Creative Loafing Charlotte

Success is sometimes hard to measure. But in the world of entertainment, if Oprah Winfrey calls you, it’s safe to say that you’ve made it. This year, Charlotte-based singer (and American Idol winner) Fantasia Barrino was on the receiving end of a call from Winfrey, and it wasn’t long before Barrino found herself starring in the Broadway stage production of The Color Purple. Her portrayal of the oppressed Purple star Celie has garnered Fantasia a gaggle of great reviews, and she’s put a legion of asses in theater seats. On top of all that, she also released a well-received sophomore album and then took the songs out on tour with Jamie Foxx. Damn. We wish Oprah would call us.