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Fantasia & JHud (Jennifer Hudson)

This is the story of two talented women who both competed on American Idol season three, one titled the winner of American Idol and the other fan favorite gained fame.

By Gladys W. MuturiPublished 2 years ago 8 min read
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Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson

Two former America Idol contestants from season 3 from different states. Both Women (The Idol Winner and The Idol Fan Favorite) gained fame after Idol. Both have received recognition until tragedy and controversy struck their way but later gained a uprising comeback.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Monique Barrino was born on June 30, 1985 at High Point, North Carolina to her parents Diane and Joseph Barrino. Her uncles were in a 1960s band called The Barrino Brothers. At the age five, she would start to sing. She went to Andrews High School until she dropped out after she was raped by a classmate. At age 17, she found out she was pregnant by her boyfriends baby. Her pregnancy at 17 shocked her family because she got pregnant of wedlock. On August 8, 2001, she gave birth to her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981 at Chicago, Illinois. Growing up, Jennifer was the youngest of her siblings: Julia and Jason. Her mother Darnell was a single parent to take care of Jennifer and her siblings. Her grandmother Julia . At young age, she started singing at her grandmother's church and community theaters. Throughout high school, Hudson would perform at high school theaters until she graduated in 1999. She continues to perform at local concerts, communities and gay clubs. At age of twenty one, she landed a job as a singer at a Disney Cruise Line.

Their Auditions

After singing for a year on a Disney cruise ship, Hudson auditioned for the third season of FOX's American Idol in 2004. Twenty one year old Hudson sang "Share your Love with Me" by Arthea Franklin. Her vocals won the judges over. All three judges said "yes".

Barrino sang Fugees/Roberta Flack "Killing Me Softly". Her rapsy voice won the judges. All the three judges said "Yes". Hudson and Barrino are heading to Hollywood to start their Idol journey.

On Idol

During their time on American Idol, Jennifer and Fantasia had actually befriended with each other. Even though they were in the singing competition they never had beef or rivalery towards each other.

Jennifer's Elimination

Hudson was eliminated from Idol. Her elimination shocked fans, audience, and judges. Hudson, on the other hand, was calm and hugged Barrino.. But here's what really happened during voting. A tornado hit Illinois including Chicago (Jennifer's hometown) which caused power lines were down which explains why no one got a chance to vote. Jennifer took the elimination well and never bothered by the elimination. Moving On!!!

Fantasia's Victory

After Hudson's elimination, Fantasia has until she and another contestant Diana DeGarmo were the final two. Ryan gave the contestants the critiques from the judges......

And The Winner Is......

"FANTASIA!!!!!"

Fantasia won Idol becoming the youngest to win American Idol. After her win, she sang "I Believe" alongside runner up Diana DeGarmo. The song warmed the audience's ears and debut number one on the Billboard 100 charts making Barrino the first female artist in history to achieve this with a debut single.

It was the start of Fantasia Barrino's career.

Hudson Going for the Gold

After Idol, Hudson embark on a tour with her Idol cast mates. But Nothing was happening for her (no agents, no endorsements, no record deals). She later made the decision to go back to college and get a degree in real estate until an open audition for DreamGirls to portray the role as Effie White. It was at that moment would be. Hudson auditioned for the role as Effie until Director called Jennifer to let her know that she is cast in Dreamgirls. She starred alongside with Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Anika Noni Rose and Jamie Foxx. According to Jamie Foxx, he didn't know who she was but knew that she was on American Idol. Mentioned on Behind the Music.

The musical adaptation film was a hit. Hudson performance as Effie White was praised by critics and fans. It gave her an Emmy, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

Debut Albums

After Idol, Fantasia has been signed to and started working on her debut album. Fantasia's debut album Free Yourself was released on November 23, 2004. The album has garnered positive reviews and her first single "Truth Is" topped the Adult R&B Airplay chart for fourteen consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest stay at number one for a female artist on that chart. It also peaked at number two on US Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The album is certified platinum in the United States and has been nominated for ten awards, including three Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Album.In 2006, she released her second album, Fantasia, topped the Billboard R&B charts as well.

After the success of DreamGirls and winning an Oscar, Jennifer was signed to Arista Records to work on debut album. Hudson worked with Grammy Award Winner producer Ne-Yo who help write and produce her album including her first single "Spotlight", which he wrote and produced the song. Her album was released on September 27, 2008. "Spotlight" reached number one on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and in the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. Jennifer Hudson debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, with first-week sales of 217,000 copies. It was nominated for four Grammy Awards and won for Best R&B Album.

Jennifer Hudson winning a Grammy for Best R & B Album for her debut album (2009)

Life Is Not a Fairy Tale

After the release of her debut album, Barrino embarked and wrote her life story in a memoir. Her memoir Life Is Not a Fairy Tale was released in 2005. It became a New York Bestsellers and later adapted as a Lifetime television biopic film. This time,Fantasia as the star herself alongside with Viola Davis and as her parents, Jamia Simone Nash as her at a young age, . The film was directed by Debbie Allen, rec positive reviews and garnered 4 NAACP Image Awards nominations and a 2007 Teen Choice Award nomination.

