F.R.E.E.Y.O.U.R.S.E.L.F

Fan-tasia.net [14 Jan 2006|03:16pm] WE have MOVED Please visit: Fan-Tasia.NET for up-to-date Fantasia news!

Fantasia's Truths [20 Oct 2005|01:06pm] Here's a collection of people who live in or near High Point, telling the truth about it. The same truth Fantasia told "I live right next foor to "High Peezzee" as the locals call it, and she has never told more truth than this shit. Sorry, but High Point is pretty much a shithole that keeps its downtown area looking good for them foreigners that come in for "market" every year. That median household income statistic only applies to those actually working in the furniture industry (or those actually WORKING)." And another: "I think that her comments have merit since I live just down the road, so to speak from High Point and her comments are based on her view of her home town. To be honest, there is a gross disparity between the haves and the have not in that town. I think that the author has been unduly hard on her especially considering that he has never even been to High Point and particularly because of the fact that he doesn't know how she grew up or the conditions that she experienced while doing so. I think we need to stop looking for reasons to put each other down. Her current contract may not be ideal, but it has afforded her the opportunity to enjoy a life that she most likely would have never been able to enjoy had she remained there in High Point.... Go Fantasia!!!!" S. T. Davis, Sr. Greensboro, NC And another: "I actually live about 5 minutes from High Point, and I have relatives (as well as friends) that either have lived or still live there now. High Point as a city is not poverty stricken, however; an African American middle class in High Point almost doesn't exist. You either have it, which means your mother/father is a surgeon, or you don't. The entire dialect of High Point for Black people is different, and shared by most that are financially challenged. I worked with a number or Black men and women for over a decade in my hometown which is only a few steps from High Point. We'll just suffice it to say that I knew from the minute they opened their mouths where they resided. I was so estatic when my nephews moved back to our hometown to finish school. Their accents were quickly changing from sounding like educated young Black men, to the average Black raised in High Point. I believe the most upset people about the comments made by Fantasia are the people that don't realize they reside in a city that is oppressive to African Americans. There are a number of Blacks that are born and raised in High Point, and would not leave it for the world. They don't know anything else. Instead of judging Fantasia for her thoughts and opinions of a place she is well authorized to speak on (she was raised there as well as a host of her other relatives), the individuals complaining should perhaps thank her for shedding light on what other, unbiased citizens in NC have known for quite sometime...High Point is not a positive place to build a life for the average Black family. Of all the "pissed off" people on those "Fantasiaslies" type websites, you'd be hard pressed to find one that would win a million dollars, have a chance to travel the world manifesting their God-given talent, and actually choose to stay in High Point, NC and make a life with their family. I embrace Fantasia for her courage to speak." And another: Yeah, I grew up in Winston-Salem and one of my best friends grew up in High Point. I don't think either side of this rather petty Fantasia vs. High Point argument is completely right, but Fantasia is closer to the mark. And another: That is just plain stupid. How much free time do you have on your hands where... of ALL the issues going on in the world... THIS is the issue that motivates you to action. Fukk a Katrina victim, I am going to fight the lies Fantasia told about my hometown... huh? How does that even make sense? And another: I am from High Point (Thank God I recently moved to the ATL though) and I agree with everything Fantasia said about the city. It's boring as hell and my friends and I used to call it Dry Point (that's a lil step up from Land of the Dead). I think all of the people complaining about Fantasia's statements have probably been in that city all of their lives and don't know what a real city is supposed to be like. Plus shouldn't people in Dry Point be worried that folks are walking around getting promoted to the next grade while being illiterate? Instead of coming down on Fantasia perhaps the school system should be looked at a little harshly. Although I got the education I deserved and went on to college and law school; I know many people who were in a similar situation as Fantasia in high school. And another: i am not a fantasia fan but i will say the girl is being honest to what is true to her. and since when do we care what 19 year olds have to say? those folks are just trying to have something to brag about when they drink their imported beer while sitting on their fine high point furniture. my question for them is this: why don't you go teach somebody how to read!?! And another: it's an autobiography! That's how she sees highpoint,and who can argue with that. People need to stop trippin! everything isn't for everybody. That's her reality. Let her have it. And another: It