R&B singer Fantasia Barrino made headlines this week for the release of a new album, rather than tabloid fodder.
Barrino’s third album, “Back to Me,” is the singer’s first effort since her 2006 self-titled album, which generated lackluster sales.
Earlier this month, a 911 call was made from Barrino’s North Carolina home. The call was placed by Brian Dickens, Barrino’s manager.
Police confirmed that the singer had attempted to end her own life, by overdosing on aspirin and sleep medications.
Barrino was hospitalized due to dehydration and exhaustion at the time of the incident. After a two-day hospital stint, she was released from the North Carolina hospital.
Apparently, the 26-year-old American Idol winner’s suicide attempt came as the result of media outlets’ frenzy over an alleged affair the singer had been having with Antwaun Cook, a married man Barrino met last year at a T-Mobile store where he worked.
The overdose came just days after Cook’s wife, Paula Cook, accused Barrino through court litigations of having an affair with her husband.
Sometime in June of this year, Mrs. Cook filed for a divorce from her husband. Nonetheless, Barrino and Mr. Cook had been seeing each other on and off for almost a year prior to that.
Barrino’s manager released a statement statiing that Mr. Cook told Barrino he and Mrs. Cook separated. As a result, Barrino fell in love with Mr. Cook and believed that he loved her. Barrino is heartbroken and very sorry for any pain she may have caused.
With a lawsuit, bad romance, rumored sex tape, upcoming album, and VH1 reality show “Fantasia For Real,” all on her plate, Dickens went on to explain being “totally overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention” is what caused the singer to become suicidal.
Having released an autobiographical novel, “Fantasia: Life is Not a Fairytale,” a few years back, Barrino openly attests to having had her share of trials.
Barrino was raped at the age of 14, became a teen mom and has had to struggle with illiteracy woes. The singer is no stranger to hardships.
It is Barrino’s ability to remain resilient that gives her hope. The singer, who has performed several times on BET’s annual Celebration of Gospel, credits God for her strength.
Recently, she released a statement saying, “I can’t thank my fans enough for their prayers and support during such a challenging time…I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this album and I pray that everyone enjoys it as much as I do.”
According to nydailynews.com, “Barrino’s new album…far out performs her first two works.”
Barrino is now back to business with several confirmed television apperances ad performances scheduled to promote “Back to Me” over the next few weeks.
Music critics and fans both are expecting Barrino to regain her once promising career and really be “back to Fantasia.”