Fantasia Barrino’s First Single Hit Stores

RALEIGH, N.C. – Fantasia Barrino’s first single hit stores Tuesday, and the “American Idol” winner hopes it’s only the beginning of a long and varied career.

“Man, I want to do everything. I want to do some acting, I want my own clothing lines,” Barrino told AP Radio. The 19-year-old single mother also wants to build activity centers for teenagers in her home state.

“There’s a lot of young people out there on the streets who think that’s what life is all about. I want to do some heavy, heavy stuff in North Carolina,” Barrino said.

On Tuesday, Barrino released “I Believe,” the song she performed after she was announced the winner on the “American Idol” season finale in May. A new album and the 48-city American Idols Live tour this summer, which kicks off July 14 in Salt Lake City, should keep the singer busy. But Barrino’s faced challenges before, such as those who doubted she could achieve her dreams after having her daughter.

“They said to me that I couldn’t do it. And I said, ‘No that’s not true. You know, if God forgave me then you guys can forgive me too. Life goes on and I can do it.’ And I did it,” Barrino said.