Fantasia Barrino is poised to reprise her role as Celie in the upcoming musical revival of “The Color Purple,” marking a return nearly two decades after the singer declared she would never take on the part again.

“I carried her every day, all day, and I didn’t like that feeling,” the “American Idol” Season 3 winner told Variety's Angelique Jackson in her Power of Women cover story. 

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However, an intimate visit from the film’s director, Blitz Bazawule, would eventually help shift Barrino’s outlook on playing the challenging role. Bazawule shared his spin on the scene where Celie and Shug Avery, played by Taraji P. Henson, first met, and the singer loved it. “You get to see how she made it through some of this stuff,” Barrino noted.    

The industry veteran also detailed how portraying Celie provided a platform for her to navigate and process moments from her past, notably experiences involving domestic violence. 

While filming, the star chose not to employ a stunt double for scenes where Celie’s husband, Mister, portrayed by Colman Domingo, engages in physical altercations. Despite objections from her co-star, Barrino justified her decision as an opportunity to confront her past. She expressed, “I could let go of every man that’s ever put his hands on me. I freed myself from that.”

“The Color Purple” musical hits theaters on Christmas Day. The movie includes Barrino, Danielle Brooks, and Halle Bailey, with appearances by Aunjanue Ellis, Ciara, Jon Batiste, Deon Cole, Tamela Mann, David Alan Grier, H.E.R., and many more.