Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks performing at the American Idols Live Tour 2007 in Sunrise, Florida.
Jordin Sparks performing at the American Idols Live Tour 2007 in Sunrise, Florida.
Background information
Birth name Jordin Brianna Sparks
Born December 22, 1989 (1989-12-22) (age 19)
Phoenix, Arizona[1]
Origin Glendale, Arizona, USA
Genre(s) Pop, R&B, dance-pop, CCM
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, plus-size model
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar
Voice type(s) Soprano
Years active 2007 — present
Label(s) Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
Associated acts Michael W. Smith, Garry Leach, Alice Cooper, Chris Brown, Jesse McCartney
Website www.jordinsparks.com

Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989)[1] is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter, clothing designer and plus-size model.[2] She rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol, which led to her reception of an American Music Award and Grammy nominations in 2008.

Contents

Early life

Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to a Caucasian-American woman Jodi Weidmann-Sparks and an African-American former NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks. She has a younger brother PJ (Phillippi Sparks, Jr) who also plays football. She lived briefly in Ridgewood, New Jersey and attended Orchard Elementary School. After living in New Jersey, Sparks attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona through the eighth grade. Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006, then she was homeschooled to better concentrate on her singing. A formally trained singer, she started taking lessons at age 14 from vocal coach Melissa Black. She rigorously trained with her coach for almost a year, in order to perfect her skill. Sparks is an evangelical Christian and attends Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona. On her "American Idol" biography, she thanks her parents and God for her win.[3] She wears a purity ring that symbolizes her desire to remain a virgin until marriage. She also appeared on the cover of World, an Evangelical Christian news magazine. She won an award for best young artist of the year in Arizona for three years.

Before Idol

Before appearing on Idol, Sparks participated in and won such talent competitions as Sprite Rising Star, GMA Academy, The Proof Is In The Pudding Contest, NBC/PAX America's Most Talented Kids, Colgate Country Showdown and the 2007 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search.

In 2006, Sparks was one of six winners who won the Phoenix Torrid search for the "Next Plus Size Model." She was flown to California, where she was used in a number of Torrid ads and promotional pieces.[2] A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine.

American Idol 2007

Main article: American Idol (season 6)

In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for American Idol once in Los Angeles, CA (only auditioned for producers) and again in Seattle, WA after winning KSAZ Fox 10's "Arizona Idol." The Seattle audition is the one seen in the January 27, 2007 broadcast of American Idol where she earned a "gold ticket" and the right to appear in the Hollywood Round. American Idol judge Randy Jackson made the offhand prediction that, "Curly hair will win this year,"[4] which he admitted wasn't Sparks. During the top eleven finalists' performance on the March 25, 2007 Idol episode, Sparks sang a rendition of the Shirley Bassey version "I (Who Have Nothing)"and judges Simon Cowell and Jackson said it was the best vocal performance by anyone since the show started.[5] While on the show, Sparks gained a loyal fan base known as "Sparkplugs" (even having their own official fan site). On May 23, 2007, Sparks was crowned the winner of the sixth season of American Idol having never been in the bottom three. Sparks was the fourth winner never to have been voted in the bottom three (after Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks)[6]; Cowell said "Jordin was the most improved over the whole season -- didn't start the best, but midway through this was the girl who suddenly got momentum," he included that "Young girl, likeable, and the singer won over the entertainer [Lewis]."[7]

Sparks twice performed on seventh season, once on the Idol Gives Back results show singing her duet with Chris Brown, "No Air" and again with "One Step at a Time" on May 21, 2008, for the finale of American Idol.

