My fans, who I like to call my family. Thank you for the love and support. I hope you see how my struggle made me a strong person and how keeping the faith can do the same for you. It’s made me who I am today.
Erin, I love you, girl, for never giving up on me. To Ryan Webb and Maya Maraj for all your hard work and dedication to this project, thank you. A special thanks to Simon Fuller, Iain Pirie, Camilla Howarth, Emma Quigley, Zach Duane, Tom Ennis, and the rest of the 19 family. To Gary Greenberg, for standing by me and keeping an eye out. To everyone at CAA, thank you. Love you, Clive Davis, and everyone at J Records. Also, Michael Broussard and Jan Miller at Dupree/ Miller & Associates for your support.
To my editor, Nancy Hancock, thank you for making my story into a real book. Thank you to the team at Simon & Schuster, especially Sarah Peach, Marcia Burch, Chris Lloreda, and Shida Carr, for their tireless efforts. Finally, thanks to Kim Green, my collaborator, for her skill, encouragement, guidance, and for helping me to tell my story.
My first photo, the day I came home from the hospital.
My first musical instrument—my rattle!
I had some spunk even when I was two.
The “famous” Barrino Family.
My first real bling.
Makin’ it big in High Point, North Carolina, the Furniture Capital of the World.
The house where it all happened, 511 Montlieu Avenue.
The Daniel Brooks projects in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Grandma Addie and Mama’s church, Mercy Outreach Church of Deliverance in Trinity, North Carolina.
A proud baby mama.
The man who showed me respect, J.B.
As soon as you make it on the show, you start posing for “celeb” photos. Look how sweet I look!
This is the picture that started it all—the first Polaroid of me at theAmerican Idolauditions.
Getting beautiful backstage.
Sharin’ my gift.
Huggin’ up to Ryan.
Hangin’ with the girls backstage—La Toya, Diana, Jasmine, and a member of the production team.
It starts to seem real in the final three.
Singing to win, reaching to God with the choir behind me.
I can taste it now!
The moment my dreams came true.
Cheesin’ to the camera like an Idol with Daddy and Zion.
Four generations of Barrino women.
Celebratin’ the win with my daughter, my brothers, and my friends.
My miracle house. Look how far I’ve come!
Everyone wants to congratulate me on my win. Even the UPS man wants a hug!
I’m in trouble! Zion showing off her ’Tasia attitude.
