Atlanta, it’s always a celebration when the city comes out for one of its own, and photographer extraordinaire Derek Blanks had the whole town talking as he celebrated his 40th birthday in style. The guest list was stacked, the energy was up all night, and just when the party couldn’t get any bigger, Fantasia took the stage and turned the birthday bash into a full-blown concert.
Rocking the mic like only she can, Fantasia tore into “Without Me,” her hit single from her Side Effects of You album, and had everybody in the room singing right along with her. The song, which features Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott on the record, is all about knowing your worth and making sure nobody ever forgets it, and Tasia delivered every single note with that raw, church-bred power that has made her one of the most respected voices in R&B.
If you have ever seen Fantasia live, you already know she doesn’t just sing a song, she testifies. From the first run to the last big note, she had the birthday crowd on their feet with phones in the air, catching every moment. It’s performances like this that remind you why, more than a decade after winning American Idol, Fantasia Barrino is still in a class all by herself every time she steps in front of a microphone.
Of course, the night was all about Derek Blanks, the celebrity photographer and creative director whose lens has captured some of the biggest names in entertainment. Turning the big 4-0 surrounded by friends, family and Atlanta’s entertainment elite, Derek got a birthday moment money can’t buy. Happy birthday, Derek — and shout out to Fantasia for shutting it down! Check out the performance in the video above and more moments from FreddyO’s cameras below.
Watch more exclusive videos on the FreddyO YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@freddyo1983
Leave a Reply