Fantasia Barrino is an American singer who was born in North Carolina and rose to fame after winning the third season of American Idol. She endured hardships like being raped as a teenager and becoming a young mother, but found success with her debut single "I Believe" reaching number one. Fantasia went on to star in Broadway's The Color Purple and publish a memoir, though had to take breaks from performing due to developing a cyst on her vocal cords. Despite struggles, she has seen great commercial and critical success in her music career.