As “Side Effects of You” continues to soar as one of R&B’s saviors of 2013, Fantasia is, of course, becoming re-acknowledged as one of the driving forces behind the genre.

Speaking with “theGrio“, the “Truth Is” singer spoke about what it is that keeps her in the spotlight nearly a decade after her American Idol success.

On whether she believes American Idol still maintains its ability to produce stars, she said:

“Umm I do…I always say you can’t turn somebody into a star; you’re born that way.

Whenever I see somebody hit the stage I can always point them out and say, “Yo that person is special.” And when I say special, I mean that is what they are destined to do.

Even when Carrie Underwood was on that year on Idol, I told them, “She’s the one, she’s special.” So I don’t think it’s up to the judges. They are just vessels to push and promote that person to where God ends up wanting their life.”

On the show rotating through judges, from Jennifer Lopez to Ellen Degeneres, and whether that plays into their ability to  produce stars:

“I think a lot of people do a lot of searching and changing to bring up the ratings. And in the beginning of American Idol, they show the funny stuff and the outtakes, but when the show comes to the top 12, it’s official. The “sangers” come out.

In my year we had Jennifer Hudson, Latoya London. We had some “sangers” and they should bring it back to that.

Bring in the legends like Gladys Knight, bring Elton John and Aretha Franklin. Bring in someone to sit on that panel with an actual ear and eye to say, “Yo that’s a star” and not just people to bring up ratings.”

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