sounds to me like you were looking for the opportunity to capitalize off Fantasia's success (hmmm, quite strategic). Needless to say it is not about proving that Fantasia embellished facts but to gain a little bit of fame. Now let me say this, you say that she did not grow up in the projects, right? Have you check the average income for that particular neighborhood? I lived not too far from Five Points and it is not exactly the Suburbs or middle town America. It is a struggle to gain your self-esteem after years of abuse or did you miss those facts in the book? Just who do you think you are and what right do you have to judge others? Do you have a child that attends any of the schools in that district? As a matter of fact, while you were researching did you check these statistics on Montlieu Elementary: http://www.ncreportcard.org/src/schDetails.jsp?Page=2&pSchCode=469&pLEACode=410&pYear=2001-2002 Did you notice, NO RECOGNITION due to too many students unable to meet the general standards implemented by the state! Oh, by the way-let's discuss T Wingate Andrews: http://www.ncreportcard.org/src/schDetails.jsp?Page=2&pSchCode=319&pLEACode=410&pYear=2003-2004 Now don't get me wrong, she admitted that she could have done better but before you defend the system, know what you are dealing with. Tell me this, if you had dealt with the emotional scars of a rape, verbal abuse and numerous other mental scars could you say that your life would be any different. Guilford County has several schools on academic probation and they are all in LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. Fantasia's neighborhood was a LOW INCOME NIEGHOBORHOOD. Did you get pictures of the number of drug sales that go on right up the street at the gas station at Five Points? Did you run the statistics that show the amount of crime rampant in that neighborhood? Now, check this out--during her childhood she also lived in Charlotte. So which one is really home? Kyle, you and your wife need a life. By the way, if High Point is so picture perfect, can you explain why the High Point Police Department has taken the time to create this website? http://www.high-point.net/police/high_point_street_gangs.cfm Or should you check this link? http://www.high-point.net/police/violentcrimes.cfm Leave her alone. Another point, you can have a central air and heating unit installed but if your parents can't afford the bill what good does it do. Details from the book, her grandmother would help with utility bills---hmmm. I noticed you didn't comment on her positive memories of the church--that's in High Point too. You didn't comment on her committment to her family.... You can't change a persons perception about their community. By the way Mr. Fact guy, check and see what the statistics show for Guilford county according to the Employment Security Commission: http://www.ncesc.com/lmi/industry/industryMain.asp Now there are some facts!!!!! Oh, by the way Fantasias community was considered and still is considered a HIGH CRIME AREA!!! And another: You think Montleiu is a high crime area you should walk down Washington street{not}.Yes High Point does not offer a lot for young people to do other than cruise main street or go clubbing or perhaps to the mall or movies.But young people can still invest time in education to make a better way of life.Fantasia's dream was singing and she made it!!!!Alot of us in N.C. voted for her, i am happy for her.Maybe her book didn't "shine" on her home town,but that is her opionion.With factories closing people out of work is that not depressing yes it is to alot of people.Ask yourself if u were in her shoes would your book be any different? And another: To call High Point a slum is an understatement, and I think it is ridiculous that there would even be a website devoted to making disparaging remarks about young lady because she called something what it IS. I grew up in NC, went to college in NC, and thankfully escaped from NC. I have known friend upon friend who have relived the horrible High Point experience to me. Raleigh (where I am from) had enough of its downfalls, but considering the level of opportunities that are available in Raleigh, in comparison to High Point, Raleigh was practically as metropolitan as NYC! Having heard the rumors about High Point my whole life (i.e. "Circus Freak Central," "Land of the Dead"), driving through on occasion (doors locked and speeding before getting carjacked!), and knowing that "higher education" in High Point means actually getting a HIGH SCHOOL diploma, I am so happy that Fantasia broke out of that mold into which so many backward cities in NC cast their unsuspecting children. I hazard to guess that the people who founded this site are proud products of the Guilford County Public School System, living not too far from their entire extended families, with enough insecurity to take personally what every single person who has ever been to/heard of High Point thinks about their now-infamous city. Kyle and Jennifer, take a good hard look at your lives and especially where you live. You choose to stay stuck in your dirty city that is full of aggravated assaults, robberies, and, oh yes, furniture. Maybe you should try being a little more globally informed before you defend such a disgusting place that only the proudest of the "countrified" proclaims home. Please put