Fantasia’s mesmerizing performance at the 2018 ESSENCE Festival was one those who witnessed it will never forget for more reasons that one.
A favorite among ESSENCE Festival fans, the powerhouse soul music diva was in true form from beginning to end as she took to the Superdome stage to run through a mix of the classics that helped propel her to stardom and new music from her latest album, The Definition Of. Whether she was belting out songs like “Free Yourself” or dancing her heart out to the sounds of “Hood Boy,” “Without Me” and “When I See You,” the 32-year-old songstress left everything on the stage.
Every Fantasia performance is one full of emotion and raw talent, but there was one moment in particular during her ESSENCE Fest set that had many Festival-goers shedding tears of joy right along with her.
Towards the end of her showstopping mainstage moment, which came just before headliner Janet Jackson closed the weekend out with a spectacular show of her own, Fantasia opened up to the crowd about a recent motorcycle accident that nearly claimed the life of her younger brother.
While sharing her brother’s tragic story with the audience, she displayed pictures of his hard-fought journey to recovery in the hospital just before transitioning to a heartfelt performance of her hit, “Lose To Win.”
As the song neared its’ end, the audience erupted in cheers when a sudden break in the music was followed by Fantasia’s brother making his way to the stage in a wheelchair, smiling from ear to ear and singing along to his big sister’s song.
Fantasia broke down in tears as she kneeled at her brother’s side to share an embrace that was undoubtedly felt by everyone in the room.
A truly magical moment to close out a phenomenal performance.
For more on every unforgettable moment you missed at the 2018 ESSENCE Festival, visit ESSENCE.com