Fantasia Barrino Reflects on Her 2010 Overdose: A Battle to Silence the Noise
Fantasia Barrino bravely shares her experience of a life-altering overdose in 2010 Inspired by a nurse's words, she found the strength to continue on her journey, defying the odds and finding hope amidst the darkness
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As Fantasia Barrino prepares to return to the big screen, she’s looking back on the overdose that changed her life.
In Variety's "The Power of Women" issue on Tuesday, November 14, Barrino expressed her desire for the noise to cease. She also revealed that the financial responsibility of supporting her family had become overwhelming for her. The 39-year-old, who won season 3 of American Idol, was admitted to the hospital in August 2010 following an overdose of aspirin and sleep aids.
Upon seeing a stack of magazines featuring her face, Barrino was reminded by a nurse that she was resilient and a source of inspiration. The nurse firmly advised her not to return and to continue fighting. Determined, Barrino made a personal promise to never relapse, as she experienced a profound sense of purpose during her time at the hospital.
“I will personally address every young individual, emphasizing the importance of perseverance,” conveyed the Color Purple actress in her interview. “Regardless of the adversities they may face, I urge them not to surrender. I am well aware that the journey might become arduous and chaotic. However, I have come to realize that I possess the spirit of an eagle, capable of soaring above storms and challenges.”
Fantasia Barrino, who performed at the Rain Nightclub in 2010, expressed her current state of happiness, particularly in relation to her marriage with Kendall Taylor. The couple married in 2015 and have a 2-year-old daughter named Keziah. Additionally, Barrino is a mother to two sons, Zion (22) and Dallas (11), from previous relationships.
"I am ecstatic - in all capital letters - and it's something I never imagined," she candidly shared with Variety.
This marks not the initial instance of Barrino being candid about her overdose. Just two weeks following her hospitalization, Barrino appeared on Good Morning America to delve into the entirety of her experience.
"I was simply overwhelmed by everything, burdened by six years of carrying so much," the singer explained. "I always bounce back from adversity, but it reached a point where it became too heavy for me. All I wanted was to escape from the noise. There's so much that people fail to comprehend. They only see the glitz and glamour and assume our lives are perfect, but we're human and we experience hardships."
Content begins: After her victory in season 3 of American Idol in 2004, Fantasia Barrino catapulted to fame. Her debut album "Free Yourself" garnered her three Grammy nominations that same year. Notably, in 2010, she won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her chart-topping single "Bittersweet."
The singer known for "Lose to Win" also ventured into acting in 2006 with the adaptation of her autobiography, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, into a television film. Following that, Barrino played the character Celie Johnson in the Broadway musical The Color Purple between 2007 and 2008. She is now preparing to revisit her role as Celie in the upcoming film adaptation of the musical, scheduled to be released in theaters in December.