your resources to good use and volunteer to help High Point! Work with city officials to get the prostitutes off the streets, the schools up to par, and the slums cleaned! And another: 1) First, to dispute a "lie" one must know the truth. There is nothing on your website that you can provide to visitors in order to counter her "opinions" and lead anyone to doubt her claims. The autobiography is one person's own telling of their life, published for people to read if they choose and to develop their own opinions. What you guys obviously failed to learn growing up is that we all can believe or not believe what another has said, but it all remains in a category of opinion. To leave and attempt to concretely prove that someone else's views are a lie, well, you must give facts. You idiots tell us to discredit Fantasia's perspective on her life by believing you, which is funny considering that you provide, WOW, your own perspective. 2) I too was born in NC and although I love my home state, their are things that I have disliked and voiced that are my opinion but that in reality are certainly not all so horrible. "In my own opinion" I think that High Point is somewhat closer to what Fantasia has stated, I have been there several times. Your best claim to fame is furniture, but having a school bus manufacturer and Krispy Kreme connection is true, but unlikelu to attract masses of tourists. Fantasia is already helping you! 3) Lastly, what you are stating on your website is concrete evidence she could use in a lawsuit against you for defamation of character. As a graduate with a degree in Journalism, this is very hard to prove, but not in this case. To win a case such as this, you must be able to provide "facts" that someone has hurt your career and be able to show "facts" as to how it did. FACT: website stating she lied FACT: she is a celebrity w/ career FACT: people will visit the site FACT: people will develop opinions Do you understand? If her next album for example sells poorly, well, she has the "factual" evidence to say that your website hurt her sales. Do you have the "factual" cash to give her is she wins? PS - Funny that you are trying to boost High Point's image, when your site is completely full of misspellings and grammatical errors. All of those of course being something that you would have learned in grammer school. Surely you didn't miss it right because you two didn't drop out! And another: I want to say this to you folks. To me it is like you never been to the bad side of High Point before. Look, i used to live in High Point, and I still have family there. I live about 20 mins away from HP now, so I gotta say my piece on this: some things people dont talk about in reference to High Point (these points come from HP Dept of Health): - HP has the highest per capita IV Drug user population in the southeast. - HP has the highest per capita HIV infection rate in North Carolina. Now, HP does have some old money, High Point University, and the Furniture Market. During Furniture Market times, HP is bumping with traffic and tourists. But anyother time, HP might as well be a ghost town. Only the townies are there, or the ultra rich kids from HPU, which is a $60,000 a year private college. There are some thriving rich white communities around Oak Hollow Lake and other areas on one side of High Point. But on the downtown part and the parts near the highway (where black folks live) are run down and old. Many would never see those sections, as High Point was basically built to be segregated, and the communities stay so. Have you driven down Russell Street, or parts of Centennial or Montileu Streets? It's like you are not accepting the poverty that is there! Now, I has to say this. Montlieu Street does have a Catholic School with guards, and junkies walking up and down the sidewalk. It's like the folks that made this website have never driven down in that area. This house is only a few blocks away from "Lil' 5 Points" which is the easiest place to cop drugs in Guilford County. You will see junkies, poor, and drug dealers in the area around "Lil' 5 Points". Just because she is near the school doesn't mean it is not ghetto! And, that school is not 4 blocks from the rehab centers that are in the area. The rehab centers are in that area because of the vast proliferation of drugs in that area! Montlieu is surrounded by other streets, and there is a great deal of drug activity on those streets, ask any HP Police officer where he makes the majority of his drug arrests. And another thing that is bothering me about it, she used the word ghetto in a context of it being hood, poor, etc. How are these people acting like a $550 a month house is the big time? Most folks living in a house in that price range are living in the poor side of town. I will tell you word one, $550 for that house in this area means that the house is run down. You dont get decent houses for that price, especially this size. Can you people get back to reality?? Montlieu Street in High Point is not Oak Hollow Mall or the Furniture Market! Go down and around that area, I'm sure you will open your eyes. Take this board down. You are trying to feel better about a place that has a next-to-nothing economy without the Furniture Market. Are you that worried about your property value? Is that why you won't accept the problems in High Point??

