American Idol’s Fantasia Barrino lights up Grammy stage with “Proud Mary” Tina Turner homage
Sunday night’s 2024 Grammy Awards were full of impressive performances, including Fantasia Barrino’s musical homage to the late Tina Turner.
The American Idol season 3 winner took the stage wearing Tina’s trademark gold fringe, channeling the late superstar with a spectacular performance of the Ike & Tina Turner hit “Proud Mary.”
Out in the audience while looking for people to dance with her, Fantasia passed by Beyonce, who clearly did NOT WANT TO BE NOTICED in that moment. Later, Fantasia said on social media that she didn’t notice her in the moment. “I was so in my zone I didn’t recognize @beyonce was standing there! After the performance, your hug, your elegance and the amazing gift you hold… I would love to do a record with you and/or Grace the stage with you Queen.”
She also mentioned that the choir Sainted, heading to the AGT: Fantasy League finals, could be heard at the end of the performance.
Oprah Winfrey, Fantasia’s mentor and producer of the movie musical The Color Purple, in which the singer stars as Celie, introduced her. In another social media post, Fantasia thanked Oprah and mentioned that TWO of Tina’s backup dancers performed with her! “What an honor it was having 2 of Tina Turners dancers of 14 years perform with me! @fatima_noir, thank you and your entire team for teaching me all the choreography! @adamblackstone, the musical arrangement was just what we needed. Thanks @oprah for introducing me to the stage.”
Watch the performance below. Unfortunately, no full performance on Youtube at this time.
Fantasia performed “Proud Mary” at her American Idol audition 20 years ago!
It’s worth noting that it’s 20 years almost to the day that Fantasia’s American Idol audition of “Proud Mary” aired on the iconic competitive reality show. Judge Simon Cowell instantly fell in love with the soulful singer. From that moment on, Fantasia was destined to win it all. Certainly, the Grammy performance served as a full circle moment for her. Fantasia was was only 19 years old at the time.
Fantasia photo gallery at the Grammys
Elsewhere at the Grammys…Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie
Kelly Clarkson didn’t win the two awards she was nominated for, but she did appear on the red carpet with her son Remy as her date. Also, American Idol judge, Lionel Richie, has been promoting the Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, which is a behind the scenes look at the recording and filming of “We Are the World” in 1985. The video and vocals were all taped around Grammy night, the only time all the big stars involved could get together at the same time!
2024 Grammy Awards FULL Winners List
Lionel presented Song of the Year” to Billie Eilish for her tune from the Barbie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For.” Her brother, Finneas, co-wrote the song and played piano for her touching Grammy performance.