Performances and results

Week # Theme Song Choice Original Artist Order # Result
Audition N/A "Because You Loved Me" Celine Dion N/A Advanced
Hollywood N/A "Some Kind of Wonderful" Soul Brothers Six N/A Advanced
Top 24 (12 Women) N/A "Give Me One Reason" Tracy Chapman 6 Safe
Top 20 (10 Women) Dedication Week "Reflection" Christina Aguilera 6 Safe
Top 16 (8 Women) N/A "Heartbreaker" Pat Benatar 1 Safe
Top 12 Diana Ross "If We Hold On Together" Diana Ross 12 Safe
Top 11 British Invasion "I (Who Have Nothing)" Shirley Bassey 7 Safe
Top 10 No Doubt /Artists who inspire Gwen Stefani "Hey Baby" No Doubt 9 Safe
Top 9 American Classics "On a Clear Day" Tony Bennett 5 Safe
Top 8 Latin "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" Gloria Estefan 6 Safe
Top 7 Country "A Broken Wing" Martina McBride 2 Safe
Top 6 Inspirational "You'll Never Walk Alone" Rodgers and Hammerstein 6 Safe
Non-Elimination Week
Top 6 Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" Bon Jovi 2 Safe
Top 4 Barry Gibb "To Love Somebody"
"Woman in Love"		 Bee Gees
Barbra Streisand		 4
8		 Safe
Top 3 Judge's Choice (Simon Cowell)
Producers' Choice
Contestant's Choice		 "Wishing on a Star"
"She Works Hard for the Money"
"I (Who Have Nothing)"		 Rose Royce
Donna Summer
Shirley Bassey		 1
4
7		 Safe
Finale New Song
Previous Song
Coronation Song		 "Fighter"
"A Broken Wing"
"This Is My Now"		 Christina Aguilera
Martina McBride
Jordin Sparks		 2
4
6		 Winner


Semi-finals/Finals notes

Sparks was never in danger of elimination. Sparks is the fourth contestant to have won without ever being in the bottom 2 or 3, along with Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, and, most recently, David Cook. (Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard was in the bottom 2 once, and season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino landed there twice).[6]

After Idol

Sparks' songs from the American Idol have been on sale at the iTunes Store and the American Idol official website as Jordin Sparks (EP) (called a "bundle" on Idol official website) shortly after the finale of Idol, along with other songs that did not make the EP's cut that were being sold as individual singles. According to SoundScan figures posted in USA Today, Blake Lewis sold more digital singles than Sparks, but her mini album sold more than Lewis'.[8]

After the finale of Idol, Sparks has made several appearances on television shows. She performed the finale song, "This Is My Now"on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Early Show and The View. Sparks had also appeared on Total Request Live, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet with the runner-up of Idol, Blake Lewis, Larry King Live with contestants who made into the top ten of American Idol.[9][10] and 106 & Park. On July 4, 2007, Sparks performed "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful" on Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular with Lewis and Melinda Doolittle.[11][12]

Along with television and radio appearances,Sparks has been on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, Your Prom and World and featured in VIBE, TV Guide, Glamour and other publications.

Sparks took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 from July 6 to September 23, 2007, along with other contestants in the top ten. She revealed in an AOL interview that the concert will be more group collaborations and duets as well as bringing along her acoustic guitar.[13]

Post-Idol Career: 2007-present

Jordin Sparks Album

Main article: Jordin Sparks (album)
President George W. Bush congratulates singer Jordin Sparks after she sang the U.S. National Anthem Wednesday, February 20, 2008, during the welcome for President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush to the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Accra, Ghana, by Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater.

On August 17, 2007, it was announced Sparks had signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records/Zomba Label Group, becoming the first Idol winner to join the label group. David Archuleta (Season 7, runner up) also joined the label group last May 2008, making them the only two Idol contestants who signed a contract with them. All past Idol winners and runners-up have signed with the RCA Label Group’s J (Fantasia, Ruben Studdard), Arista (Taylor Hicks) or RCA (Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken, Katharine McPhee, and successor David Cook) labels, with the exception of Carrie Underwood who signed to Arista Nashville. Sparks has stated that she recorded some songs with Heath Thurman on drums for the album but the bulk of the recording would be done in Los Angeles after the tour is over.[14] She said the album would be "Top 40, radio-friendly, uplifting stuff" hopefully mixing "the pop rock sound of inaugural Idol Kelly Clarkson with the R&B edge of Beyonce".[15][13] Her debut album came out on November 20 and November 27, 2007.

