
Fantasia Barrino is certainly a survivor and now she's faced with discussing her current trials and tribulations as she returns to the music world to promote her new album, 'Back To Me.'
The question remains: Is Fantasia returning to the limelight too soon?
Just two weeks ago, the 'American Idol' winner attempted suicide and overdosed on a bottle of aspirin -- allegedly shortly after reading a complaint filed by her rumored lover Antwuan Cook's wife, Paula Cook, which she says included information she had never seen.
In her first live sit-down with 'Good Morning America's' Robin Roberts, the 'Color Purple' musical's actress downplayed rumors that her man trouble was the reason for her highly publicized suicide attempt on Aug.10.
"I think everybody feels like I tried to harm myself over a man, but I've been in a lot of bad relationships," she told Roberts.
"So, I think that had something to do with it, it was so heavy it was brand new information and I was already going through so much, but it was six years of holding it all in the inside."
The eight-time Grammy Award nominee -- who is a devout Christian who extols the virtues of the Lord via her gospel music performances -- said the real reason she attempted suicide was that she's been overwhelmed by the negative media attention she's received over the years.
"I think I was just overloaded with everything, with carrying six years of so much. I always take a licking and keep on ticking. Everybody feels like I'm so strong, so tough, and it just became heavy for me to the point that I just wanted to be away from the noise," she confessed.
But is it all too much, too soon?

Internet users on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter have wondered -- aloud -- if this was all a ruse concocted by her haphazard handlers. Even industry pundits think so, too.
"Fantasia simply knows better," Natasha Eubanks, the esteemed founder and editor of the top-rated black celebrity gossip blog Young, Black & Fabulous (TheYBF.com) told Blackvoices.com today. "We have all loved her since she sang her perm out the night she won 'Idol.' And we all know she knows that a man is still married even when he tells you he is 'separated'. She got caught, felt embarrassed and hurt, and tried to regain the sympathy of her mainstream audience by pulling the old standby publicity stunt: a suicide attempt."
"Most people in her position would be on their therapist's couch days later, Eubanks added. "But Fanny? She's on the 'Good Morning America' stage, VH1, and having a very public 'secret' heart to heart with the very man she tried to kill herself over."
"From her suspiciously talkative manager to her convenient album release date to her uber quick bounce-back, I call publicity stunt," she concluded.
Angelo A. Ellerbee of Double XXposure Media Relations, who in his 20-year old plus career in publicity has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Grace Jones, Mary J. Blige, DMX, Nina Simone and Lionel Richie, respectively, said he could see how someone could think all of the recent drama may have been engineered to help record sales. Yet, he believes that the High Point, North Carolina native's story is not uncommon in the music business.
"As the manager for Ginuwine, who has gone through some of the same trials of depression as Fantasia, I had a chance to realize the realness of the story, the pressures. Embracing our young artists becomes very important to me," Ellerbee told Blackvoices.com.
"This industry puts a lot on them, and I've always believed that this industry has always been an illusion – not real," he added. "It's also my thought as Michael Jackson went through the trials and tribulations and pressures of this industry – if only the community would've embraced him with love and conversation, we could still have Michael here today."
Barrino noted that criticism she received while competing on 'Idol,' as well as the media attention surrounding her management switch-ups,home foreclosure, as well as "taking care of my whole family and no one taking care of me" as reasons that led her to take matters into her own hands.

"I always said when I seem to try and do the good things it doesn't blow up like when the drama blows up," she pointed out. "I got my high school diploma and I was really proud and it didn't go anywhere. The first piece of drama that they could find it just blew up so much and I just got so tired of taking so many licks."
She says she's most grateful for the a nurse named Melanie who, while she was hospitalized brought her a copy of Jamie Foster Brown's popular Sister 2 Sister magazine, and pointed to a picture of the J Records artist and said "you gotta get out of here and go back to work."
The 26 year-old single mother, who also performed her single 'Bittersweet' on Good Morning America, says that now she has a life coach who she says has "been teaching me some things." It's uncertain if Barrino has received any advice from industry figures in her trying time, but Ellerbee said that's exactly what she needs.
"Artist development was created to prepare the artist for success, and today there is no preparation – it's just instant fame with no instruction on how to cope and half-assed managers learning along with the artists," he said.
"I pray on those executives that have a heart to implement, independent or major, the importance of artist development and giving the artist the who, what, where, when and why of the overall winning results of being an artist in these times."
As previously reported, Fantasia will discuss her overdose on the hit VH1 series 'Behind the Music.'





