Fantasia Receives Honorary High School Diploma

Fantasia Barrino, whose struggle with illiteracy was documented in her 2005 memoir 'Life Is Not a Fairy Tale,' has another accolade to add to her collection. The former 'American Idol' contestant was given an honorary high school diploma last week from her former high school in North Carolina. Donning a cap and gown, the 25-year-old singer walked with the Andrew High School graduating class of 2010.

The singer attended Andrews High School up until she was 16 years old when, after becoming a victim of rape, dropped out of school without completing her education. Fantasia soon gave birth to her daughter Zion and moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, leaving her life behind when she auditioned for 'American Idol' in early 2004.

As a contestant on the reality show, Fantasia wowed audiences with her renditions of Tina Turner's 'Proud Mary' and Aretha Franklin's 'Chain of Fools,' becoming the third season's victor over competitors Jennifer Hudson and La Toya London. She soon released her chart-topping debut single 'I Believe,' followed by her first solo album 'Free Yourself' that went on to sell upwards of two million copies.

Since her days on 'Idol,' Fantasia released her New York Times bestseller 'Life is Not a Fairy Tale,' a memoir dictated to a freelance writer. She has also made her Broadway debut as Celie in 'The Color Purple,' a role for which she was given the Theater World Award and Best Replacement Star Broadway, and appeared on the small screen in her own VH1 reality show, 'Fantasia For Real'.

Her currently untitled third album, which has already spawned the single 'Bittersweet', is slated for release on July 13.