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Fantasia 2004: the newest American Idol talks about gay fans and family, her new CD, and being a single mom
Advocate, The, Dec 21, 2004 by Q. Allan Brocka
Perhaps the most important election this year was held in May, when single mother Fantasia Barrino was chosen as this year's American Idol on the popular Fox show. American Idol judge Simon Cowell likened her voice to Donald Duck's, but Americans, and eventually even Simon, were won over by her distinctive singing and positive attitude. After an all-nighter in the recording studio, Fantasia--now 20 and working the single name--took a few moments to catch up with The Advocate and talk about her debut CD, Free Yourself (J/19/BMG).
Can you talk about working with Missy Elliott on your new album?
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I love Missy Elliott ... she is the best. She just reminds me of somebody back home, you know? Somebody that you hang out with every day and go chilling with. She'd crack jokes, crack on me, and I'd just be wowing out in the booth. I love her. She does it all--sings, raps, she does it all.
Tell us about your decision to be out about being a single mom.
I had a child to take care of. She needed things--clothes, you know. To be real with you, this ain't no fairy-tale life. I had to go out to get it. So I said I'm just going to stand up for all those young mothers out there. I have a song on my album that's titled "Baby Mama," about how we struggle from day to day so that that child will have.
What are your thoughts on gay marriage?
[Laughs] I don't really think about that often. My godmother is gay and she is married to a woman, and that's her business. That's her prerogative. When I come to Atlanta I hang with them and just chill out. But what they do is their business. See, I love her. I accept whatever she wants to do.
Do you have something that you want to say to your gay and lesbian fans?
Keep on dancing. I was in the club the other day with my family, and there were some gay guys in there dancing, and I wouldn't even get out on the floor. I was like, good God Almighty! I can't get with them. So y'all keep on dancing, and I love y'all. I'll see you guys.
Brocka is the writer-director of Eating Out, coming to theaters in March.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Liberation Publications, Inc.
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