Home > American Idol > Archives > 2007 > March > 29 > Entry
Fantasia going to Broadway
The “Idol” winner will star in “The Color Purple,” the New York Daily News reports:
Fantasia Barrino’s fans know the R&B diva as a one-named wonder, Fantasia.
But around the hit musical “The Color Purple,” the 22-year-old star could be called the $6 Million Woman.
That’s how much dough has poured into the box office of the hit Oprah Winfrey-produced musical since Feb. 22, when it was announced that the “American Idol” winner would join the show on April 10 in the starring role of Celie.
Fantasia is set to play the part for six months.
The whopping $6 million box-office bump didn’t come as a shock to producer Scott Sanders, who suggested the third-season “Idol” champ to Winfrey. The media queen loved the idea. “I wasn’t sure how immediate the response would be,” says Sanders. “But I was expecting that Fantasia was going to kick things up.”
“I think there is a groundswell of support from fans who know Fantasia’s personal history,” adds Sanders.
Like Celie, the character created by Alice Walker in her best-selling book, Fantasia has grappled with sexual abuse, illiteracy and being a single mom. She has a 5-year-old daughter.
The soulful singer from North Carolina had never seen a Broadway show before producers invited her to “The Color Purple.”
“I know the movie,” she says. “I own the movie. But I never thought I’d be Celie. The show brought me to tears. It’s such a blessing.”
Fantasia arrived this week from Chicago, where she has been working with an acting and vocal coach and the musical’s director, Gary Griffin.
“It’s been a crazy schedule,” she admits.
The hectic schedule might have caught up with her and her good health. Wednesday she was on vocal rest and bravely fighting a case of strep throat.
Some of that $6 million could go toward Ricolas and hot tea.
Permalink | |
