The Evolution of Fantasia Barrino

She came to our attention vying for the grand prize on "American Idol" almost half-a-decade ago. She was the first girl from the 'hood that Simon Cowell felt attached to. Randy Johnson said "That was hot, baby," several times. And Paula Abdul thought she could supplant Whitney Houston, Lena Horne and Patti LaBelle from Day 1 (But then again Paula likes everybody).
But those days are long gone, and so is the image of Fantasia as some single-mother with a voice-but-makes-bad-choices role model that the media tried to pin onto her. Today, Fantasia is looking good. She's got her braces out. In a longterm relationship with rapper Young Dro (Hey, it's workin') and is about to take the music world by storm like she should have done when she debuted a few years ago.
Recent rumors about her being in financial trouble and "American Idol's" Simon Cowell having to bail her out are false, she says. But the one about her re-enrolling into high school is true, she's confirmed. She's basically getting her groove on.
Girl is looking good, and has come a long way from humble beginnings in North Carolina.