As Fantasia Barrino rides the awards season buzz for her feature film acting debut in “The Color Purple,” the second season “American Idol” winner is thinking of her next moves on the big screen.
“I want something very challenging,” Fantasia told Variety Tuesday night at Elle’s Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles, where she was honored alongside her co-stars Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson. “I want to step out and do a character you’d probably never think of me as.”
She added with a sinister laugh, “I want you to hate me.”
Fantasia suggests a “John Wick” movie or at least one that’s similar. “Was John Wick a villain?” she asked. “Maybe not, but he was kick-ass. I want something where I can kick ass!”
Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson attend Elle’s 2023 Women in Hollywood.
Getty Images for ELLE
Brooks said she’s open to another musical – she originated her role of Sophia in “The Color Purple’s” Tony-winning Broadway revival – but doesn’t have one in mind.
“I want an original,” she said. “I have been stepping in others’ shoes for so long that now I want something new. I don’t the story. I just need a good writer, good words, good actors.”
“Color Purple” producer Oprah Winfrey presented Brooks, Taylor and Henson with their honors during the Elle dinner.
Henson recalled Winfrey’s first visit to set. “She grabs my hand. And I’m like, ‘Oh, my goodness,’” Henson said. “She’s just beautiful and warm. And she’s giving us the stage, passing the baton and telling us all to make the characters ours. … After we wrapped for the day, we all did the Electric Slide with Oprah Winfrey.”
How were O’s dance moves? “She was incredible,” Henson said before adding with a laugh, “But do you think if she wasn’t, I would tell you that?”
