When you’ve got a voice as amazing as 2018 ESSENCE Festival performer Fantasia’s, it would seem that getting nervous about a performance would be out of the question. As it turns out, even Mrs. Taylor gets a little anxious before hitting the stage.

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We caught up with Fantasia recently and she took us on a quick stroll down memory lane to revisit how it felt to perform at ESSENCE Festival for the very first time back in 2005. The performance came just over a year after the powerhouse songstress stole the hearts of viewers to become the youngest winner of American Idol at age 19, and just 8 months after Fantasia released her classic debut album, Free Yourself, in November of 2004.

Check out the video above to hear all about the unforgettable moment when she first graced the Festival stage from the diva herself and then be sure to grab your tickets to see her do it all again on Sunday, July 8 at this year’s ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans.

See you in NOLA!