By Tamara Jenkins

2010 was a tumultuous year for Fantasia Barrino.  Allegations of an affair with a married man and a subsequent suicide attempt left many wondering if this would be the end for the singer. But she’s proving them wrong and come back strong which was evident during her  semi-shoeless performance on the Chicago stop of her Back To Me tour December 30th at the Auditorium Theater.

Barrino took her fans on a voyage through time with a myriad of costume changes from big band conductor in all white to 70’s soul sista in a afro and black catsuit while singing hits like Collard Greens and Cornbread, Free Yourself, I’m Doing Me, Bittersweet, Teach Me, When I See You and Even Angels.

Things got emotion at the end of her set, dressed in a purple gown Barrino addressed the crowd informing them that she’s now living for her (self), no longer living for others and performed Diana Ross’s Do You Know Where You’re Going To.  

R&B singers Kandi Buruss (former member of the 80”s R&B girl group Xscape and currently starring on the reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta) and Eric Benet were the opening acts and gave impressive performances.

Buruss, opened with the angry women anthem How Could You….Feel My Pain then showed her lighter side with Me and You(written by Ne-Yo and samples OutKast’s Cadillac Doors). She later took it acapella performing versions of Xscape hits Just Kickin It and My Little Secret as well as her current ballads Haven’t Loved Right and I Just Know.

Dressed to impress in a 3 piece suit and sunglasses, Eric Benet belted out hits Love Don’t Love Me, Hunger and Chocolate Legs, wedding anthem Spend My Life With You and Sometimes I Cry.  Midway through he relinquished his armor (jacket and sunglasses) causing a mini riot and finished with Never Want To Live Without You, You’re The Only One and Georgy Porgy during his encore.

Photo by Dan Locke