In the dozen years since Fantasia Barrino claimed victory on “American Idol,” the singer has more than proved her mettle. She’s sold millions of records, released a New York Times bestselling memoir, won a Grammy, anchored a hit reality series and become a Broadway star.
And that success didn’t come easy.
Money woes, behind-the-scenes drama, label tension and a relationship entangled in sordid accusations of homewrecking and sex tapes excited tabloids and gossip blogs.
Then, amid a battle with depression and intense public scrutiny, she tried to take her own life by downing sleeping pills and aspirin in 2010.
Barrino survived, got her personal and professional life back on track and released a celebrated comeback record, 2013’s “Side Effects of You,” which saw her writing more of her own material and exploring a mix of genres she dubbed “rock soul.”
It’s that triumph over adversity that has long steered Barrino. But despite bouncing back after her life and career were on the brink, the R&B star found herself, again, at an impasse while recording her new album, “The Definition Of …”
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