Comments: (26)
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By: "DimePiece" on 8/24/2010 11:46PM
Fantashia's appearance, interview, a reality show, NEW ALBUM (Now in stores) is TOO MUCH and TOO SOON! I missed the VH1 and the interviews today? What is wrong with this woman? She almost killed herself 2 weeks ago? Does she really think being on TV all day today will help promote her CD? She is not well and needs to STAY OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT and lay LOW. Go seek some mental help away, so that she can heal and be their physically and mentally for her daughter! FANTASHIA, STOP THINKING ABOUT SELF!!!!!!! STOP IT!!!!!! Her being every where in the Media is not going to help her or the sales of that CD! She is making things worse. Didn't she say in the interview that she has had trouble with past relationships? What does that tell you? She will continue to keep on having unhealthy bad relationships and it will not stop, and there might not be a next time! I wish somebody can put some sense in this woman's head? What she did was an ESCAPE all right? She wasn't thinking of how it would have affected her daughter, family, friends, and fans if she would have died? Fantashia should have went to GOD. God would have helped and guided her through these hard times.
Remember Fantashia, God loves you unconditionally and he is always there for you. A man is not worth killing yourself for. Sista, I hope you get back on the right path and get well! Music shouldn't be your #1 priority right now!
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By: Orville on 8/25/2010 12:39AM
What she dont realize is comming out from such devastating situation so early, set her up for more scrutiny.Not only she is speaking about it, she is promoting an album. The question is how can you recover from such ordeal for such a short period of time.I would be worrying about my mental state. I am not sure what to think about it, but does seems like a well sort out plan.
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By: stare k on 8/25/2010 3:31AM
Fantasis .# 1 How would you feel if yoy was married, & your husband had a mistress ?# 2 Tell me how would you feel if the mistress told you he don't want you any more.And when you get the next husband you will know how to keep him. That why he is here with me , OUCH !!! # 3 That hhhuuurrttt real bad I mean real bad Ouch .I know a lot of peopel date married men's that don't make it right.A wife is due all respect.# 4 why did you let a man make a sex tape of you and him ? what do he need with it are you that stupid ?I been with my husband over 25 years ,I wouldn't let him make one of me / him are you crazy ? Was it that good to be exposed all over the world ,worth loosing what you has accomplish .Hell No penis or liking is that good . Compare your education with his wife , or his .A educated man want's a educated wife .I was told his wife is a educator .Now what do that say for his picking to measure up with his
And yo just went back and got your diploma .You better stop using your head for ahat rack .When you get married you have papers on each other,& no one has the right to spread their legs to you husband .Right is right & wrong is wrong . I don't care how you put it ,What you did was wrong . You need to ask her to for give you & if you are searious enough mabe she might drop the law suit against you.
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By: Ernestine on 8/25/2010 2:06PM
Your comments were interesting. Never once did you recognize the husband has responsibility for his fidelity. Fantasia is not married to his wife....he is. She can "spread her legs" all she wants....but he laid between them, knowing full well he has a wife, vows and family. Some people judging her so harshly....will be doing the same thing. I been around awhile. I know for sure...we live in a world filled with hypocrites. The wife is not suing her for her husband. Fantasia apologize? It won't help. We're talking $ now. The woman just wants money. Why doesn't she sue her husband? No money. He allowed and caused violation of their marriage. Yeah. I hope she doesn't win her suit. Fantasia grow up, girl. No sex tapes ever. If he wants memories? Let him use his brain for recall. Leave the broke ones alone.
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By: Li Wright on 8/25/2010 9:22AM
People forget she had contractual obligations....just like the contract with the Color Purple...she injured her voice and stayed in the show as long as she could....her manager probably told her, to get her butt out the hospital and start promoting that CD or she would lose her contract!
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By: joanne on 8/25/2010 9:30AM
I can't wait to see if Fanny cd will be #1 by next week.
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By: ladyj on 8/25/2010 12:41PM
I am now in my 60's I can relate to Fantasia. The girl grow up with low self esteem, that right there is a mind blower. Tell me how many of you at a young age (or now) with a person who lied to you? Did you belive them? Of course you did. This young lady has a lot going on in her life, and think that it is hard to change.
Did the wife think about having all this to come out before her album (Fantasia's) no so all the pressure was just too much.
Please think before you blame her. It takes two,by that time emotions on both might have been so strong.
So he without sin cast the first stone.
Fantasia there is a group that is willing to work with you, as we see that this a cry for help.
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By: juana on 8/25/2010 1:14PM
Can we say "Contract Obligationds?" RegardLESS if she wants to or not, she has obligations. So before you people start trying to knock her back down, THINK
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By: jpxp99 on 8/25/2010 1:41PM
after watching the above interview..ive revised my thoughts about my fanny:
rule 1- if u want to keep ur family away then hire michael jacksons bodygards or staff. they did a great job with keeping the other jacksons away!! funny but so true.
rule 2- ist let me say that i would b considered 'thuggish.' but bit*h you are fantasia one of the best singers of r&b. you dont date poor thugs, who are still married! young jeezy, slim thug...there are many thugs who have a lil something going 4 themselves. pick one or hell three...but let them have some change ok, fanny.
rule 3-take care of fantasia first and forever.
i love u and ur music and will always b a fan no matter what.
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By: Rene on 8/25/2010 8:15PM
jpxp99 >>>>>>> I agree totally with your comment!
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