Fantasia slays Jennifer Hudson at 'An Evening of Stars'

To whom did Patti LaBelle pass the mic while singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" during the finale at Saturday's  "An Evening of Stars" at the Kodak Theatre, the annual benefit for the United Negro College Fund, which honored the down-home diva this year? The stage was crowded with LaBelle's spiritual daughters, from Jennifer Hudson to Yolanda Adams, LeToya Luckett to Chrisette Michele, but who did Mama think could match her glorious high notes?

Who did the night's producers task with LaBelle's most  famous song, the definitive funk-rock jam "Lady Marmalade"? And who returned later in the long program (taped live for television, with all the gaffes and replays that process requires) to bring tears to LaBelle's eyes with a spirit-touched take on the Bunny Sigler-penned ballad "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)" -- earning standing ovations for both?

Fantasia Barrino, that's who.

When Fantasia throws down at a multi-artist extravaganza, she nearly always steals the show. She had some stiff competition Saturday. Hudson took the silver in the night's rafter-shaking contest, with a dramatic and earthy rendition of that "American Idol" fave "Over the Rainbow," but was stiff opening the show with "Stir It Up," and then refused the microphone as the night's stars reprised "Lady Marmalade" at evening's end.

Did the young movie star not know the words, beyond "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" Fantasia's probably got them tattooed on some hidden part of her body. But then, she'd already proved that if Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash (who also slayed, performing "Somebody Somewhere" from the great album "Nightbirds") need a fill-in for Patti on the upcoming LaBelle reunion tour, they need look no further than the woman introduced that evening as "our American Idol."

The declaration that Fantasia was so hotly embraced by this event's glittery audience -- a gathering of the African American elite -- was telling, especially when considering whether she might, in fact, become the next Patti LaBelle. LaBelle has had many crossover hits, even dueting with 1980s blue-eyed soul king Michael McDonald. But unlike her peers Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, she's remained more an icon of black America than a symbol of the 1960s counterculture or 1970s disco glamour. Her gospel-true performances are some of the most intense in pop, yet in some ways she remains a treasured semi-secret, a black icon who deserves to be acknowledged by all.

This could be Fantasia's future too. Since winning "Idol," she's moved more and more toward hip-hop-flavored R&B; the first single from her self-titled second album was called "Hood Boy" and featured Outkast's Big Boi. That release sold less than half of what her debut album did. Even accounting for the decline of the music industry, that's a serious drop. Her split earlier this summer from 19 management, the company that handles the biggest stars to emerge from "Idol," suggests that she's either lost interest in claiming the huge audience a star like Carrie Underwood (or, potentially, Hudson) demands, or that the pros advising her feel she can't maintain that kind of fame.

Yet this evening proved that Fantasia still has the power to conjure devotion and embody excellence. It's the larger public's loss if the crosssover pop machine turns away from her. Meanwhile, she's still going to be throwing down amazing performances, onstage and in the recording studio. And she'll still be getting blessings from matriarchs like LaBelle, who knows a voice for the ages when she hears it.

-- Ann Powers

Photo by Earl Gibson III

Comments

[billy parker]

Nothing has changed then!

[Zoey]

Fantasia has always slayed Jennifer! Fantasia is the baby Patti, she is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

[Riva]

Lets be honest, when has Fantasia not slayed Jennifer Hudson?
I watched American Idol, this is nothing new.

[matt]

What did Yolanda Adams sing??

[ej]

fantasia who?

jennifer hudson has an oscar. :-)

[ladyglen ChicagoStyle]

Does anyone have an actual video of Fantasia performance at this event?

[LaShun]

Fantasia owns the stage. The woman can just flat out perform.

[Dark Gable]

Marisa Tomei has an Oscar too. What's your point?

[Sophie]

"jennifer hudson has an oscar. :-)"

And even with that Oscar she still doesn't have stage presence or performance skills. Kinda sad. Don't you think?

[trev]

Got to love Fantasia she is the best, she is oozing stage presence and got the vocals to back it up.

[Teresa M]

That hair is always on point!! Fantasia does it everytime at the Evening of Stars so whomever performs that night along with her should already know that she's going to STEAL the show!! She can't help it! That's just her...go Tasia! Very bright future ahead!

[Louise]

American Idol did not eliminate Jennifer Hudson for her singing - America did! Her attitude was bad also, plus, Fantasia just straight out sung the girl. Passion counts and Jennifer has none, she so sure she sounds good so she doesn't use passion, she don't think she needs it, that oscar has gone to her head, like everything else. I'm glad Tasia stayed grounded, she doesn't look down on anyone, Jennifer looks down on everyone. Tasia...that a girl!!!!!!

[Jayla08]

WOW......I've met Jennifer Hudson in person twice, and this girl really is a vocal wonder, so don't let this article fool you! Her attitude is on point, and she could not be more humble (the girl still can't believe she's won an oscar, and it's been 2 yrs. for god's sake). Where are some of you coming up with this stupid "assumption" that she thinks she's so much better than everybody? I can honestly see that the majority of you who are saying these things, have never laid eyes on this young lady nor heard her sing live...because she will blow you away! Fantasia performs better, but Jennifer has the better voice by FAR (and i've heard both sing live)!