WE HAVE MOVED [25 Dec 2004|01:37pm] WE have MOVED Please visit: Fan-Tasia.NET for up-to-date Fantasia news!

[12 Dec 2004|10:35am] On Dec 14th, Fantasia will be debuting her new video, "Truth Is" on 106th&Park. Also on the 14th,she will be on BET's The CENTER.

Billboards and Billboards [08 Dec 2004|10:06pm] FANTASIA WINS TWO BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS ! For best-selling pop single and best-selling R&B single! Fantasia also has billboards in major cities We're working on images of them.

True American, Defiant Idol [08 Dec 2004|09:36am] Arts & Life On Pop She's our baby mama: Fantasia Barrino, American Idol and defiant single mom Aaron Wherry National Post 9 December 2004 National Post (c) 2004 National Post . All Rights Reserved. Eminem is trying very hard to be a big boy these days. He's looking the part -- donning a suit and assuming a thinker's pose for a recent cover story in Rolling Stone. He's talking the part with a newfound interest in politics and the peaceful resolution of personal conflict. And, most important to his new image of maturity and responsibility, he's acting the part of the doting single father. He is a baby papa. And proud. Conversely, but with similar reasoning, the winner of American Idol's third instalment is trying to establish herself as her own woman -- a true individual who will not yield to the pop-star machinery that created her. So the 20-year-old diva-in-training Fantasia Barrino speaks seemingly freely, records with innovators like Missy Elliott and, most importantly, loudly proclaims her single-motherhood of a two-year-old daughter. She does so most notably with a song from her debut album Free Yourself, entitled Baby Mama -- an anthem that declares unwed mothers "the backbone of the 'hood." She too is proud. But also defiant. And uncompromising. Where Eminem is now respectable, Fantasia is a rebel. There is, of course, a double standard at play here. For that reason alone Baby Mama could be considered the most punk rock (in concept, if not execution) pop single in recent memory. But it's even more subversive than that. Twelve years ago, Murphy Brown set the terms of the baby mama debate. Well, actually, it was Dan Quayle -- his family values crusade just happened to make a hero out of the television character's choice to raise her child without the support of a father. "It doesn't help matters when prime-time TV has Murphy Brown, a character who supposedly epitomizes today's intelligent, highly paid professional woman, mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone and calling it just another lifestyle choice," the former vice-president remarked, taking a break from his war on rap music to discuss the role of the traditional family. Candice Bergen's character preceded Janet Jackson's nipple as a Republican-manipulated point of cultural tension. And the debate would broaden to include questions of moral judgment, class and race. Years later, Quayle would declare victory in the matter -- claiming that his larger points about fatherly responsibility had been accepted by mainstream Americans, even if by then much of the United States was solidly behind a philandering president. Eminem would seem to prove Quayle's point, though, or at least embody his values. Here is pop culture's Dennis The Menace accepting adulthood through the responsibility of child rearing. But here then is Fantasia. Not simply a single mother -- but a young, black, single mother. One "elected" by the people as their pop star of choice. A role model for teens and tweens from states red and blue. The most mainstream of pop stars declaring baby mamahood a "badge of honour." It would seem the stuff of Republican-baiting -- Fantasia inviting a Murphy Brown-style backlash to reinforce her outlaw image; while Eminem has shamelessly courted mainstream favour. And yet, not quite. Though the pop starlet has come out swinging in interviews, reaction to Fantasia's explicit defiance has been muted, if at all voiced. The target seems obvious, but the shots have not been be fired. One imagines it's because Fantasia presents such a conundrum to those who would normally laud or decry her contribution to Western civilization. Simply put, Fantasia Barrino is about as faith-based a production as her President's operation in Iraq. She is, like her nation, on a mission from God. "It was prophesized at age five that she would go to the nation," her grandmother, a pastor, told a reporter shortly after Fantasia was crowned American Idol. "That time has come." Indeed. Her success is credited for bringing new worshippers to a church in her hometown that opened its doors for Idol parties. And, in a gesture that surely befuddles those who would question Baby Mama's anthemic intentions, she credits God as the father her daughter, Zion, lacked. "A lot of times when young women have kids, a lot of people seem to [be] down [on] them because you're not married and you're so young and had a child out of wedlock," she told the Associated Press in another interview. "If God forgave me, then you guys can forgive me, too." In the midst of a culture war that demands absolutes -- red or blue, patriotic or anti-American, nipple or no nipple -- Fantasia has conceded and witheld absolutely nothing. Conservatives who might demonize her find a young woman seeking forgiveness -- forgiveness for a sin they'd rather she not endorse, but forgiveness all the same. Liberals who might rally to her side as they did to Murphy Brown's, are equally tied -- drawn by her defiance, but unable to accept her terming baby mamahood a sin. No one, in this case, can have it both ways. No one except her.

