American Idol Fantasia Barrino Loves The Voice: The Show Is About Talent – ‘We Need To Get Back To That’

She was crowned the “American Idol” in 2004, but Fantasia Barrino admits she’s a huge fan of “Idol’s” rival show, “The Voice”!

“I love ‘The Voice,’ honestly,” the singer told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Wednesday’s “Access Hollywood Live.” “They have their chairs turned, they’re not looking at what the person looks like – they’re going off of their talent.

“I love that,” she added. “Love that!”

WATCH IT NOW: Fantasia Talks New Album & Getting Rid Of Negativity

Fantasia – whose fourth studio album, “Side Effects of You,” drops on Tuesday, was quick to clarify she’s still a fan of “Idol,” but praised “The Voice’s” focus on actual vocal ability.

“I love ‘Idol,’ but I just think that [with] ‘The Voice,’ it’s not about age, it’s not about your looks, it’s just strictly about your talent,” she said. “And we need to get back to that. We lost that. And that’s what I love about it.”

The 28-year-old will return to the “Idol” stage on Thursday night to perform her new single, “Lose to Win” – a song title which references an idea she’s adopted after living life under the harsh spotlight of fame.

“There was always something negative [about me in the press] and no matter how many things I did positive, that never came out, so that was the hardest thing for me at that time,” she said. “Now I really don’t care. I had to just find peace. I almost lost my life in getting caught up in all of this.”

Now a content mother of two, Fantasia’s priorities have shifted.

“I don’t want to do that anymore. I have two beautiful kids, who when I wake up in the morning I’m like, that’s all I need,” she said.

Catch Fantasia on “American Idol” – Thursday at 8/7c on FOX.

— Erin O’Sullivan

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