Loyal reader Kennedy C. writes:

*Sandra, I’m writing you because I need you to help me understand something and maybe I just overlooked it but I figured you could help some of us out. Now, before Fantasia’s overdose I had seen reports of her on CNN about her affair. Can you please tell me why CNN never mentioned Alicia Key’s affair? I mean, isn’t Alicia the bigger name? The more news worthy? Why is Nancy Grace covering Fantasia and hasnt said anything about that slore Alicia?

I’ve received numerous emails like this one ever since American Idol winner Fantasia swallowed an unknown quantity of Aspirin in a desperate bid to gain sympathy in the wake of adultery reports.

The national news media (read: white media) jumped all over the story when the news broke that Fantasia was being sued by a woman who accused her of interfering in her marriage.

Pictures of Fantasia holding hands with the married man, Antwaun Cook, were staples on all the urban blogs for months.


CNN’s Nancy Grace even set aside her daily blanket Hailey Cummings coverage on Monday to fit in a little Fantasia bashing (assisted by AOL Black Voices columnist Jawn Murray).

Two hours later, Fantasia attempted suicide in her N. Carolina mansion and was rushed to a local hospital to have her stomach pumped.

All of this leaves Fantasia fans to ponder why the mainstream media totally ignored singer Alicia Keys who committed the same crime as Fantasia when she crept with the then married music producer Swizz Beatz.

What is it that attracted the media sharks to Fantasia’s story like blood in the water, but caused them to ignore Alicia Keys, the more attractive, LSLH singer?

The answer has to be: American Idol.

Fantasia won American Idol and Alicia Keys didn’t. American Idol is one of the most popular television shows in U.S. history. The show consistently drew high ratings for the FOX network. The third season, which Fantasia won, was one of the highest rated seasons in AI history, with a total of 360 million votes, and raking in over $260,000,000.

As you know, television ratings is a numbers game. And with numbers like those, it should not be any mystery why the mainstream media is all over Fantasia’s story.

*Edited for clarity