Fantasia Barrino spoke about second chances five days before being hospitalized
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Five days before she was hospitalized for an overdose, ‘American Idol’ Fantasia Barrino was in Los Angeles recording songs for AOL Sessions.
Times reporter Gerrick D. Kennedy observed the recording session and interviewed the 26-year-old singer later that afternoon. In the interview, Barrino spoke about how she had thought her career was almost over, how she’s overcome her personal tribulations and how she planned to use the next season of her VH1 reality show, ‘Fantasia for Real’ to tell her fans more about her personal journey.
“I thought maybe people didn’t want to hear what I’ve had to say or hear my music,’ she said. ‘To have an album out now … I know how long we fought for it. This album I went through a lot of things. I’m happy that it took so long — because I feel like I can’t do anything without a testimony. Without it being real.”
‘Fantasia for Real’ is in production and is scheduled to premiere Sept. 19. Barrino’s third album, ‘Back to Me’ is scheduled to be released Aug. 24.
Although Barrino is still hospitalized, she is recovering well, sources close to her said Wednesday. Her manager, Brian Dickens, released a statement Tuesday stating that Barrino had overdosed on aspirin and a sleeping aid after she learned that a North Carolina woman was accusing her in divorce papers of breaking up her marriage. In the statement, Dickens said Barrino did have a relationship with the man but thought he was separated from his wife.
You can read the interview with Barrino in our sister blog, Pop & Hiss.
— Maria Elena Fernandez
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