Predicting Truth Is will be a Hit [08 Dec 2004|12:07am] Great News: Billboard, Dec 4, 2004 Copyright 2004 VNU Business Media DATA APPROVED R&B/HIP-HOP NEW RELEASES WITH TOP 10 CALLOUT POTENTIAL [H] FANTASIA Truth Is RMG

[07 Dec 2004|10:52pm] You can bid on a YouthAids shirt that Fantasia designed here The money goes to youthaids.org which is an extremely worthy cause plus you get a cool shirt with Fantasia's autograph! Click on the previews below to see Tasia in her shirt. :) Additionally, Fantasia will be doing a radio interview this Thursday (12.9.04) on Atlanta's V-103 (see side bar for thursday)

Fantasia's Truth Is = #13 on Launch [06 Dec 2004|03:03pm] Fantasia is Number 13 on Launch's Top 100 in only her first week on the chart. Let's get her higher :) Clicking HERE to watch her video!

[06 Dec 2004|02:08am] Fantasia performed at the Kennedy Center Gala tonight. Full article here Attendees including President Bush & Laura, Elton John, John Kerry, Aretha Franklin, Angel Bassett, Billy Joel, & Warren Beaty among others! Fantasia never ceases to amaze me. :) The awards will be aired on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS (2 hour length) Update: Aretha was looking for Fantasia! All weekend, politics and celebrity collided. Sen. Kennedy greeted veteran newsman Walter Cronkite - "Walter, great to see you! Let's go sailing!" - before Cronkite sat down with Bo Derek; she in turn let out a little squeal when she hugged Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on the Kennedy Center red carpet. Hollywood liberal-turned-Iraq war supporter Ron Silver sidled up to Nicholson before railing against liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. And Aretha Franklin was asking if Fantasia, the winner from American Idol, would be appearing at all during the weekend (she did, in tribute to Elton John, as did Kid Rock and Billy Joel). Apparently, Fantasia sang "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" (Which was written by Elton John for Ray Charles)

Fantasia & BMAs [05 Dec 2004|07:25pm] Fantasia will be attending the Billboard Music Awards and is scheduled to be a presenter. What if Fantasia got to present Stevie Wonder's awerd?? Fantasia is also up for Best Selling Single of the Year for "I Believe" and will surely be winning. :)

Truth Is Video on Launch [02 Dec 2004|08:17pm] Check out Fantasia's New Video for "Truth Is" Here Don't forget to rate it "Can't Get Enough" 5 Stars :)

