Fantasia

Fantasia in 2008, Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Fantasia Monique Barrino

Place of Birth: High Point, North Carolina, U.S.

Date of Birth: June 30, 1984

Ethnicity: African-American

Fantasia, also known as Fantasia Barrino, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. She won the third season of the show American Idol, in 2004, where she was especially known for her rendition of the song “Summertime.” Her original songs include “I Believe,” “When I See U,” “Put You Up on Game,” “Bittersweet,” and “Lose to Win.” She was the second woman to have her first single debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her acting performances include the made-for-tv movie Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, in which she played herself, based on her book autobiography; and the musical film version of The Color Purple (2023), a role she also played on stage. See other American Idol winners here.

Fantasia’s parents, Diane and Joseph Barrino, are both African-American. Her uncles, The Barrino Brothers, were a 1970s soul music group. She is married to businessperson Kendall Taylor. She has three children, including a daughter with Kendall.

African-Americans with the surname Barrino have lived in North Carolina since at least the mid 1800s, and usually came from South Carolina before that. It appears that the surname was originally Barrineau. Speculation that the family has some degree of Hispanic, specifically Cuban, ancestry, is not accurate.

Fantasia’s paternal grandfather was Curtis Barrino (the son of Jesse/Jessie Barrino and Juanita McKeythan/McKether). Curtis was born in North Carolina. Juanita was the daughter of Curtis McKeythan and Faye Thomas.

Fantasia’s paternal grandmother was Madie Medley (the daughter of Robert Medley and Ellen Chambers). Madie was born in North Carolina.

Fantasia’s maternal grandfather was named Neil/Neal C. Washington. Neal was born in South Carolina.

Fantasia’s maternal grandmother was named Addie Lee Hicks. Addie was born in South Carolina, and was a pastor.

Sources: Genealogy of Fantasia Barrino – https://www.geni.com

Fantasia’s paternal grandfather, Curtis Barrino, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Fantasia’s paternal grandmother, Madie (Medley) Barrino – http://www.genealogybuff.com