American Idol winner Fantasia has teamed up with VH1 for a new reality show entitled 'Fantasia For Real', which will air 8 episodes starting on January 11th.
Six years ago, Fantasia was a young single mother from High Point, North Carolina singing in her church choir and struggling to raise her daughter, Zion. On a whim, she tried out for the third season of “American Idol,” and seemingly overnight the world discovered Fantasia’s tremendous voice.
Five years and 8 Grammy® Award nominations later, life couldn’t look more different for Fantasia. Her first album, Free Yourself, was a platinum-selling, chart-topping success, bringing her wealth, fame, and recognition as an accomplished artist. Fantasia has worked with many music industry legends, including Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and Missy Elliot. In 2007 Fantasia was chosen to star as “Celie” in the acclaimed Broadway musical “The Color Purple.” Her book “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” made the New York Times bestseller list, and she also starred in a made-for-television movie based on her life.
As Fantasia’s fame has grown, her personal life has increasingly become more complicated. The sole breadwinner for her large family, Fantasia struggles to balance career, family, being single mother and the demanding life of a highly successful performing artist. Fantasia’s VH1 series delves into how she has dealt with the seismic aftershocks of fame, all while managing the daily demands of life on the road and writing and recording new music that will connect with her fans.
“Fantasia has engaged millions of fans not only through her music and her amazing talent but also by her incredible fairytale life story,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Production, VH1. “Our audience helped Fantasia become an American Idol and now, with this series, they get a backstage pass into her real life as she confronts obstacles to realize her true potential as an artist, a mother, a daughter and a sister.”
As an avid television observer, reality shows (especially those with black leads) tend to do more damage than they do good. Seriously, take a quick look 'The Bachelor' and 'For the Love of Ray J', two shows that essentially have the same concept, but lack a meeting of the eye with the level of quality and overall professionalism.
In fact, some would rightfully argue that shows like 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is' and the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' (along with countless others), have consistently displayed blacks in a negative light, which makes this outing lack any appeal.
That said, maybe this will evoke something different, but one can't help but point out that most blacks would prefer networks to greenlight a quality African American-centered comedy or drama series than another useless reality show.
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