Rumors have circulated recently that “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino may have taken a page out of the Paris Hilton playbook and recorded a sex tape. To add insult to injury, the guy she is accused of making it with, Antwaun Cook, is a married man. Barrino may have also attempted suicide, because of the media circus the situation has caused.
The controversy began when rumors began floating around that Fantasia was dating Cook, and had been doing so on-and-off for nearly a year. The singer never completely denied having a relationship with Cook, but maintained that he and his wife were separated at the time.
The situation worsened last week, when Paula Cook–Antwaun’s wife–filed for divorce seeking full custody of the couples’ two children, child support, alimony, the family home, and a car. In her petition, Cook stated that Barrino and her husband frequented celebrity parties, bars, nightclubs, and premieres together and that her husband enjoyed the lavish benefits of the high-profile relationship. Paula Cook is also responsible for the rumors of the alleged sex tape saying in her petition that they have “at times recorded their illicit sexual activity.”
The overwhelming media roller coaster that commenced afterward led Barrino to swallow a bottle of aspirin and sleeping aids, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, who responded to a 911 call.
Barrino was hospitalized for two days due to the risk of possible internal injuries from ingesting the medication but has since returned home. Brian Dickens, Fantasia’s manager who called the authorities, told sources, “she is in great condition, very stable, very alert, and looking forward to returning to work.”
He also maintains that the incident was not a suicide attempt.
“Fantasia was heartbroken and is sorry for any pain she may have caused,” said Dickens. “She believed (Cook), when he told her that he and Mrs. Cook were separated in late summer of 2009.
She was overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the allegations.”
The lawsuit in question is particularly important because North Carolina, where all parties reside, is one of only seven states that have the “alienation of affection” law which according to Hatcher Law Group in Charlotte states:
“Alienation of Affections is a civil action against a third party lover for that lover’s conduct that deprived the plaintiff of the love and affection that previously existed between plaintiff and his or her spouse. The plaintiff does not have to show evidence of adultery.”
What this essentially says, is that Mrs. Cook doesn’t have to prove that there was an actual affair, only that as a result of Barrino’s ongoing interaction with her husband, she was deprived of the love and affection that she would have normally received had Barrino not interfered.
With a quick look at the Internet this may not be particularly hard to prove with the numerous pictures of Fantasia and Cook vacationing together; the couple walking hand in hand; the tattoo reading “Cook” that Fantasia has on her shoulder; and if the alleged sex tapes surface denying a relationship will not come easily.