Some critics felt Sparks' vocals were not suited for modern pop music while others thought the album's ubiquitous and age-appropriate American Idol material has helped Sparks to find a secure future.[16]

Singles from Jordin Sparks

Along with the label announcement, the first single was revealed to be "Tattoo", which was released to U.S. radio on August 27, 2007.[17] The song became the album's first top ten single. Later, on March 11, 2008, "Tattoo" was released on 'Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 27' as the sixth track on the album, along with 19 other chart-topping hits of early 2008.

After the release of "Tattoo", Sparks' official website ran a poll asking fans to vote for what her next single should be, the choices being "No Air", "Freeze", "One Step at a Time," or "Shy Boy". On February 3, 2008, it was announced that "No Air" had won the vote, and was being added to radio stations. The song became a hit before it was officially released as a single, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for four consecutive weeks. On June 3, 2008, "No Air" was released on 'Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 28' as the ninth track on the album, along with 19 other hits from 2008. She performed "No Air" with Chris Brown on the April 10, 2008 results show as part of Idol Gives Back.Sparks is the only Idol from outside Australia to top the ARIA Singles Chart with "No Air".

"One Step at a Time" is the third single from the album and was officially released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. [18]Sparks performed "One Step at a Time" at Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular for the second year in a row. The song has so far reached the top 17 on the Hot 100 and the top five on the Pop 100 charts. She has been on Good Morning America and Canadian Idol promoting "One Step At A Time". This is the beginning of her second promotion stretch for "One Step At A Time". With the success of Step, Jordin became the first and only American Idol contestant ever to have their first four singles all crack the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100

In 2007, Sparks was asked by a relative who works for SOS Children's Villages - USA in Florida to design a denim jacket festooned with Swarovski Crystal to support orphans. [19] She performed on New Years Eve Live on FOX alongside Blake Lewis.[20]

In February 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII[21] (the song was then made available on iTunes the next day) as well as performed for Diana Ross for the 30th Annual Kennedy Center Honors. She also performed "Tattoo" at the NBA Rookie game during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Opening for Alicia Keys

Sparks was the opening act for Alicia Keys on the U.S. leg of her As I Am tour. Before going on tour, she was to appear on the GMA Dove Awards as part of a tribute to Michael W. Smith as well as it was announced Sparks would team up with cosmetics company, Avon, to become a spokesperson for the teen-focused line Mark. [22]Before the tour even started, a potentially career-threatening throat injury forced Sparks to cancel a few weeks of shows. Officials said that she was suffering an acute vocal cord hemorrhage, and was ordered to strict vocal rest until the condition improved. If it had not improved, it may have required laser microsurgery. Her first concert originally was scheduled as an opener for Alicia Keys on Saturday, April 19, 2008.[23][24][25] She was back on the road with Alicia Keys by April 30. She remained on the tour until the last show on June 18.

In an interview with Perez Hilton, it was mentioned that Sparks will co-headline tour along with Jesse McCartney in August 2008[26] while she recently joined with the website DoSomething.org and Staples Inc. to resolve the problem with a national back-to-school supply drive. [27]

Jordin was appointed on August 12, 2008 by President George W. Bush to be a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for a two year term along with other celebrities such as Corinne Bailey Rae and Michael W. Smith, whom she has previously worked with. She is scheduled to appear and possibly perform on the 'America United: In Support Of Our Troops' special, scheduled to air on September 7, 2008 on ABC.[28]

2008 MTV Video Music Awards & American Music Awards

Sparks appeared at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2008 where she was nominated for 2 VMAs for Best Female Video and Best New Artist. She is the only American Idol winner to have 2 nominations after the release of one album. Britney Spears for "Piece Of Me"[29] actually took home the award that night for Best Female Video, while Tokio Hotel beat out Sparks for the Best New Artist award with "Ready, Set, Go!"[30]. While at the same VMAs, Sparks caused controversy by responding to a joke made by host Russell Brand during his opening monologue, when he held up a silver ring, claiming to have relieved one of the Jonas Brothers of his virginity,[31] saying he would "take them more seriously if they wore it (the ring) around their genitals."[32] Sparks took umbrage, responding at the start of her introduction of rapper T.I.: “I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It’s not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody -- guy or girl -- wants to be a slut."[32][33] In response to controversy over her "slut" remark, she told Entertainment Weekly that she doesn't regret the remark, commenting that "I wish I would've worded it differently -- that somebody who doesn't wear a promise ring isn't necessarily a slut -- but I can't take it back now."[34]

