This year marks two decades since 19-year-old Fantasia Barrino made history while winning season three of American Idol. She’s one of the few champions who has continued in entertainment long after being crowned, though her time in the spotlight hasn’t been all roses and rainbows. After growing up in High Point, North Carolina, the soulful songstress suddenly skyrocketed to fame before she could even legally drink. As a result of the pressure, Fantasia has faced some low moments, including the near-foreclosure of a mansion purchased in her home state amid her Idol success. As she told Entertainment Weekly in 2013, “I was very, very green,” leaving the singer-turned-actress unable to make sound financial decisions. Now that she’s had time to learn from past mistakes, let’s reflect on Barrino’s various residences in NC, including the one she seemingly occupies with her family now.

Fantasia’s Former Homes

2004 was an unforgettable time for Fantasia. After winning the country’s biggest singing competition, she bought a beautiful home for $740K. For a 19-year-old, taking on a property with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, two bonus rooms and a music room was no small feat, but she felt up to the challenge. Other amenities in the home include the master bedroom sauna, as well as a fifth bedroom that was converted into a walk-in closet.

Thinking of her first home is likely bittersweet for the mother of three now, as she sold it in 2018 for a major loss at just $465K. Fantasia “wanted a quick sale” on her half an acre of land and 4,541-square foot home; it was “in need of extensive renovation,” the Los Angeles Times reported.

Fantasia’s Mansion in the Same State Was Signed Over to the Bank

In 2007 – one year after her father sued her for his portrayal in her Life Is Not a Fairy Tale memoir – the 39-year-old went all out and purchased a $1.3M mansion not far from her other home. The 6,500-square-foot spot has a pond-front location “in the upscale Glynmoor Lakes development in Charlotte,” containing six bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms.

The Billboard Music Award winner faced a possible foreclosure on the property during her second year there, but “dodged the bullet at the 12th hour,” TMZ reported. She later put it on the market at $800K (another huge real estate loss) in 2012 but failed to find a buyer. To avoid further financial strife, Fantasia ultimately walked away for $0 by signing her mansion over to the bank in 2013.

‘The Color Purple’ Star Addresses Her Financial Hardships Candidly

Rather than getting stuck in the past, the Broadway star chooses to use her struggles as a source of empowerment. “I’m grateful for it. If I did not go through that, I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today,” she shared with EW. In 2010, Fantasia survived an overdose of aspirin and sleep aids, which was in part due to the pressure she felt in her early 20s. “I didn’t know anything about contracts. I didn’t know anything about checking your money and making sure every day your stuff was where it was supposed to be. I just trusted and believed everybody that came into my life,” the multi-talent explained. “You have to become a businesswoman, and you link up with great business partners, but it doesn’t have a lot to do with love,” Barrino added. “It took me a long time to figure that out.”

Where Does Fantasia Live Now?

These days, much less is known about Fantasia’s family digs, though she appears to still reside in North Carolina with Kendall Taylor, whom she’s been married to since 2015. Internet sleuths have pieced together clues from her daughter Zion’s Instagram page, taking note of the Barrino clan’s pool area, plus the luxurious white-marbled walls, floors and indoor jacuzzi. The property also looks to have an at-home gym with an exercise bike and weights to help keep everyone in great shape.