Fantasia Barrino On Her Golden Globe Best Actress Nomination For ‘The Color Purple’: “I’m Still Here”

Valerie Complex
·3 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

In response to her Golden Globe nomination Monday for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in The Color Purple, Fantasia Barrino starts the conversation with gratitude as she swore, after playing Celie on Broadway in the musical adaptation, she would never play the character again.

“I’ve said in Interviews before that I would never play this role again because of post-traumatic stress, but I am so glad that I didn’t allow fear to stand in my way,” she said after this morning’s nominations were revealed.

More from Deadline

Barrino first rose to fame in 2004 when she won the third season of American Idol with her powerful, raspy voice and emotional performances. After releasing her debut song “I Believe,” which later became the fastest-selling single in history by an Idol contestant, she released her first album. It debuted at No. 1 and was certified platinum.

Over the next few years, Fantasia released more albums and established herself as an R&B star. She then decided to expand her talents into acting when she took on the lead role in 2007-08 of Celie in the musical adaptation of Color Purple, adapted from Alice Walker’s novel. Her performance earned her raves as she effortlessly conveyed Celie’s complex emotional journey from abuse victim to empowered woman.

“The first thing I do in the morning is call my husband — I remember picking up the phone, and he was screaming,” Barrino said of hearing today’s news. “That’s when he told me I had been nominated for a Golden Globe, and I started crying. This has been a long time coming for me.”

RELATED: Golden Globes Nominations: Deadline’s Full Coverage

Barrino credits the Bible, specifically the Book of Job, as being the one that inspired her to trust the process of time as she continued to build her career.

“Job was tempted so many times to see if he would turn his back on God, and he never did, and neither did I,” she said. “I always walk with patience. Do I get upset sometimes? Yes, I’m human. I just had to trust that things will come through in the end.”

RELATED: Golden Globes Film Nominations Analysis: As ‘Barbenheimer’ Crushes The Field, Summer Blockbusters Take Triumphs To Awards Season

When asked about the path forward, Barrino said she was less focused on awards and more on having a positive impact on those around her, something he credits to the character of Celie, who helps heal others in Walker’s story.

“I don’t know what’s next,” she said. “I would love to do more movies and challenge myself in other roles because I love working. But most importantly, I want to help heal as Celie did in this story. I am so proud of her. I want to share my home and bless people with resources and the things they need.”

She adds, “I’m still here. My mother is healthy. I’ve got some healthy children who bring me so much joy, and I’ve got two cute dogs.”

RELATED: Golden Globes Scorecards: Nominations By Movie & TV Distributors

She ends the conversation with, “God, you’re still good.”

The Color Purple, which also scored a Supporting Actress nomination today for Danielle Brooks, is based on the Tony-winning musical by Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Producers include Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones, with executive producers Alice Walker and Rebecca Walker.

RELATED: ‘Barbenheimer’ Golden Globes Noms: America’s Favorite Doll Edges Out Nuclear Physicist

Barrino stars with Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Elizabeth Marvel, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, H.E.R, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Louis Gossett Jr, David Alan Grier and others.

The film debuts in theaters on December 25.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.