Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor (born June 30, 1984), known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American singer and actress. She rose to prominence in 2004 for her performance of the Porgy and Bess standard “Summertime” during the third season of American Idol, and eventually became that season’s winner. Following her victory, Barrino became the second woman to have her first single debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, following Lauryn Hill, when her debut single “I Believe”, launched atop the chart. Her accolades include two Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy Award, along with nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. In 2024, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people.
Barrino’s debut album Free Yourself (2004), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album garnered three Grammy Award nominations, including Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for her recording of “Summertime”. She went on to release the hit single “When I See U”, from her second album Fantasia (2006), recorded the duet “Put You Up on Game” with Aretha Franklin in 2007, and released later albums Back to Me (2010) and Side Effects of You (2013), with both peaking at number-two on the Billboard 200. Her single “Bittersweet”, won her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2011.