Fantasia Barrino received the second-lowest vote total this week on "American Idol," but she got nothing but love from the fans on a visit home.
Barrino emerged in tears from a stretch sport utility vehicle when she pulled into her hometown of High Point, N.C., Thursday. Police estimated 3,000 people showed up to give her support and compare conspiracy theories.
The 19-year-old almost got booted on Wednesday's episode of the Fox singing competition. The viewer-vote results shocked the studio audience and the panel of judges, who thought she and La Toya London — who got the least votes and her walking papers — performed far better than remaining singers Jasmine Trias and Diana DeGarmo.
High Point resident Joan McCorkle voted six times for Barrino in the latest round.