33: Fantasia – Powerful Women of 2013

If there's one rags to riches story that really made headlines, it was that of Fantasia Barrino. As the Season 3 winner of 'American Idol,' her life was broadcasted to millions and presented the good and bad parts of her life. And her performance of 'I Believe' after winning the title was full of so much emotion that fans instantly fell for her.

Soon after winning in 2004, she released her debut LP, 'Free Yourself,' which has sold over 2 million copies to date and earned her three Grammy nominations. Although she managed to do well on the R&B stage, Fantasia really found her footing on Broadway when she played Celie in 'The Color Purple.' She made such an impression that Oprah wanted her to reprise that role in an upcoming film version.

After releasing three albums, touring all over with big names and even getting her own reality TV series, Fantasia debuted her fourth LP, 'Side Effects of You,' this year. The effort landed at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 91,000. A feat well-deserved for the talented southern belle.