keep your head up high cause your fans love you, especially me.
Hi Taniya,
Yes she is brave, but I hope she didn’t do what she did to sell this book that shes writing.
Thanks for your comment and for visiting.
Well, for the record, did anyone know that R. Kelly is illiterate?
Here is the comments R. Kelly made to VIBE magazine JO is referring to:
Fantasia even dough you cant read I am still your number fan. Listen to the this text in the I cant do all things through chridt who strenghts me. I have a friend who can’t hardly read we encourage her. i am encouraging u that u could do it . this is my motto what i want to leave with you strive for excellence.
I read Fantasia’s book life if not a Fairy Tale and I too think she is very brave and being “real” by being able to admit that. That just goes to show that illiteracy in America is prevalent and the school system is failing alot of children who do go to school everyday. Fantasia does admit however that she dropped out, but she said even before that she was not reading on an appropriate grade level. One reason why some people have not heard of Fantasia is because maybe her music is not something you would listen to, it’s playing on more urban, R&B style radio stations. I personally have never heard a song by Kelly, Clay or Kimberly.
Hi Dee,
I agree the majority of the school system in this country are inadequate when it comes to teaching children. The main reason is that the poorer school districts gets the shaft when it comes to educating the youth.
Well I listen to a whole range of music, I got the gangsta rap, r&b, hip hop, etc. You name the music genre and most likely I got cd’s of it.
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.
I also think that Fanny is brave. It takes alot of heart to tell the world that you are illiterate. I read her book and I think that she has had some rough times in life just like everyone else. I think Fanny is a beautiful person with a great gift from God and I am happy that she is sharing it with the world. So keep it up Fanny and don’t let anyone discourage you. You are a blessed women of GOD and he is the only one who will be doing the judging.
Fantasia was fantastic. I admire her honesty about being illiterate. I will admire her more if she does something about it. It is never too late to learn. She could invest in herself, have private tuition and get rid of the ‘illiterate’ tag!!!
AAHAHAHA WHAT A DUMB NIGGER
Fantasia is th best American Idol ever!
FANTASIA IS A NIGGER!! Typical of her “can’t read to my 4 year old daughter” bull! Go back to Africa nigger! I hate you!
everyone wants to watch americal idol because we love to hear beautiful voices. ,`~