It's a "yes" from E!, dawg.
As in, yes, we're both thrilled that American Idol is returning and that season three winner Fantasia Barrino just netted her first Golden Globe nod for her role in The Color Purple remake. "For me, losing everything twice, having to fight to get back here, it feels good," the musician told E! News ahead of both the award show's nominations and the film's Christmas Day release. "That's why I'm going to enjoy it because my story has always been out there. I've never been afraid to share it. I feel that when you go through tests, that's your testimony. How else do you help somebody else?"
And she's not the only veteran from the long-running music competition series to have a tale to tell.
From Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert to Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks, some of Hollywood's biggest stars have graced the American Idol stage. Though some took home the show's microphone trophies, others have since taken home Grammys.
In case Idol hopefuls were looking for more reasons to covet that golden ticket to Hollywood.
So before judges Katy Perry (in her series swan song!), Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie begin the journey to crown a 22nd champ Feb. 18, we're looking back on all the champs who waited a lifetime for their winning moment.
(This story was originally published on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at 1:45 p.m. PT.)