[TB]

I was at the Evening of the Stars performance. Fantasia tore the stage up. The crowd gave her a roaring standing ovation for both performances. She not only out performed Jennifer with her stage presence; she also sang from her heart with passion and conviction and vocally out performed Jennifer. The article stated that Jennifer came in second. Not true, Yolanda Adams did which was the only other standing ovation not including Patti. I think Jennifer is an amazing talent but she just didn't bring it that night. Fantasia was the buzz in the halls of the Kodak Theatre after the event ended thru the after party...she rocked it.

[Michelle]

The reporter was there and we were not so she obviously knows more about the performance. We'll have to wait until January (sooo far away).

In an interview Fantasia mentioned her father advised her to let her voice tell her story. She seems to take that to heart. I'm glad she was appreciated.

By the way Jennifer and Fantasia have a song together on her new album "I'm His Only Woman" is the title its on You tube.

[Michelle]

Finally someone who gets Fantasia. Everything written was true. However, I don't like the title of the article because in my opinion it perpetuates and supports that American Idol sense of competition and gives fans and haters license to continue to compare these two powerhouse singers who simply have a different style of performing. For the record, "American Idol" did not vote Jennifer off, the voting audience did and pretty early in the competition (number 7). So let's bury that.

As Fantasia says what's for her is for her and what is for Jennifer is for Jennifer. Why do they have to be compared. They both have had successes in their short careers so far. I am sure there is more to come for both. They are both working hard and deserve respect (for their craft). Fantasia has a beautiful voice and is a natural performer able to interpret and deliver a song in which you feel every emotion she is singing about. Jennifer has a big booming voice that is powerful and beautiful. But the emotion, in my opinion does not connect. Both ladies can sing their hind parts off, they are just different.

Congratulations to both woman. I hope God continues to bless them both.

[MrStyle]

Jennifer Hudson has the voice and Fantasia has the entertainment factor...on stage. Fantasia reminds me of Patti, limited control of her voice and jumping around the stage.

Jennifer Hudson is developing into a artist something like Aretha Franklin. Although her voice still isn't near as great as the great Queen of Soul. Jennifer has an Oscar and several films to come and Fantasia has a lifetime movie.

Jennifer Hudson is a superstar and Fantasia is an American Idol winner....They have a song together, I hear they are really good friends. Just so you know, Jennifer slays Fantasia :)

[Louise]

The only thing on pint with Jennifer is her head! She's not a nice person and america new it, everybody is not wrong, Jennifer is! I like her voice don't get me wrong, but she is no TASIA! She has no passion, no desire, no sincerity she just sings, and thats it/ I've taught choirs since I was 10 trust me here, she has a nice voice a very good voice but performance wise and passion,,,,,,the things that make songs work she just does not have. I hear she's getting married, maybe he was give her passion and she'll do better, but right now she's just a lady with a good voice.....a very good voice.;

[shirley]

Mr Style..PLEASE CUT IT OUT!!!

Yes Jennifer has an Oscar good for her, Yes Fantasia is the American Idol a Author and a Broadway Star with rave reviews and awards good for her. Still the truth is for what i have been reading on different sites Fantasia was the star of the Patti tribute and performed her behind off. If you want to say that Jennifer is the next Aretha so be it but Aretha and Patti have adopted Fantasia as there child. Hopefully one day this fan war will stop as Jennifer and Fantasia seem to be the best of friends.

[Dark Gable]

Jennifer Hudson is a "SUPERSTAR"??? On what planet??? Beyonce is a SUPERSTAR!! Alicia Keys is a SUPERSTAR!! Jennifer's entire career is based on 1 movie role. That's why I mentioned Marisa Tomei earlier; she also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and no one has heard from her since.

Since winning American Idol, Fantasia has gone on to Broadway (where she got rave reviews) and she's been nominated for at least 6 Grammys. She's paying her dues now for much greater success in the future (she's releasing a new CD this year and will star in the movie adaptation Broadway's "The Color Purple" in 2010.

Don't hate on Fantasia because you're upset that she shut Jennifer down at this Patti Labelle tribute. Also, Jennifer may have "several films to come", but if her acting performances are anything like her post-"Dreamgirls" performance in "Sex in the City", the films are going to stop coming her way really soon.!

P.S. Jennifer is no where near the artist Aretha was at the same age. Jennifer has no stage presence at all and that's why she had to bow down to Fantasia at this tribute. Aretha would have set the stage on fire at a tribute like this one (go back and watch the first "Divas Live" show). Fantasia is more like Aretha than Jennifer will ever be.

[Mary]

Jennifer can't even get a POP hit and carry an entire movie on her name alone how in the hell is she a superstar? Mr. Style I think you're confused. A "superstar" is someone with legions of fans and crosses genres and has a body of work, Jennifer hasn't even had her own tour. Get real!

[Kim]

When is Fantasia singing on the west coast again and where can I get tickets? That's my question!