Lifetime Television Launches National Essay Contest
In Conjunction With The Premiere Of The Lifetime Original Movie Event, THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY: LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE
Essay Contest Winner Could Win Tickets To The AMERICAN IDOL SEASON SIX Series Finale In Los Angeles
Despite facing many obstacles along the way, AMERICAN IDOL winner Fantasia Barrino found the courage to live her dream in front of millions of people. Now Lifetime Television, in conjunction with the Lifetime Original Movie Event THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY: LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE, is cheering on women to achieve their dreams too and to start by writing them down for a special national essay contest. The writer of the winning essay could win two tickets to the 2007 AMERICAN IDOL season six series finale in Los Angeles.
THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY: LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE, premieres during a special three-night Lifetime Original Movie event on Saturday, August 19 at 9:00 PM, Sunday, August 20 at 8:00 PM and Monday, August 21 at 9:00 PM. All times are ET/PT.
The month-long essay contest is part of a multi-facted public service initiative to raise awareness of the issues that Fantasia and many women and families experience - ranging from low self-esteem to low literacy skills -- and to encourage viewers to make a difference in their own communities. In partnership with leading organizations such as Girls Inc., the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the National Center for Family Literacy, RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), Save the Children and the YWCA of the USA, Lifetime is offering viewers an online film discussion guide and resources on how to get involved. The Network will also air a PSA following the film′s premiere in which Fantasia personally shares how she struggled to become a confident reader, a challenge which more than 30 million Americans share.
The essay contest, which asks the question "What is your life long dream and what steps must you take to achieve it?" will run from August 16 to September 16, 2006.Ê It will be promoted in various ways, including in spots airing during the film premiere, at Lifetimetv.com, on special bookmarks distributed through Simon & Schuster to 300 independent bookstores across the country. Women and men 16 and older can enter by going to LifetimeTV.com and see all rules and regulations. Contest judges will include representatives from the non-profit partner groups.
THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY: LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE follows her journey before she ever captured the hearts and votes of millions to become the third season winner of AMERICAN IDOL. As the youngest child of Diane and JoJo Barrino, Fantasia experienced a complicated childhood, had low self-esteem and eventually dropped out of school in her early teens. With little education, money or chance of a real future, Fantasia found herself in a loveless relationship that left her pregnant at age 16.
The birth of her daughter Zion was the catalyst for Fantasia to rethink her choices and redirect her life. With the encouragement of friends and family, Fantasia took a leap of faith to audition for the hot television show AMERICAN IDOL and quickly won over the judges and audiences with her sassy style and extraordinary voice. Her powerful singing made her an instant sensation and changed her life forever.
