Fantasia & Monica Get a Reality Check
R&B singers Fantasia Barrino and Monica are traveling down the reality television lane once again.
Former “American Idol” star Barrino will premiere a new unscripted series on VH1 in early 2010. The nine-time Grammy nominee’s show will focus on her life as a recording artist and 24-year-old single mother.
“Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to ‘American Idol,'” Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming at VH1, said in a statement announcing the show. “Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we’re so happy to have her.”
The singer also reprises her role as Celie in “The Color Purple” for a limited run starting in June. She’ll embark on a three-month stint with the show, kicking off at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on June 30.
While Fantasia’s reality home will be with VH1, Monica’s will be at BET. The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist’s unscripted series, titled “Monica: Standing Up,” will focus on her life in Atlanta and her attempt to rebound following disappointing sales of her last album.
Last year, Monica was featured on Peachtree TV’s reality programming, “The Single: Monica.” Her sixth album, Still Standing, is set for release later this year on J Records.
–Georgette Cline