Mirroring Fantasia's Passion [01 Dec 2004|08:06pm] Coast to Coast NEW YORK METRO David Weiss 1 December 2004 Mix 113 Copyright 2004 by Primedia Business Magazines & Media Inc. All rights reserved. Love it or hate it, American Idol is a popular phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers and turning its winners into instant stars. Producer Harold Lilly and engineer Kamel Abdo are two music biz types who definitely do not despise American Idol. An experienced production team, Lilly and Abdo understand first-hand the high-speed pressures and rewards in creating a winning song for Idol winners — Ruben Studdard in 2003, and Fantasia Barrino this year — and their legendary label head, J Records' Clive Davis. “New artists don't usually have fan bases,” points out Lilly as he relaxes in one of his favorite studios, Quad Recording's Studio A in New York City. “But if you're working with American Idol, you're working with a celebrity who hasn't sold one record yet — that's the difference. As a producer, writer, engineer — whatever the case — you want to get on this project because it's going to sell albums — guaranteed. They have a fan base already, and J Records doesn't really have to do promotions: It's been done — 20 million people a day are watching. You're going into the studio with someone who's guaranteed to go Platinum.” A busy freelance engineer constantly navigating the maze of New York City's hip hop and R&B scene, Abdo first linked up on a Studdard track with Lilly, a fast-emerging talent whose production/songwriting credits include Alicia Keys and Monica. The two quickly realized that together they could work with the particular blend of speed, quality and style needed to stand up to the massive expectations of an Idol winner. “We had chemistry,” Abdo says. “When Harold comes to New York City, if he has a choice, he calls me. Since then, we have the same flow, same people, same vibe. “I like working with Kamel because most engineers don't have an opinion,” Lilly adds. “They just do what you tell them to do. Kamel is like a second ear in the room, creatively.” The seeds for the three-day Quad record/mix session with Barrino were sown in Lilly's L.A. home base, where he successfully demo'd the track, a moving R&B song about young single mothers called “Baby Mama,” to Davis. “I met with Clive, he heard it and loved it,” says Lilly. “Fantasia's a single parent, and she told us she got a lot of flack for being a single parent. People told her that an American Idol shouldn't be a single mom, but in my community, there's a lot of single parents. Gay people have anthems, hustlers have their anthems, wives have their anthems, but this was an R&B version of a single mom anthem. She is one, and nobody else could have done this song. “With Fantasia, seeing that she's a true artist and a true singer,” Lilly continues, “I said, ‘Instead of Pro Tools, let's do 2-inch.’” With the instrumental tracks already completed from Lilly's L.A.-brewed demo, complete with ultra-soulful background vocals by his twin sister, Allison Lilly, Abdo could focus on printing Barrino's all-important lead vocal to tape. “For the vocal chain, I always use a Sony C800,” he states. “It's a good pop mic. It's bright and it captures a lot of singers with a pristine amount of detail — you can capture a well-sung R&B vocal on it. We try to use the same mic on all these people we've recorded.” From the C800, Barrino's vocals went through a Neve 1073 module and on to a Tube-Tech CL 1B compressor before hitting Quad's Studer A827 24-track. “On the Tube-Tech,” says Abdo, “I would just suggest a fast attack with a faster release, because I don't like to overcompress stuff on the way in. You try to control it without squashing it, and you get at most 5 dB in gain reduction. But most of the time, you're not compressing a lot. As the song progresses, the singer really belts and that's when you want to compress a little bit. Most of the time, however, you try not to overprocess.” According to Lilly, Barrino's voice is one thing you definitely don't want to over-process. “It's really passionate, it's raw, full of emotion,” he says. “The reason I wanted to go to analog was because you've got perfection on one extreme and passion on the other. A lot of people go for perfection sonically — coming in on the right spots, singing the right notes — but the closer you go there, the further you get from passion. “With analog, you're going on the passion end, and Fantasia's voice fit perfectly for that approach. What you hear is exactly what it is — like a mirror with the passion side of it. We set her up in a gobo booth. I didn't want her in an iso booth because I didn't want her to feel restricted. Sometimes, because you're in a booth and you've closed the door, the line of sight is gone. You can't see anybody and you're by yourself. I like being in an open space where I can see her. I think it's important to have eye contact when you're doing vocals.” Barrino's relative lack of experience in big studios was rendered a non-issue by her talent as she recorded the expressive lead for “Baby Mama” at Quad. “She's just a natural,” Abdo says. “She takes incredible direction. The energy was great. Harold has a knack for connecting with people on a different level. J Records said they never had a performance like this yet. That's Harold and the chemistry — he spends hours just shooting the shit. He spoke to her to see what she's going through at that time, and that makes it easier for her to sing it, close her eyes and really belt, because she's going through that. If you do that, you can get a good vocal in an hour. “It's a high-pressure situation, but it doesn't feel high pressure,” Abdo continues, “because that will kill the performance. Clive has to hear it at the end of the day, but you're not sweating. We like to keep it comfortable, and it's good for the singer to be with a group of like-minded people with good energy.” Once the vocal track is laid down, Abdo and Lilly send a rough mix to Davis and can expect almost immediate feedback. “We send it to Clive and he says ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ on the record,” Lilly explains. “If he wants changes, you book the artist to come back in and change it. I welcome constructive criticism because it really helps me as a producer and a writer. One thing with Clive is he loves his vocals up: He just likes them sitting out there, and he loves lyric sheets. He's a song guy, line for line looking at the words.” Lilly may be a relative newcomer to the scene, but this savvy producer/songwriter has nice advice for those who think that working with Davis and his American Idols would be a good thing. “Be original and don't be afraid to try new things,” he counsels. “Take direction and welcome criticism, but trust yourself and trust your instincts. That's the main part.”

A Mix of Pix [01 Dec 2004|07:29pm] Not Yet Seen Images from photo shoots and appearances

High Point to Harlem [25 Nov 2004|02:21am] "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino looks over her shoulder during a photo session in New York's Harlem Oct. 26, 2004. Barrino released her first album, "Free Yourself," in November. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)

Buy The CD November 23rd [21 Nov 2004|10:03pm] Buy it at Circuit City for $8.99 on November 23rd & 24th Best Buy for $9.99 K-mart for 9.98 Target for 13.98 Amazon.com for 13.49 Barnes & Noble

The Video [21 Nov 2004|06:10pm] Fantasia has finished her video for "Truth Is". There are more pictures here, at Fantasia's Launch.com page.

