Fantasia Barrino, the American Idol winner, has had a tumultuous journey when it comes to her love life.

Her past relationships were filled with drama, but after a period of personal growth and self-reflection, she eventually met her now-husband, Kendall Taylor. However, their relationship has been full of ups and downs, with several twists and turns, and has been anything but smooth sailing.

After experiencing significant struggles, including a foreclosure on her home in 2013 and a $1 million tax bill, Fantasia decided it was time to make a change.

She went on a seven-month spiritual fast, during which she focused on self-improvement, stopped dating, and distanced herself from distractions like alcohol.

Fantasia even bought herself a ring, symbolizing her self-love, and decided that any future man would have to live up to her high standards. She wrote down a list of qualities she wanted in a partner, including someone who could support her spiritually and provide for her family.

Kendall Taylor, on the other hand, came from a rough background. He grew up without his father and got involved in street life at a young age. He had several run-ins with the law, including arrests and a stint in jail.

However, after his last time in jail, he decided to turn his life around, focusing on building a successful business in the transportation and logistics industry.

In 2014, Fantasia and Kendall met in an unexpected way. While at a rooftop bar in Charlotte, a drunk man introduced Fantasia to Kendall. At first, Kendall wasn’t impressed, but as the night progressed, he realized he was in the presence of a celebrity. Fantasia, intrigued by Kendall’s protective attitude and his physical appearance, made the first move by having one of his friends relay her interest in talking to him.

They spent the night talking and exchanged contact information, but it wasn’t until a few days later that Fantasia reached out to Kendall.

Fantasia invited Kendall to join her at a water park with her children and some friends. Though Kendall wasn’t initially interested in a serious relationship, he agreed to meet her. They spent some time together, during which Kendall shared his past, including his criminal history.

Despite his reservations, Fantasia continued to pursue him, inviting him to her birthday party and even FaceTiming him during a trip to Cancun.

Despite Kendall’s initial reluctance, the pair grew closer, and in October 2014—just three weeks after meeting—they got married at a courthouse.

Fantasia, eager to avoid repeating past mistakes, made sure to have a prenup in place, though she had initially expressed that she would marry him without one. Kendall also got a tattoo of Fantasia’s name on his chest, a gesture that, while romantic, is often seen as a bad omen for relationships.

As their relationship progressed, it was revealed that Kendall had a criminal record, including charges related to violence, substance possession, and child support issues.

This information became public when Kendall’s criminal history was sent to a blogger after his tattoo became widely known. Despite these challenges, Fantasia and Kendall’s relationship continues, though it remains a hot topic of discussion due to the complexities of their pasts and the way their relationship began.