I wonder what happen if Jennifer Hudson does her own biopic.

Hudson Family Tragedy

Just when Jennifer was starting to rise above from the fame she heads to the downfall when she hears the most devastating that will change her life forever.

On October 24, 2008, A 911 call received at the Hudson family home from Jennifer's sister Julia that she found her mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason murdered in the home she shared with her family and her seven year old son (Jennifer's nephew) Julian missing. Hudson found out the devastating news from while she was in Florida. Jennifer left Florida and went back to her hometown Chicago. Chicago Police went on the search to find Julian. Julia pleads with the Chicago press for her son's safe return. Jennifer offered for a $100,000 reward for Julian's safe return. Unfortunately, three days later, Julian's body was found dead in the back seat of an SUV parked on the West Side. Julia's estranged husband William Balfour was arrested and charged with three counts of murder. It was alleged that he and were arguing over car payments or Balfour was jealous of Hudson's success. I don't know. Who knows!!!!! After the murders of family, media and news have reached out the Oscar winner but hasn't reached out. The worst part she ran movie offer around the time she was dealing with loss of her family. Hudson stayed away from the public to deal with her grief and asked for privacy. Years after, Hudson was on Oprah's Next Chapter and tells Oprah she forgives her families murderer. Jennifer and her sister Julia created an organization Julian D. King Gift Foundation in honor of Julian to provide Christmas gifts to children and Back to School for kids in Illnois. The Hudson family estate created The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims, in honor of Darnell, Jason, and Julian.

Relationships

Fantasia was in relationship with Brandel Shouse. After giving birth of their daughter Zion in 2001, their relationship went sour. Barrino and Shouse have argued constantly and things got physical between the two. The two broken up for good. After Idol, Fantasia dated NFL Michael Clayton. After they broke up, Fantasia met Antwaun Cook, a salesperson at a T Moblie. The two sparked a relationship after photos of them were seen at the beach. However their relationship received controversy because he is married with children. Barrino was head over in heels in love with Cook she had his name tatted on her right shoulder. She also found out she was pregnant with his child.

In 2010, Antwaun Cook’s wife Paula threatened to file a lawsuit against Barrino. In August 2010, Barrino attempted suicide in her home she was later taken to the hospital it was later revealed that it had nothing to do with Cook but she was dealing with criticism, financial issues and health problems. Barrino gives birth to their son on December 13, 2011. The couple would split up after their son was born. After their split, Cook reunited with his wife. After Hudson, she started dating wrestler and reality star David Otunga. The two were . After seven months of dating, Otunga proposed marriage on Hudson's 27th birthday in 2008. Hudson gave birth to their son David Daniel Otunga Jr on August 10, 2009. Throughout their relationship, they had secretly seperated but remained engaged and they haven't talked much about their wedding plans. Otunga and Hudson split up in 2015 after years of their engagement.

What Now?

Both of these women have been doing extremely successful since Idol. They may have ups and downs but continue to strive their careers. Fantasia released her seventh album Sketchbook, which haven't made much success than her previous albums. Fantasia is now married to businessman Kendall Taylor and she gave birth to their daughter in 2021. As for Jennifer has been booked and she hasn't stopped. Hudson has been films and TV shows like Hairspray Live! , Black Nativity, Empire, and Cats. She already recieved the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. On her 40th birthday, Madame Tussands made a wax figure of Jennifer. Hudson now is portraying the role as Aretha Franklin (which was pretty much what Aretha wanted before she passed away in 2018)in the biopic film Respect. The film has garnered positive and favorable reviews, praising Jennifer as the Queen of Soul. Maybe this film will give her another Oscar nod. Who knows!!!!!

Hopefully, in the near new year, Jennifer and Fantasia will have a Verzuz Battle.

Source

YouTube

http://straightfromthea.com/2010/08/25/video-fantasia-behind-the-music-full-episode/

https://screenrant.com/american-idol-most-shocking-eliminations-contestants-seasons-list/#:~:text=The%20first%20truly%20shocking%20elimination,to%20win%20the%20whole%20competition.

https://ew.com/movies/2017/10/09/jennifer-hudson-dreamgirls-audition/

https://bouncemojo.com/fantasia-net-worth/

https://www.biography.com/musician/jennifer-hudson

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-jennifer-hudson-family-murders

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About the Creator

Gladys W. Muturi

Hello, My name is Gladys W. Muturi. I am an Actress, Writer, Filmmaker, Producer, and Mother of 1.

Instagram: @gladys_muturi95

Twitter: @gladys_muturi

Facebook: facebook.com/gladystheactress

YouTube: @gladys_muturi

patreon.com/gwmuturi

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