Fantasia Barrino Reveals She's Illiterate

Fantasia Barrino Reveals She's Illiterate NEW YORK - "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino reveals in her memoirs that she is functionally illiterate and had to fake her way through some scripted portions the televised talent show, which she won in 2004. "You're illiterate to just about everything. You don't want to misspell," Fantasia told ABC's "20/20." "So that, for me, kept me in a box and I didn't, wouldn't come out." The 21-year-old R&B singer says she's signed record deals and contracts that she didn't read and couldn't understand. But the hardest part, she said, is not being able to read to Zion, her 4-year-old daughter. "That hurts really bad," she said, adding that she is now learning to read with tutors. In her memoir, "Life is Not a Fairy Tale," which she dictated to a freelance writer, Fantasia also said she was **** in the ninth grade by a classmate. She says the boy was disciplined, but she blamed herself for the attack. She dropped out of high school that year and became an **** mother at 17.

dang..that's somethin..I didn't know she couldn't read..but yeah, there alot of people who can't read in America, not just black folk. I remember I was listening to the radio on my way to work last year and they were talkin bout parents who can't read which greatly puts their kids at a disadvantage. If your own mom or dad can't read, and ur living in a rough place...u got the short end of the stick before you even start. Oh well, I'm glad she's getting help and I hope she's inspired others to read as well...tho, I don't think any book or online site will be read by the those illiterate people cuz uhhh, i doubt they're readin dis..so hopefully yall will spread the word..

I'm very pround of Fantasia. She is so talented and has a very gifted voice. You would of never known that she had this problem by looking at her on TV. She never let her problems bring her down, she pushed for her dreams, and the hope that she could provide for her daughter. Thats also good that she is using her money wisely and getting her problem fixed. I know God will continue to bless her!!

Awwwwwww das so sad to hear. I'm glad she is trying to change her life for the better now tho. That's good. :grin:

Drop out of school... Become the next American Idol!

the term american idol like the term american dream go way beyond the stereotypical and lilly white image fantasia is indeed both