See Fantasia Practice for the AMA's [19 Nov 2004|02:32pm] FANTASIA will perform "I Believe" from her debut album FREE YOURSELF. WHERE: New York City's Macy's Herald Square WHEN: Televised on NBC from 9am -12 noon on Thanksgiving Day Macy's will be closing down Herald Square for rehearsals Monday and Tuesday evenings. Rehearsal for Fantasia is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23 at 7:45 pm for 10 minutes.

The Adoring Crowd of Superstars [19 Nov 2004|02:30pm] GOOGLING YOURSELF It's called ego-surfing when you look for yourself on the Internet, but what's it called when you gaze lovingly at yourself performing a song on television? Whatever it is called (ego-viewing? self-gawking?), there was tons of it going last Sunday night at Clive Davis' posh post-American Music Awards party at the Esquire House in Beverly Hills. Rod Stewart twisted himself into a knot to get a look at his tape-delayed performance, hanging over the back of a sofa to gaze on his self-image with obvious delight, while in another room, Pharrell just stared at his segment. Fantasia did her ego-viewing surrounded by an adoring crowd.

High Point. [07 Nov 2004|10:32pm] Fantasia Barrino, winner of last season's American Idol, waves to fans during an AIDS awarness event Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at A.J. Simeon Stadium in High Point, N.C. The High Point AIDS Coalition sponsored Sound Off: High Point Speaks Out About AIDS, an HIV awarness Day showcased a long list of local artists and was the backdrop for a homecoming celebration for American Idol star who performed at the event. TRIAD IDOL WORSHIP ; FANTASIA BARRINO RETURNS HOME FOR AN AIDS EDUCATION PROGRAM Alexis Gines Staff Writer 7 November 2004 Greensboro News & Record Copyright (c) 2004 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. HIGH POINT "Who y'all come to see today? ""Fantasia!" "Who?" "FANTASIA!" Nearly packed, A.J. Simeon Stadium screamed for "American Idol" winner and High Point native Fantasia Barrino on Saturday. But before she arrived, the High Point AIDS Coalition wanted to get a message out: Stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in High Point. The coalition hosted a free rally, Sound Off: High Point Speaks Out About AIDS. The event included live entertainment, health screenings, speakers who are living with HIV/AIDS, and Mayor Becky Smothers proclaiming AIDS Awareness Day in High Point. High Point resident Gabe Nahoum thought the same thing about the program as he thinks of Fantasia Barrino: "Fantastic." "I wish they had something like that when I was growing up," Nahoum said. Instead, said Nahoum, who brought his grandson to the event, when he was growing up people had to learn about diseases the hard way. On Saturday, plenty of organizations gathered at the stadium to make learning about HIV/AIDS easier. Groups such as The Wright Focus Group and NIA Community Action Center passed out information about HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Free health screenings for diabetes, sickle cell disease, blood pressure and other health conditions were available for visitors. Before the end of the event, Guilford County Department of Public Health registered about 30 people to receive various health screenings, such as for HIV/AIDS and syphilis. Senior office specialist Phebe Parker, who helped register people for screenings, said that while many people may be drawn to Barrino's visit and other entertainment, the event is also informative for visitors and will encourage more people to get tested . "It's making them more aware, and I really feel that the next few clinics I have I think they'll be big," Parker said. The crowd grew by the afternoon when Barrino arrived, waving out of the top of a limousine. Barrino's mother was cheering with fans as the Andrews High School marching band led the limo to the field. She hadn't seen her daughter in "a whole month, so I thank God to be able to lay my eyes on her," Diane Barrino said. The event was a great place for her daughter to have a homecoming, she added. "She said to me, 'Mom, when I come back home I don't want to charge my people anything."' After circling the field in a long limousine, Barrino performed a medley including "I Believe," and expressing her emotions through tunes and tears. "I want to thank you ... for supporting me, and making my dream come true," she sang. Barrino spent a lot of her time off the stage, running back and forth in front of the stands, as audience members stretched their arms out to her. It wasn't long before she wanted company - "We're bringing everybody on the field," Barrino said, and the event wrapped up as a close-up concert as her fans swarmed out of the bleachers.

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