She has won a American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category. This was be her first nomination at the American Music Awards.[35] Jordin has teamed up with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line. The collection, appropriately named 'Sparks', will begin with an assortment of holiday dresses delivering to stores just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The collection will later include casual apparel and accessories. Each piece will reflect Jordin Sparks’ youthful and collected sense of style. The line is currently set to launch on November 19, 2008 and will come in sizes XS to XL. She also said "I'm gonna stick to the script this time" a reference to VMA incident.

Future

Sparks appeared on The Tyra Banks Show in early 2008, with Banks saying she wanted Sparks for the main role in a scripted television project she was working on. Later in 2008 on the radio show Johnjay & Rich, Sparks mentioned that she received an email from Tyra, which she expected to be news about the show, but was just a hello. She added that Tyra said she would contact her when the show came up.

Jordin states that she would love to break into acting. [36]

Timbaland said in an interview that Jordin will be one of the collaborations on his forthcoming album Shock Value 2, which is due out later this year.

Jordin will join Alicia Keys for a second time on an Australian leg of her As I Am Tour, which is scheduled to begin on December 6, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand at the Vector Arena.

Second Album

Sparks has not commented much on her second album. The anticipated album is expected to start production in late 2008 and be released in the middle of 2009. Sparks' second album is expected to have a higher profile and better production due to the great success of the album itself and its four singles. Sparks has confirmed though that her second album is in the works and is expected to be due early summer of 2009. [37] Jordin has also said herself that she plans on working with Jesse McCartney on her new album and start recording in January in a interview on the radio show "Johnjay & Rich" the morning after her appearance at the 2008 AMA Awards.

Jordin has stated that the album will be more R&B, hip hop, and dance influenced. She has stated that the sophomore album will sound more Rihanna type, with some Pop Rock, and Soul.

Discography

Main article: Jordin Sparks discography
Studio Albums
  • 2007: Jordin Sparks
  • 2009: TBA
EPs
  • 2003: For Now
  • 2007: Jordin Sparks (EP)

Tours

Accomplishments

Honors

Awards

Preceded by
Taylor Hicks		 American Idol winner
Jordin Sparks (2007)		 Succeeded by
David Cook

