Fantasia Barrino Emerges Stronger In Hollywood, Explores New Wine Business Venture

Her newfound confidence has also opened the door for her to explore other passions.

Fantasia Barrino has made her way back into the Hollywood spotlight in a major way, and it seems like she’s poised to take on another industry as well. The early Academy Award contender and The Color Purple star says she’s finally “ready” for Hollywood and has also earned her sommelier certificate, AfroTech reports.

Barrino, who sang her way into hearts as the winner of season three of American Idol at 19 years old, says now, at 39, she is finally ready to carry the responsibility of fame.

“It feels like ‘Idol’ all over again, except that I’m a woman, and I get it,” she said. “I’m in a better state of mind. I’m ready for Hollywood now. I was not ready for Hollywood when I was 19.”

Elle reports that her newfound confidence has also opened the door for her to explore other passions, which will lead to a new business venture in the wine industry.

“I have a wine coming out. I went back to school, so I got my sommelier certificate because I didn’t want people to think that I was just a Black girl putting my name on a wine to try to make money,” Barrino said. “I really love the process of it, and I also love to drink it because it’s good. I love the process of wine. I fell in love with it when my husband took me to a winery, and I felt like this may sound crazy, but I kind of felt like my life was like what wine has to go through—the pressing. I wanted to know more about it. We’re coming out with a red wine; we’re coming out with a rosé.”

With a second chance at bringing the story of Celie to the world and a warm “welcome home” from the industry that made her a household name, Barrino’s rebirth is on full display. “This Tasia is different,” she said.