Fantasia on 'The Color Purple,' Marriage and What She Would Have Done Differently During 'Idol' (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

Fantasia Barrino had to be convinced to join the cast of Blitz Bazawule's forthcoming  movie. Yes, she's now ecstatic about reprising her role of Celie but the hesitation, initially, was strong and very real.The 37-year-old singer/actress and her husband, Kendall Taylor, sat down with ET for an in-depth conversation about her upcoming movie, their new marriage advice book and the show that launched her to stardom almost 20 years ago.

First, . The film is three months into production and Fantasia says she's had to learn quite a few things for the film — like tap dance and juggling her busy schedule to squeeze in date night with the hubby.The 2004 winner is now more than happy with her heavy schedule, but she came so close to shutting the door on the opportunity.

And her experience — personally and professionally — during her time on the Broadway musical from 2006 to 2007 was almost to blame.«My life at that time was all over the place,» says Fantasia about playing Celie for nearly nine months onstage. «So, carrying Celie's weight and my weight was not fun.

And I remember saying in interviews and radio stations, when they would ask me, I said, 'Well, I did it, but I'll never do it again.»Enter Scott Sanders, one of 's producers who called Fantasia about the role, but she already had her answer prepared."'I can't go back, I can't do that again, Scott'" Fantasia recalls telling Sanders. «And he says, 'Listen, I know where you are in your life right now.