Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino was 19 years old when she became the 2004 winner of the TV talent show American Idol. Singing soulful classics week after week for a panel of judges led by Simon Cowell, Fantasia survived the competition to be named the winner on 26 May 2004. Like previous winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, her reward was a heavy dose of media exposure and a record deal. After a summer tour across the United States, she released her debut album, Free Yourself, in November of 2004.

Extra credit: Other American Idol personalities include host Ryan Seacrest, 2002 runner-up Clay Aiken, rejected contestant William Hung, early quitter Mario Vazquez and 2005 winner Carrie Underwood... Fantasia was assisted on Free Yourself by hip-hop star Missy Elliott.