HOLLYWOOD - American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino had to be persuaded to star in Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, a television movie documenting her difficult life, because she didn't want to revisit her traumatic past.
Barrino was named the winner on the third season of the hit talent competition and released her debut album Free Yourself in 2004.
The R&B star had to relive her painful early years, including dropping out of high school, becoming a single mother at 17 and being raped.
She explains, "I didn't think it was going to be tough going back playing myself, but it was because I had to relive those moments.
"At the end, I began to cry and said, 'I went through all those things, but I know why I share my life.' I'm thankful that I was able to do it."
The star initially told director Debbie Allen she wasn't willing to film a rape scene that was particularly traumatic.
She adds, "She talked to me, and she helped me out a lot. The good part about it is her son played the part.
"He was so warm and funny, so he made it a whole lot easier for me."
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