NC police thought Fantasia overdose a suicide try

[August 12, 2010]  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Police believed they were responding to an attempted suicide after "American Idol" winner Fantasia overdosed on aspirin and other pills at her home in Charlotte, but her manager says she wasn't trying to kill herself.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report released Wednesday did not name the victim but Fantasia's manager confirmed that she overdosed. A man told a 911 dispatcher that she took a bottle of aspirin and was slowly losing consciousness. Police did not identify the caller.

Manager Brian Dickens said Fantasia overdosed on the pills and a sleep aid but that her injuries were not life-threatening and that it wasn't a suicide attempt. She was released from the hospital Wednesday, Dickens said. Earlier, he said she was "in great condition, very stable, very alert and looking forward to returning to work."

The overdose came days after a woman accused Fantasia in court documents of having an affair with her husband. Fantasia was "overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention," Dickens said in a statement Tuesday.

The 911 caller described the victim as awake and breathing. Family members doused her in the shower trying to keep her awake. The dispatcher told the caller to take the victim out of the shower.

Dickens acknowledged Tuesday that Fantasia had a relationship with a Charlotte man named Antwaun Cook for 11 months. In a court filing last week seeking alimony and child support payments, Paula Cook alleged that her husband and Fantasia had recorded sex tapes.

Fantasia read the complaint Monday, Dickens said.

"Fantasia fell in love with Mr. Cook and believed that he loved her," Dickens' statement said. "Fantasia is heartbroken and is sorry for any pain she may have caused."

Since winning the "American Idol" crown in 2004, Fantasia has seen success and troubles. While she's had both platinum and gold albums and starred on Broadway in "The Color Purple," she almost lost her home in 2008.

A VH1 reality show, "Fantasia For Real," debuted earlier this year, chronicling her struggles as a single mother trying to support her family, as well as her attempts to jump-start her career, which has sagged in recent years.

"At this moment it's too soon for us to speak to how these events will change the show and or if anything will be re-worked," a VH1 spokeswoman said.

Cameras were not rolling when she checked in and "we are not currently filming but will most likely resume filming in the near future," she said.

[Associated Press; By EMERY P. DALESIO]

Associated Press writers Martha Waggoner and Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Mesfin Fekadu in New York contributed to this report.

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