Days after R&B sensation Fantasia Barrino cried tears of joy onstage, stunned by a mid-concert proposal and dazzling new wedding ring from her husband of 11 years, Kendall Taylor, the former “American Idol” winner has also been crying tears of despair.
Video of the couple’s do-over engagement — and the whopping 11-carat ring Taylor proposed with — quickly went viral on February 15, 2026, with nearly 19,000 celebratory comments on Instagram alone, including from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, David Archuleta, and Holly Robinson Peete.
But what stood out most were disparaging comments made on social media by Fantasia’s estranged dad, Joseph Barrino, which sent the soulful singer spiraling. She got so angry over his claims about her husband that on February 18, Fantasia posted her dad’s mugshot from a 2024 arrest, according to the Atlanta Black Star.
Determined not to let her dad’s words steal her joy, Fantasia also posted a new video of Taylor’s surprise proposal and seemingly wrote directly to her dad in the caption, “You took my moment but I’m taking it BACK!!!”
Fantasia’s Dad Claimed Her Husband Was Stealing Money From Her
Fantasia, who skyrocketed to fame when she won the third season of “American Idol” in 2004, has faced many ups and downs in the two decades since. According to the Atlanta Black Star, she experienced financial struggles including “losing a home, filing bankruptcy, and struggling to pay a million-dollar debt” after a surgery kept her from performing from 2018 to 2020.
But the singer’s fortunes have changed in recent years, with a full touring schedule, her award-winning lead role in the 2024 remake of “The Color Purple,” and a new Christmas movie with Tyler Perry in the works. She’s also been very vocal about her love for Taylor and his impact on her career.
The duo got married within three weeks of meeting, and Fantasia never had a big proposal moment — so Taylor decided to change that on Valentine’s Day, getting down on his knee onstage and presenting her with a ring so big that she collapsed at the sight of it.
As news spread of the special moment, Fantasia’s dad took to Facebook and wrote multiple messages disparaging Taylor, including one that said, “FAKE CRY BULL CRAP…HES GIVING BACK SOME OF THE MISSING MONEY THE FIRED FINANCIAL COMMITTEE SAYS HES PROBABLY STOLE..THAT THEY COULDNT ACCOUNT FOR…YALL PRAY FOR FANTASIA ! I HATE THIS FOR HER !”
Fantasia’s Husband Kendall Taylor Clapped Back at Her Dad’s Claims
GettyFurious about her dad’s comments, Fantasia posted — and later deleted — an Instagram post with her dad’s mugshot from a 2024 domestic violence arrest, reposted by the Atlanta Daily Star.
She wrote in the caption, “I wasn’t going to do this, but this has Gotten Out of Hand. Joseph Barrino I can’t even call you Dad or a Father, you are a DONOR!!! We have covered for you long enough. My Mom and me have made you LOOK like you were and Okay Man but NOW YOU HAVE COME FOR MY KING!!!”
After her post was removed and replaced with the new video of their proposal, Taylor went on Instagram Live with his own 17-minute video to defend himself and call out her dad for his behavior.
“I’m very strategic in how I express emotion, in how I express frustration, anything that requires a response versus a reaction,” he said calmly. “What I’m not gonna do is allow my wife, my queen, to be in an uproar and do something that causes her to step off her throne of class and sophistication and virtue that I adore about her.”
Famous Friends Have Rushed to Defend Fantasia & Her Husband
National radio host Rickey Smiley is among the celebrities sticking up for Fantasia. He posted his own social media video on February 18, revealing how close he has been with the singer for more than two decades.
Smiley said he’d spoken with Fantasia earlier, explaining that “she was really really hurt and she sent me some text messages, some screenshots of some things that her father said to her that no dad on this earth should ever say to his daughter.”
He continued, “In defense of Kendall, Fantasia’s husband, I want to say that … for the time that I’ve known him, he’s been nothing but hardworking, genuine, and sincere. And I personally saw him and and know for a fact and over many conversations, (I) saw Fantasia and Kendall build everything back up when there was nothing.”
TV personality Glenda Hatchett, known to reality TV fans as Judge Hatchet, commented on his Instagram post, “This is what genuine friendship and support looks like !”
Singer LeToya Luckett replied, “@fantasia is a light!!!! Praying for her family. This is dope @rickeysmileyofficial 🙏🏾❤️”
Celebs have also supported Fantasia on the proposal videos she posted, including comedian and talk show host Loni Love, who wrote, “Nope moment taken…. We all love what is for you.. keep loving each other.. we love y’all!!!!! 🙏🏾”
Sounds like “Daddy,” is just a tad bit worried that he’s not going to be the main one in her pocket anymore. Leave “Fan,” alone, all of you because she got mad fans out here that will ummmm….. “DANCE!”
Pops need to be happy for his Daughter. She has be through Trials and Tribulations. Please pops just walk her down, Say IM HAPPY FOR YOU AND LET HER LIVE HER LIFE
Be happy for your daughter. Dang
Sure will love you Fantasia I hope this is the one for the rest of your life.