Cowell: Fantasia’s Win Over Diana Essential For ‘Idol’

Simon Cowell tells TV Guide Online he felt Fantasia Barrino’s victory over Diana DeGarmo was essential to the ‘American Idol’ franchise. “That’s why I was quite bullish in saying I thought Fantasia would win,” he explained. “I was praying Fantasia would win – because without huge record sales at the end, there’s no desire the following year to want to win this competition. I genuinely think she is the best yet. I really, really do.”