7 News Features: Surviving Simon

WSVN -- Nobody knows what American Idol is about better than Fantasia Barrino. In fact, last year's winner has a warning for the hopefuls in Hollywood.

She says getting by requires more than hitting the right notes. Just think - in a couple of months, one of these kids could soon become a household name.

Sounds impossible?

Well, it was only a year ago, a teenage mom from North Carolina put the world on its ear. Who can forget Fantasia Barrino singing summertime on national TV. The American Idol winner became an instant inspiration for millions of Americans.

American Idol Winner Fantasia Barrino: "I'm going to be honest, I caught a lot of hell because I was a young mom and I caught it, I heard everywhere I went she's a diva, I caught it, but I kept my head up and it made me a stronger woman and I still had a good time."

So how did she do it? How did she survive Simon and make it round after grueling round?

Fantasia: "You have to block out negativity."

Fantasia admits being frustrated. It wasn't all perfect harmony on the set.

But she actually found comfort in her competition.

Fantasia: "The good thing about it was we had such a supportive group."

Her advice to this year's idols: Don't let the judges bring you down. And if you do get voted off...

Fantasia: "A lot of times with competition, people don't make it, they go home and give up -- do not give up."

Fantasia's not giving up. She has her new CD, a new clothing line, she's on tour performing, plus she promises the best is yet to come.

Fantasia: "You have to think about it like this - if it doesn't work for me, it will work for me somewhere else."

What's next? Well, Fantasia says she'd like to do some acting. As for her child, she says the kid has finally gotten used to mom's fame.

Contact: laguirre@wsvn.com