Fantasia Barrino plays the role of Celie in “The Color Purple,” which hits theaters on Monday.
A viral clip of her singing during a table reading has amazed fans on social media.
Barrino is playing the role of Celie for the second time, following a Broadway appearance in 2007.
Fantasia Barrino has twice played the role of Celie, the protagonist of Alice Walker's book “The Color Purple”.
First on Broadway from April 2007 to January 2008. And currently in the box office hit musical by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, which premiered on Monday.
According to the Associated Press, it was a role she was reluctant to reprise – but she eventually agreed to take on the role.
“I’m glad I didn’t let my fear of my previous experience with Celie because of my life situation at the time stop me from doing something great,” Barrino said. “I’m on a high right now.”
On social media, fans agree that she was the right choice for the role.
A new clip is circulating on X, formerly known as Twitter, that shows Barrino during a table read for the production, where the actors read through the script together.
Barrino sings “I'm Here,” one of the film's most famous songs, using only a small microphone on her shirt. Fans were amazed at the raw power of her voice without any accompanying instruments or vocals.
“Wow, her performance was incredible! She really brought the character to life,” wrote X user @franklyankish.
“Because Fantasia moved me so much and because it was on the table, I read it,” the user wrote @Boytrapbradshaw in another version of the video posted on Dec. 24, “You better support The Color Purple tomorrow.”
“I’m eternally grateful to Fantasia,” he said @iamMelsmith. “What a voice. What a soul.”
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