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Staten Island Advance "Contrary to popular belief, this 'American Idol' is not from Island" June 17, 2007
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Torrid Model Search winner". Archived from the original on 2007-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-10-01.
  3. ↑ WORLD Magazine | Today's News, Christian Views
  4. ↑ NYPost.com
  5. ↑ Barnes, Ken (March 25, 2007). ""Jordin - 'Nothing' Better"". USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Clay Aiken - Biography Also during Sparks' season of 'Idol', 3rd place contestant Melinda Doolittle didn't appear in the Bottom 3 until her elimination.
  7. ↑ Martindale, Stone (May 25, 2007). ""Jordin Sparks? Simon says Melinda should have won"". M&C. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.
  8. ↑ Barnes, Ken (July 18, 2007). ""Monitoring the 'Idol' Buzz: Who's Selling the Most Downloads?"". USA Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
  9. ↑ ""The Winner of American Idol!" (video)". The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet (May 25, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
  10. ↑ ""'American Idol' Finalists" (transcripts)". Larry King Live (May 25, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-22.
  11. ↑ Weinstein, Farrah (July 5, 2007). ""Starry, Starry Night"". New York Post. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
  12. ↑ ""TV's Top 5! Macy's Fireworks Spectacular - 'Idol' Top 3 Perform" (video)". AOL.com (July 4, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Jordin Sparks AIM Interview
  14. ↑ Graff, Gary (August 13, 2007). "Season Six Idol Stars Prepping Debut Albums". Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  15. ↑ Graff, Gary (July 2, 2007). "Idol Sparks Juggling Touring, Recording". Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  16. ↑ Jordin Sparks: Jordin Sparks (2007): Reviews
  17. ↑ Jordin Sparks signs with Jive Records group - Access Hollywood - MSNBC.com
  18. ↑ FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!
  19. ↑ Swarovski Crystal Partners with SOS Children's Villages - USA, denim jacket auction
  20. ↑ Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis to Perform on "New Years Eve Live" on FOX
  21. ↑ 'Idol' Jordin Sparks to sing anthem at Super Bowl XLII
  22. ↑ Avon signs Jordin Sparks for mark. fashion boutique brand
  23. ↑ WILL 'IDOL' EVER SING AGAIN?
  24. ↑ News - Articles
  25. ↑ Keys no 'It' girl in an arena - unless she's at the piano
  26. ↑ Perez TV
  27. ↑ http://www.jordin-online.com/index.php subaction=showcomments&id=1216474937&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&
  28. ↑ Personnel Announcement - Whitehouse.gov
  29. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/winners.jhtml 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Winners
  30. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/winners.jhtml 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Winners
  31. ↑ Jemima Lewis (2008-09-14). "Jonas Brothers vs Russell Brand", 'The Telegraph' (London). Retrieved on 2008-11-25. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Russell Brand apologises for Jonas Brothers gag", 'NOW' (2008-09-09). Retrieved on 2008-11-25. 
  33. ↑ ""Jordin Sparks: Not Everybody Wants To Be A Slut"" (2008-09-08).
  34. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (2008-09-09). ""Jordin Sparks doesn't regret promise ring remarks at VMAs"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2008-09-23.
  35. ↑ |url=http://www.popcrunch.com/2008-american-music-awards-nominees/|accessdate=2008-09-23 |date= October 15,2008 |publisher=PopCrunch |author=Castina}}
  36. ↑ [ http://www.kzzp.com/cc-common/podcast.html]
  37. ↑ [1]
  38. ↑ DrugFreeAZ.com

External links

Jordin Sparks
Studio albums
Jordin Sparks
EPs
For Now · Jordin Sparks
Singles
"This Is My Now" · "Tattoo" · "No Air" · "One Step at a Time" · " Freeze"
Tours
"American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007" · "As I Am Tour" · "Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour"
Related articles
Discography · American Idol (season 6)
American Idol season 6
Top 12 finalists
Jordin Sparks · Blake Lewis · Melinda Doolittle · LaKisha Jones · Chris Richardson · Phil Stacey · Sanjaya Malakar · Haley Scarnato · Gina Glocksen · Chris Sligh · Stephanie Edwards · Brandon Rogers
Other Sources
Finale · Tour
American Idol
Seasons
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8
Hosts
Ryan Seacrest · Brian Dunkleman
Judges
Randy Jackson · Paula Abdul · Simon Cowell · Kara DioGuardi
Winners
Kelly Clarkson · Ruben Studdard · Fantasia Barrino · Carrie Underwood · Taylor Hicks · Jordin Sparks · David Cook
Winner's Singles
"A Moment Like This" · "Flying Without Wings" · "I Believe" · "Inside Your Heaven" · "Do I Make You Proud" · "This Is My Now" · "The Time of My Life"
Runners-up
Justin Guarini · Clay Aiken · Diana DeGarmo · Bo Bice · Katharine McPhee · Blake Lewis · David Archuleta
Other alumni
Tamyra Gray · Kimberley Locke · Josh Gracin · Jennifer Hudson · William Hung · Elliott Yamin · Chris Daughtry · Kellie Pickler
Spin-offs
From Justin to Kelly · Juniors · Christmas · Extra · Rewind
Other
Underground · Compilation Series · Controversies · Discography · Episodes · Idol series · Magazine · Top-Selling Alumni · Video game
Persondata
NAME Sparks, Jordin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Sparks, Jordin Brianna
SHORT DESCRIPTION American singer, winner of 2007 American Idol
DATE OF BIRTH December 22, 1989
PLACE OF BIRTH Phoenix, Arizona
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH