Filed under: Music, Television, News, Celeb Updates
In the midst of Fantasia Barrino's much talked about scandal with Antwaun Cook, many questions remain unanswered regarding the mysterious man in the center of the controversy.Well, new details were uncovered about the proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, who is also the father of two young boys.
Prior to the season three 'American Idol' winner meeting him at a Charlotte-area T-Mobile store, where he was reportedly employed, Cook held a career in real estate in which he pursued in 2003.
"I grew an interest in real estate originally from the investing side, and have continued in real estate from many different angles for the last seven years," the East Carolina University graduate allegedly wrote to potential clients on his Keller Williams Realty website. "I attained my real estate license in 2006, which allows me to share the knowledge from my own 'good' and 'interesting' experiences of the home buying and selling process."
"Being that I have researched and purchased my own investment properties it makes me knowledgeable in the many facets of the process," Cook continued. "Allow me to help you with selling your home and finding your dream home," he offered.
Cook's self-proclaimed "high integrity" and customer service expertise may have translated well to helping Fantasia fulfill her mobile communication needs.
But despite the platinum-selling singer admitting to having a romantic affair with Cook since 2009, she also maintains in believing he was separated from his estranged wife, Paula Cook.
Unfortunately, he wasn't being as transparent as Barrino, 26, had initially thought. On Aug. 4, the missus filed for divorce, detailing in court documents that the singer engaged in an lurid affair with her husband and even "recorded" several of their sexual encounters.
The wife is seeking child custody, alimony and other monetary support, according to court documents filed in Mecklenburg County District Court in the Charlotte area.
The whirlwind of events not only reportedly came as a shock to Fantasia but also "overwhelmed" her, according to her manager Brian Dickens.
The scandalous ordeal, which became a top story in the mainstream media, eventually landed 'The Color Purple' star in hospital Aug. 10 due to an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid.
She was released from a North Carolina hospital on Aug. 12.
"She has been lifted up by the outpouring of love and support from her fans," Dickens -- a former Washington Court Hotel font desk attendant -- said in a statement. "She is more committed than ever to her daughter and her work because they are her heart, her soul and inspiration."
Though Fantasia and Cook have apparently called their affair off, it appears that they staged a reunion of sorts. Photos of the two surfaced online Aug. 13 showing the couple outside of Barrino's North Carolina home the day before -- with a camera crew in tow. Though a VH1 insider denies that the crew was there filming the finale of the reality show 'Fantasia For Real,' some believe that it was staged to boost ratings.
"Their relationship has been really off and on in recent times so we will just have to wait and see how things will pan out," a source told the website Radar Online. "Fantasia has plenty of people looking after her right now, and the most important thing is that she does not have too much pressure or stress."