Season three 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino will premiere her new VH1 reality show 'Fantasia For Real' on January 11, 2010 at 10pm.
The show, which Fantasia told BV Buzz about first this past spring, will show the complex and emotional life of the High Point, North Carolina-bred singer, who is working towards getting her high school equivalency diploma.
"Everything that I wrote in the book and I did in my movie kept speaking about me not going back to school. I had been talking about it for so long and I now have a 7-year-old daughter and school is big with me," the singer told BV Buzz. "I go with my 15-year-old brother and I want to show people in my household and every other child that school is important. Fantasia is a 25-year-old young lady that's out doing her thing and can take the time out to go back and it's very important because you need that education. I'm gonna do it even if it takes two hours out of my day to sit down with a teacher. I know that I can't go to school because they'll probably have a riot in school, but I'm gonna get my diploma."
The eight-time Grammy nominee has released two albums since winning 'American Idol' – 2004's platinum-selling 'Free Yourself' and 2006's gold-certified 'Fantasia.'
In 2007, the mother of one took over the lead role of Celie in the Broadway musical 'Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple.'
Her New York Times bestselling tome 'Life is Not a Fairy Tale' was adapted into a made-for-TV film that garnered record-breaking numbers for Lifetime.
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For other stories on Fantasia, read 'Tube Talk: Fantasia's Reality Show Finds Home'
'Finally Free: Fantasia Opens Up About Faith, Family, Finances & 'The Color Purple'
& 'Fantasia's Follow-up: 'American Idol' Winner Will Return To 'The Color Purple'
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (24)
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By: Minnie on 12/01/2009 9:34PM
I hope this show is in good taste.
It's too bad that her singing career didn't take off. I do like that song called "If You Don't Want Me," but there was one cd that I BROUGHT that had hood-girl athems. The 1st time I played it was at work, and after 15-20 seconds had to turn it WAYYY down. Whoever advise her about that cd.... Anyway, I would love to see her in concert. I have no doubt that Tasia knows how to put on a show.
I hope that she finds the time to acquire her diploma.
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By: debra on 12/09/2009 9:31PM
her singing career didn't take off because she gets on stage and holler like a fool instead of singing.
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By: Reed on 12/02/2009 2:31PM
Her singing career didn't take off? Since when? No one has really seen her since she has been on Broadway but to say her singing career didn't take off is false.
Doesn't she have close to 10 Grammy nominations and 2+ million albums sold?
I love Jazmine Sullivan and Melanie Fiona and they are not doing half those numbers and probably never will
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By: Minnie on 12/08/2009 8:42PM
I beg to differ. Don't get me wrong, but someone who has the talent and stage presence as Fantasia should be out selling Beyonce. That's just my opinion. It is far from over for Tasia. I have much love for her!
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By: byron on 12/02/2009 3:06PM
she reminds me of a female flavor flav
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By: JEAN on 12/02/2009 3:38PM
Fantasia needs to go back to her roots - singing for the Lord. Then she might get better results.
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By: BRI on 12/03/2009 5:32PM
FANTASIA IS STILL ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING PERFORMERS OUT THERE. SHE SHARES HERSELF WITH THE AUDIENCE AND HAS REMAINED TRUE TO HER ROOTS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER IN PERFORM IN PERSON. SHE DOESN'T NEED TO KISS A GIRL, SIMULATE ORAL SEX, HAVE MEN ON CHAINS.....TO GAIN PUBLICITY. THE AI ALUM IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WATCH THE SHOW FAITHFULLY NOW. I LOVE HER
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By: rmtemsguy on 12/02/2009 6:14PM
To each their own tastes, but Fantasia is right up there with Ruben in my book, neither one of them can sing for crap. Why they won is a complete mystery to me. I used to work in High Point, NC, and I can promise you those people can't stand her after the way she treated them. I can honestly say that I have only met a few people personally that liked or voted for her.
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By: Fatboyslim on 12/02/2009 4:51PM
I'm not a Fantasia fan but wish her well in her endevors.
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By: Marcus on 12/02/2009 4:51PM
Fantasia is a no talent screamer. How she won a talent show is obvious....quota.
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