Fantasia Suicide Attempt Leaves Personal Life and Career in Doubt

Fantasia reportedly read a court complaint that named her as the "other woman" in a divorce case just a few hours before an apparent suicide attempt. Fantasia's manager, Brian Dickens, released a statement that explained her version of events that led up to Fantasia's overdose.

The statement reads in part, "Fantasia read Mrs. Cook's Complaint against Mr. Cook for the first time yesterday. She knows some of the allegations in Mrs. Cook's complaint are totally false. There are others she strongly doubts. There is plenty she does not know. Fantasia is heartbroken and is sorry for any pain she may have caused. Yesterday, she was totally overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention. Last night, Fantasia was hospitalized. She took an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid. Her injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time."

While the statement released by Dickens does not specifically state that Fantasia's overdose was a suicide attempt, according to Radaronline, the police report was classified as an "801-suicide".

The statement also does not specifically talk about the allegations. It has been widely reported, however, that the complaint that Paula Cook has filed against her husband Antwaun Cook says that Fantasia filmed a sex tape with her husband.

While being named in a court filing for having had sex with a married man and for having made a sex tape with him could be personally embarrassing, it hardly seems to be the kind of thing that would drive somebody to suicide, as it allegedly did to Fantasia.

Fantasia's condition is said to be stable and not life threatening; it is obviously fortunate that her suicide attempt was not successful. While affairs and attempted suicides occur across every part of society, it is not difficult to imagine that Fantasia's fame and upcoming album release and reality show may have played a part in this. It is difficult enough to deal with an embarrassing situation as a private citizen. But Fantasia, as a former American Idol champion and as a semi-established recording artist is well known. Her reality show, now going into its second season, both feeds and is supported by her fame as a singer.

The first concern, of course, is for Fantasia's mental well being and physical health. The second concern, though one that will play out in public, is how Fantasia is able to rebound from a sex tape allegation and a suicide attempt and continue to build her career.

Source: "Press Release from Brian Dickens, Manager of Fantasia Barrino", radaronline.com
Source: Staff, "Statement: "Fantasia Read Wife's Homewrecking Court Claim Then Took Overdose, Says Manager", radaronline.com