AMERICAN IDOL Winner Fantasia Barrino Returns: ‘God Had Something for Me’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Fantasia Barrino made her AMERICAN IDOL appearance in Season 3. Twenty years later, she returned to the stage that launched her career and credited God for her success.
“Barrino won the singing competition in Season 3 and has gone on to win a Grammy, star in Broadway, and be recognized for her work garnering nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards,” Deadline reported.
“All I can say is, I never gave up,” she told Ryan Seacrest of her journey since winning AMERICAN IDOL 20 years ago. “Even when doors closed in my face, I knew God had something for me.”
“It doesn’t feel like 20 years. Every time someone says that, my heart drops. I’m like, ‘Wait what?'” Barrino told ETOnline. “[But] there’s been good, there’s been bad. But I was so young, and so my thing is I want to let the young people [on this season] know… make sure you have a great team and enjoy it. Don’t take it too serious, you understand.”
Another thing she shared with the contestants? Her faith.
“Just keep God first. God gave you a gift, and it’s up to you how far you take it.” Barrino told Season 22 finalists, Jack Blocker, Abi Carter and Will Moseley.
“And I went through a lot of things,” she continued. “But here I stand, better than ever. I never changed for anybody. I still live in North Carolina, I’m a North Carolina girl and I remain humble. And I know that if it had not been for this show…This show opened so many doors.”
“So I’m saying to you, and all of you who are watching, this show opens doors and we’re grateful for it and thank you,” she concluded.
Barrino wasn’t the only one who shared her faith on the show. CeCe Winans and contestant Roman Collins performed “Goodness of God” during the finale.
As the duo were performing, the camera would often cut to Barrino who was singing along.
Many fans of AMERICAN IDOL were glad to see the show let the contestants share their faith.
“Lord, he done turned American idol into Sunday best!????,” one person commented.
“I love that American Idol embraced Roman’s faith and let him roll with it. So many shy away and this was refreshing to see,” another fan wrote.
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