People: Fantasia rakes in the color green
Fantasia Barrino‘s fans know the R&B diva as a one-named wonder, Fantasia.
But around the hit musical “The Color Purple,” the 22-year-old star could be called the $6 Million Woman.
That’s how much dough has poured into the box office of the hit Oprah Winfrey-produced musical since Feb. 22, when it was announced that the “American Idol” winner would join the show on April 10 in the starring role of Celie.
“I think there is a groundswell of support from fans who know Fantasia’s personal history,” says producer Scott Sanders.
Like Celie, the character created by Alice Walker in her best-selling book, Fantasia has grappled with sexual abuse, illiteracy and being a single mom. She has a 5-year-old daughter.
The soulful singer from North Carolina had never seen a Broadway show before producers invited her to “The Color Purple.”
“I know the movie,” she says. “I own the movie. But I never thought I’d be Celie. The show brought me to tears. It’s such a blessing.”
Back to the block
Jennifer Lopez, who has proudly declared herself “just a girl from the Bronx,” delighted fans in her old neighborhood by appearing at a record store to sign autographs and promote her first all-Spanish album.
A crowd of 500 gathered in front of the store Wednesday to see Lopez, who was accompanied by her husband, Marc Anthony.
The chemistry is still there
Rock singer Scott Weiland‘s wife says an imbalance of medications for bipolar disorder caused her rowdy behavior last weekend that left hotel rooms trashed and led to her arrest for torching his $10,000 wardrobe.
“For lack of a better expression, I was unstable and just lost it,” Mary Weiland says, adding: “After nearly seven years of marriage I am truly grateful to have a loving husband, drug-free for 3 ½ years now, who is able to care for me during this challenging time.”
Out on a limb
A man accused of stalking singer Michelle Branch was arrested during her concert in Sheboygan, Wis., this week after she spotted him in the crowd.
Branch apologized to the audience for the disruption and played her final song.
Dominick Giordano has been following Branch to concerts around the country since 2003 and once lunged at her during an autograph session, police said.
The Force be with you, too
Irish rock star and global humanitarian Bono was officially named a knight of the British empire in a ceremony Thursday.
“You have permission to call me anything you want – except sir, all right?” the U2 singer told reporters afterward. “Lord of lords, your demigodness, that’ll do.”
His 5-year-old son was disappointed that he didn’t get a light saber, Bono added: “He thought I was becoming a Jedi.”
The birthday bunch
Actor John Astin is 77. TV personality Peter Marshall is 77. Actor Warren Beatty is 70. Musician Eric Clapton is 62. Actor Robbie Coltrane (“Harry Potter”) is 57. Actor Paul Reiser is 50. Rapper MC Hammer is 44. Actor Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210”) is 43. Singer Tracy Chapman is 43. Singer Celine Dion is 39. Singer Norah Jones is 28.