American Idol Winner and Platinum-Selling Artist Fantasia, VH1 and World of Wonder Team Up For New Docu-Series ‘Fantasia For Real’

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — VH1 will give viewers a close-up view into the complex, touching and surprisingly relatable life of recording artist, actress and American Idol winner Fantasia. The series follows Fantasia as she juggles her career and single-motherhood while devoting her energy into recording her highly anticipated third album.The 8 episode, 30 minute docu-series “Fantasia For Real” is slated to premiere January 11, 2010 at 10PM* on VH1.

Six years ago, Fantasia was a young single mother from High Point, North Carolina singing in her church choir and struggling to raise her daughter, Zion. On a whim, she tried out for the third season of”American Idol,” and seemingly overnight the world discovered Fantasia’s tremendous voice. Five years and 8 Grammy® Award nominations later, life couldn’t look more different for Fantasia. Her first album,Free Yourself, was a platinum-selling, chart-topping success,bringing her wealth, fame, and recognition as an accomplished artist.Fantasia has worked with many music industry legends, including Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and Missy Elliot. In 2007Fantasia was chosen to star as “Celie” in the acclaimed Broadway musical “The Color Purple.” Her book “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” made the New York Times bestseller list, and she also starred in a made-for-television movie based on her life.

As Fantasia’s fame has grown, her personal life has increasingly become more complicated. The sole breadwinner for her large family, Fantasia struggles to balance career, family, and the demanding life of a highly successful performing artist. Fantasia’s VH1 series delves into how she has dealt with the seismic aftershocks of fame, all while managing the daily demands of life on the road and writing and recording new music that will connect with her fans.

“Fantasia has engaged millions of fans not only through her music and her amazing talent but also by her incredible fairytale life story,” said Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming & Production,VH1. “Our audience helped Fantasia become an American Idol and now,with this series, they get a backstage pass into her real life as she confronts obstacles to realize her true potential as an artist, a mother, a daughter and a sister.”

Viewers can catch a sneak peek of the season’s first episode on VH1.com – several days before the on-air premiere. Subsequent episodes will be available on VH1.com the morning after they air. Additional video content from “Fantasia For Real” including extras from each episode will be available on VH1.com and on VH1 Mobile throughout the season.

The series is executive produced by Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, and Jeremy Simmons for World of Wonder. Executive producers for VH1 are Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

World of Wonder (WOW) was founded by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey in 1990.Since then the company has amassed a library of branded properties across all platforms, including such well known films as Party Monster, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Inside Deep Throat and television shows Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Man Shops Globe and the entertainment blog The WOW Report (www.worldofwonder.net).

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

*All times ET/PT

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