Dear Fantasia Barrino: Sing a Song Please

 Dear Fantasia Barrino,

Doesn't she look pretty in this photo!

Please stop the Yi-Yi-Yi. Your shoe –kicking, earring slinging, screaming, hollering and strutting have caused me to indiscreetly cancel my membership from the unofficial Fantasia Barrino fan club. Due to your latest performances I am giving you the side-eye something serious. Honestly Fantasia I wish you would get back to the basics and actually SING A SONG!!!  What you are doing right now resembles a cock-fight more than singing. It is horrific and I would like for you to reconsider your performance style.

Basically, what I am trying to say is, stop the Yi-Yi-Yi and sing the song!

I remember watching the third season of American Idol in 2004 and being impressed with your singing style and strong vocals. Each voting night I would pick up the phone and cast my vote for you Fantasia. I remember telling everyone, “That girl can sang!”  I rooted for you from the moment I realized that you had a good voice and that there was a story that accompanied your journey. I believed you deserved this opportunity at success.  When they announced that you were the winner I was overjoyed. When you stood there, tears down your cheeks, singing “I Believe” a few tears of joy slipped from my eyes also. I was proud of you and I thought that this opportunity would propel you from the pains of your past and lead you into a life of success and would also allow you to provide a better life for your daughter. I was happy for you Fantasia.

…that was then

Now when I see you on stage I don’t say “There goes Fantasia, she is going to sing,” instead I say, “There goes Fantasia I bet she will act a fool!” And guess what, each and every time I am right on the money. You get on stage, act like a cot dang fool and when you are done I haven’t heard a word of the real song!

Recently you sang at UNCF’s  An Evening of Stars  as they honored the legendary Chaka Khan and presented her with the Award of Excellence. Your performance at The Evening of Stars was the last performance that I have seen and as the previous ones it too was complete and utter foolishness. When your name was announced I almost grimaced. I wished for the best, but expected the worst.

Here you are singing  “Tell Me Something Good” by Chaka Khan and Rufus.

When you came out on stage I immediately wondered if we would be seeing one of your “tantrum performances” or if you were actually going to give Chaka her just due. Two point one seconds into the performance you began the hoopin’ and hollerin.

 Fantasia you ruined my song! 

 Here you are again clowning…shoes tossed to the side, vocal chords being stretched to the max.

…and again struttin and shoutin!

What has prompted you to turn all of your performances into hot ghetto mess, I have no clue, but for those of us who enjoy hearing the words of songs, we don’t like this new routine of yours. It reminds me of those winos you see out on a hot summer day, who have had too much Colt 45 and now they are ready to put on a show. Just like they need to stop the madness, so should you Fantasia!

I know that Patti LaBelle is one of your idols but Patti can strut, dance, holler AND still sing the song. Patti still accomplishes what she comes out on the stage to do. You on the other hand Fantasia come on stage and immediately begin to toss accessories. You sing the first few words of the song and then all hell breaks loose. You begin to chant and yell and scream and we are left wondering what the hell is going on.

As a person who used to be fond of your music and still enjoys your vocals recorded for albums, I would like to say that you are running fans off by clowning so much on stage.  I know that once you get on stage, the spirit gets to moving and you get caught up in the moment, but every performance should not be turned into a spectacle. We know that you have potential, but shouldn’t you be out of your “raw talent” stage by now? How long will it take before your realize that just because you are “one of us” that does not mean that all we want to hear is screaming and shouting. Fantasia can you do us a favor and please sing a song…we just want you to sing a song…

Sincerely,

 Sick of the Yi-Yi-Yi

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p.s. Here is one of my favorite Fantasia Barrino performances. Fantasia sings “I Believe”

I also enjoyed the performance with your mother when the two of you sang “He’s Done Enough”

And even though this is one of your “tantrum performances” I also enjoyed your performance of Lady Marmalade in honor of Patti LaBelle at BET’s Evening of Stars.

 

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• Why Fantasia Barrino Boycotted The Grammys (huffingtonpost.com)