Michelle ([info]adriamic) wrote in [info]blackfolk,
2005-09-30 20:40:00
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  • Music: the infectious hook from fantasia's "baby mama"

Fantasia, Still Beating the Odds (from vh1.com)

article

'Idol' Champ Fantasia Reveals She Can Hardly Read Or Write

Third-season 'American Idol' winner now working with a tutor.

by Corey Moss





Fantasia's highest hope for the fall has nothing to do with her opening slot on Kanye West's tour or her two nominations at the American Music Awards. She wants to read her 4-year-old daughter a book.

In her memoirs released Friday (September 30), "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," the third-season "American Idol" winner admits that she can hardly read or write.

In the book, which Fantasia dictated to a freelance writer, the singer reveals that her mother is also functionally illiterate and that Fantasia was so ashamed of her own struggle it kept her from ever applying for a job. On "Idol," she learned lyrics by listening to the songs, not reading the sheet music, and since winning, she's signed contracts she couldn't read.

While working with the music directors, "Somebody would say, 'You know, it's pronounced this way,' and I'd be like, 'Oh, I'm sorry, you know, I'm country, you know,' " Fantasia tells "20/20" in an interview airing Friday night.

Fantasia is now working with a tutor and is sharing her story to inspire others who struggle with reading and writing.

In "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," Fantasia also reveals she was raped as a freshman in high school and blamed herself because of the way she was dressed.

The book also details her poor childhood and how her faith in God was the only thing that kept her hopeful.

"Most people would rather flaunt their new clothes or their new bling-bling," she says in the book. "I always wonder why God is not worthy of praise and acknowledgment? Why are young people ashamed to show their faith? Take it from me — faith is really all you have."

To celebrate the book's release, Fantasia will be signing copies on Saturday at the Best Buy at 622 Broadway in New York.

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  • 52 comments

[info]syscoder

October 1 2005, 02:33:35 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks for sharing this. After I read your post I turned to ABC and got the chance to see Fantasia on 20/20. A lot of people may be surprised by how many people can neither read nor write in the United States.


CIA - The World Factbook
United States

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 97% (1999 est.)

[info]biasedreporter

October 1 2005, 02:45:34 UTC 6 years ago

I flipped through that 20/20 episode, but my mind was on something else, so I didn't catch it.

I'm amazed at how she learned her songs.

[info]pinkies_up

October 1 2005, 02:56:40 UTC 6 years ago

I caught 20/20 tonight... very sad. I can't imagine what it would feel like, as a mother, not to be able to read to your child. I tuned out for a second, but is Fantasia's mother illiterate as well? I thought I heard something that sounded as if they were hoping to "break the cycle of illiteracy" with her daughter.

[info]adriamic

October 1 2005, 03:13:44 UTC 6 years ago

yes

her mother is also "functionally illiterate"

[info]gloriousburdens

October 1 2005, 02:56:58 UTC 6 years ago

Not AT ALL a Fantasia fan, but I think it's good that she's bringing adult illiteracy to attention. I know a couple adults who read on maybe a second grade level and it breaks my heart. Especially because those people also have teenage children who can read on a maybe a fourth grade level. It's a terrible cycle.

[info]december_clouds

October 1 2005, 17:03:34 UTC 6 years ago

Also not at all a Fantasia fan but I'm glad she's doing this as well.

[info]buttaa

October 1 2005, 05:30:36 UTC 6 years ago

That is so sad. I wish people would care more about learning.

[info]ritahritahritah

October 1 2005, 22:03:13 UTC 6 years ago

"I wish people would care more about learning."
was this serious?

[info]buttaa

October 2 2005, 01:41:10 UTC 6 years ago

which part?

[info]ritahritahritah

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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[info]ritahritahritah

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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6 years ago

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[info]ritahritahritah

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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[info]thiscoinferno

6 years ago

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[info]thiscoinferno

October 2 2005, 05:57:22 UTC 6 years ago

LOL, I'm saying....

[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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[info]thiscoinferno

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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[info]thiscoinferno

6 years ago

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6 years ago

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[info]ritahritahritah

6 years ago

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[info]thiscoinferno

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

6 years ago

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[info]ritahritahritah

6 years ago

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[info]buttaa

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[info]buttaa

October 1 2005, 05:33:40 UTC 6 years ago

oh and I forgot...

LOL!


I'm sorry Fantasia.

[info]urbantrix

October 1 2005, 05:54:09 UTC 6 years ago

Re: oh and I forgot...

wicked. lol..I'm giggling too..

[info]buttaa

October 2 2005, 01:42:13 UTC 6 years ago

Re: oh and I forgot...

That's SO wrong.









but it's a tad bit funny. I can picture her being the kid in class who HATED when the teacher called her out to read out loud.

[info]ebonygoddess9

October 1 2005, 15:50:11 UTC 6 years ago

Wow. I love her honestly, and her reverence.

I can't stand "Baby Mama", but I shole loves me some Fantasia!

[info]parlance

October 1 2005, 16:06:28 UTC 6 years ago

In "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," Fantasia also reveals she was raped as a freshman in high school and blamed herself because of the way she was dressed.

*facepalm*

[info]animeg3282

October 1 2005, 17:50:15 UTC 6 years ago

Yea, we need to work hard to eradicate the messages that tell young girls that men's terrible behavior is their fault.

[info]parlance

October 1 2005, 19:36:37 UTC 6 years ago

I shouldn't be shocked that women actually believe those things, but I am. And saddened.

[info]prinzessin1983

October 2 2005, 19:54:44 UTC 6 years ago

OK! But seriously if you are walkinga round savannah 2 -3 am in the morning after the clubs closed wearing club clothing looking for your car because youd on't remember where you parked it and it was your first time in savannah and you get raped when you go to the police station what do you think they will say... "lets get those bastards" first thing they will say or insinuate is..."well are u surprised when you are dressed like that?"

[info]prinzessin1983

6 years ago

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[info]albino_dinosaur

October 1 2005, 22:38:53 UTC 6 years ago

she blamed herself at the time, or she still does now? that's a damn shame if she still thinks that way and puts that kind of message in the book.

[info]parlance

6 years ago

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[info]eleventyteen

October 1 2005, 23:03:37 UTC 6 years ago

After reading the ONTD post about this (why the fuck do I put myself through this shit?), I'm pretty certain it is.

I'm just glad that's certain people haven't showed up in this thread. *knocks on wood*

[info]stickykeys633

October 2 2005, 11:36:12 UTC 6 years ago

Girl, I had to take a break from ONTD because of that mess. I didn't even see the thread and I know exactly what you're talking about.

[info]prinzessin1983

October 2 2005, 19:50:41 UTC 6 years ago

hot avi

[info]prinzessin1983

October 2 2005, 19:52:08 UTC 6 years ago

wow i didnt know fantasia was illiterate. We really need to SOS. Seriously.

[info]keeni84

October 2 2005, 21:57:45 UTC 6 years ago

I'm not quite sure how this is possible...

Does anyone know of any links about adult illiteracy?

[info]sprorion

October 3 2005, 19:07:05 UTC 6 years ago

I wonder how screwed she got on her records deal she signed :(
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