‘American Idol’ Winner Fantasia Barrino Delivers Inspiring Message To Season 22 Finalists On 20th Anniversary Of Crowning Moment

Armando Tinoco

19 May 2024 at 9:49 pm·2-min read

Fantasia Barrino returned to the American Idol stage and delivered powerful and inspiring words to the Season 22 finalists on the 20th anniversary of her win.

Barrino won the singing competition in Season 3 and has gone on to win a Grammy, star in Broadway, and be recognized for her work garnering nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTA Awards.

More from Deadline

“All I can say is, I never gave up,” Barrino said when Ryan Seacrest asked to reflect on her journey since winning American Idol. “Even when doors closed in my face, I knew God had something for me.”

Barrino then turned to the three finalists, Jack Blocker, Abi Carter, and Will Moseley, to tell them, “Just keep God first. God gave you a gift, and it’s up to you how far you take it.”

“And I went through a lot of things,” she added. “But here I stand, better than ever. I never changed for anybody. I still live in North Carolina, I’m a North Carolina girl and I remain humble. And I know that if it had not been for this show… This show opened so many doors.”

She continued, “So I’m saying to you, and all of you who are watching, this show opens doors and we’re grateful for it and thank you.”

Seacrest pressed Barrino to spill the tea on new music, to which the star just said, “It’s coming.” Barrino noted that one thing she liked about American Idol “is it allowed me to see you can do any genre you want to do, so you don’t have to hold back.”

The singer and actress also mentioned that she went back to school for business and started her own production company, Rock Soul Productions.

Best of Deadline

Cosmo
Jade Thirlwall frees the nipple in a see-through chainmail top
Jade Thirlwall appears on the cover of beat magazine wearing a see-through chainmail top to free the nipple. See the image shared on social media, here.
People
Julianne Hough Opens Up About ‘Hate Comments’ on Her ‘Sizzling Sauna’ Instagram Reel: ‘Proud of My Body' (Exclusive)
Hough tells PEOPLE she laughed when the video of her stretching in the sauna caused a heated discussion in her Instagram comments
Cinema Online
Joyce Chen confirms she has become a mother
The TVB actress shares photos of her and her daughter, not revealing partner's identity
Hello!
King Charles and Queen Camilla's portrait with Prince William and Prince Edward sparks questions from royal fans
The King and Queen were pictured alongside the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Thistle Service in Edinburgh during Royal Week
Hello!
Amanda Holden almost bears all in glamorous shower video from lavish bathroom
BGT's Amanda Holden looked sensational when she almost bore all in a candid shower video. See video.
The Daily Beast
Conservatives Routed in Worst Election Result for 200 Years
LONDON—The Conservatives, the world’s winningest political party, were booted out of power in dramatic style on Thursday after 14 years of chaotic and divisive rule.The Labour Party had secured a landslide victory, ending an era of Conservative rule over Britain that stretches back to 2010; the year that the iPad and Instagram were launched and Lady Gaga wore that meat dress to the MTV music awards.In that time, the Conservatives have cycled through five leaders, each of them dragging the party
The Independent
David and Victoria Beckham celebrate 25th anniversary wearing their iconic purple wedding reception outfits
The Beckhams first met at a charity game at the Manchester United players’ lounge in 1997 before getting married in 1999
Cosmopolitan
Katy Perry Celebrates July 4th in Nothing But a Star-Shaped American Flag swimsuit
Katy Perry celebrated July 4th in nothing but an American Flag bikini—check out the pic.
People
Michelle and Barack Obama Celebrate Daughter Malia's Birthday with Sweet Throwback Photos: 'Still Willing to Hold Your Dad’s Hand'
"You deserve the world and more," Michelle wrote to her daughter on Instagram
People
Ryan Reynolds Shows He's a Super K-Pop Fan During “Deadpool & Wolverine” Press Tour with Hugh Jackman
The Marvel actor showed his love for Blackpink and Stray Kids during a press conference in Seoul
The Independent
Royal news live: Prince Harry award backlash continues as the Middletons appear at Wimbledon
Harry has been defended for his ‘incredible’ work with the Invictus Games
People
Salma Hayek Poses as Statue of Liberty in Fourth of July Throwback Magazine Shoot: ‘Latin Heat’
The Golden Globe-winning actress posted a photo of herself from a 1999 'George' magazine shoot
BANG Showbiz
Strike a pose! 10 stars you didn't know posed for Playboy
Many famous beauties from Kim Kardashian to Pamela Anderson have posed for the cover and pages of iconic magazine Playboy. These stunning photos have been like a rite of passage for hundreds of celebrities since Marilyn Monroe kicked off this trend as the first-ever Playboy cover star in 1953. Here are 10 of the most unexpected stars who appeared on the cover of the late Hugh Hefner's magazine... Many famous beauties from Kim Kardashian to Pamela Anderson have posed for the cover and pages of iconic magazine Playboy.
Hello!
Maria Sharapova's court-side Wimbledon look is seriously chic
Maria Sharapova, who reigned as the world No. 1 tennis player from 2005 to 2012 served up some seriously good style on day three of this year’s Wimbledon tournament. See photos
People
Paris Hilton Says She ‘Never Dreamed I Could Feel So Happy’ as She Cuddles with Son Phoenix, 1, in Sweet Video
The pop singer shares her two kids, son Phoenix and daughter London, with husband Carter Reum
People
Cindy Crawford Shares Patriotic Throwbacks for Fourth of July — Featuring a Sexy Star-Spangled Bikini!
The 58-year-old supermodel revisited some of her most famous campaigns in celebration of the holiday
CNN
Victoria and David Beckham recreate their wedding day photos 25 years later
The British power couple dug out the infamous matching purple ensembles from their big day.
The Independent
Netflix hit series Wednesday season 2 is a ‘cultural juggernaut’ that’s already breaking records
Hit series is returning – but with a difference
People
Kansas City Chiefs CEO’s Daughter Gracie Hunt Celebrates Fourth of July in Patriotic Bikini: ‘Board Meeting in Session‘
Gracie — the eldest child of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and Tavia Hunt — shared holiday photos of herself paddleboarding
BANG Showbiz
Hugh Jackman will 'never forget' Kevin Feige's kind gesture after disastrous Wolverine audition
'Deadpool and Wolverine' star Hugh Jackman has told how he will "never forget" Marvel boss Kevin Feige's act of kindness after his disastrous first audition to play the superhero.

Latest stories