FANTASIA DROPPED BY MANAGEMENT?....

Since her 2004 American Idol win, Fantasia Barrino has weathered her fair share of music business shake-ups, surviving mergers and the recent repositioning of her mentor Clive Davis, who signed her to J Records. Though she still has her contract at J, EW.com now hears that as of today, Fantasia has been dropped from 19 Management. The reason for the split, according to sources, is that age-old saw "creative differences." However, like many other Idol contestants, Fantasia remains on the label 19 Recordings and will continue to share music sales profits with the company. Given the poor climate for record sales, and the lackluster sales of many Idol releases, Fantasia's albums have done fairly well. Her debut, Free Yourself, sold almost 2 million copies, and the follow-up, 2006's Fantasia, went gold and garnered three Grammy nominations. She also starred in her own Lifetime TV biopic, authored a book about her rags-to-riches story, and received top billing in the Broadway production of The Color Purple. Says one executive and Fantasia defender: "She's a star and so multi-talented in every area. Sometimes you have to sever a relationship in order to move forward, but there's no doubt that Fantasia is accomplished and has proven herself. Someone will want to represent her." A rep for 19 declined to comment, but assured EW that management deals for David Cook, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, and Blake Lewis remain intact. MY REACTION, first of all:

Sounds like Fanny is demanding a dominant percentage of control on her music. I'm also reading that this isn't the first time Fantasia had dispute with 19 management. As much as I hate to say it, she cannot manage herself. With today's declining music sales taking place, you're not selling unless you've built up a strong fanbase. Along with that, she needs a strong management team behind her. I also recall Kelly Clarkson having the same issues regarding 'creative differences'. A lot of artists want more freedom with their music and so forth which is only fair if they already established themselves as an impressionable recording artist. Still, I say good luck to her for being passionate and staying true to herself, even if it means paying a high price for it.