Check out Fantasia stunning on the cover of Variety‘s latest issue.
The GRAMMY winner graces the publication as promotion for ‘The Color Purple’ amplifies ahead of the musical’s US theatrical debut on December 25.
In tandem with a Victoria Stevens lensed shoot, the American Idol winner opened up about the process of transforming into the lead character Celie again after initially playing the role on Broadway in 2008.
Beyond the film, the 39-year-old waxed candid about her traumas and how she’s managed to overcome them.
Head below for pics and quotes…
On How the New Iteration of ‘The Color Purple’ is Different:
“You get to see how [Celie] made it through some of this stuff.”
On Taking the Stage Punches Herself (Rather Than A Stunt Person):
“I could let go of every man that’s ever put his hands on me. I freed myself from that.”
On Belting The Color Purple’s Climatic Anthem, ‘I’m Here’:
“I remember saying, ‘God, just stay with me, so that I won’t cheat Celie. Give me the strength to belt this song.”
Reflecting on Winning American Idol Almost 20 Years Ago:
“Didn’t know nothing about nothing, other than I loved to sing. I didn’t know all the things that came with it, the pros and the cons.”
On How a Hospital Nurse Helped Her Overcome After Being Hospitalized for Attempting Suicide;
“[Bringing a magazine with me on it, she said] ‘You see that young lady She’s strong. She’s a blessing. Don’t you come back in here no more. You fight.’
I left that hospital and said, ‘I’ll never do that again, because I have purpose. I’m going to speak into every young person’s life and tell them, ‘Don’t you dare give up.’
I don’t care if it gets ugly again. I don’t care if there’s storms. I realized I have the spirit of an eagle. They fly over storms.”