Biography
Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989)[1] is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter and plus-size model[2]. On May 23, 2007, she was declared the winner of the sixth season of American Idol.
[edit] Early life
Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann and 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. She is of African American and Caucasian descent, and stands 5'11/6'0" tall.[3]
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.[4] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] American Idol 2007
Main article: American Idol (season 6)
In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for American Idol once in Phoenix (only auditioned for producers)and again in Seattle 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,"[5] 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.[6] 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)[7]; 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]."[8]
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.
[edit] Controversy
At the 2008 VMAs, Jordin Sparks reacted to the comments made by host Russell Brand regarding the Jonas Brothers' purity rings. While presenting an award, Sparks outraged and offended many audience members and viewers by saying, "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 ****."
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
[edit] 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).[7]
[edit] 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 are 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'.[9]
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.[10][11] 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.[12][13]
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.[14]
[edit] Post-Idol Career
[edit] 2007-present: Jordin Sparks
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 runner-ups 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.[15] 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".[16][14] Her debut album came out on November 20 and November 27, 2007.
The album came out to generally favorable reviews. Some critics felt Sparks' vocals were not suited for modern pop music while others thought the album's atypical American Idol material helped Sparks to find a secure future.[17]
Along with the label announcement, the first single was revealed to be "Tattoo", which was released to U.S. radio on August 27, 2007.[18] 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. [19]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 20 on the Hot 100 and the top ten on the Pop 100 charts. She was on Good Morning America promoting "One Step At A Time" on August 20, 2008, performing on their concert series. This is the beginning of her second promotion stretch for "One Step At A Time" as well as Canadian Idol.
In 2007, Sparks was asked by a relative who works for SOS Children's Villages - USA in Florida to design a Swarovski Crystal jean jacket to support orphans. [20] She performed on New Years Eve Live on FOX alongside Blake Lewis.[21]
In February 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII[22] (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.
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. [23]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.[24][25][26] 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[27] while she recently joined with the website DoSomething.org and Staples Inc. to resolve the problem with a national back-to-school supply drive. [28]
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 stars 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.[29]
Sparks appeared at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2008 where she was nominated for 2VMAs 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.[citation needed] During her appearance at the VMA, Sparks responded to a joke made by host Russell Brand by saying, “I just wanna say, it’s not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and girl wants to be a ****, OK?”[30] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sparks later said "I wish I would've worded it differently -- that somebody who doesn't wear a promise ring isn't necessarily a **** -- but I can't take it back now. It was a split-second thing, and it came out kind of wrong. Still, I don't regret it." [31]
[edit] 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.[32]
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.
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.[33]
Jordin Sparks will be releasing Permanent Monday to radio stations in October, the exact date is marked as "TBA". [34]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Jordin Sparks discography
Studio Albums
2007: Jordin Sparks
EPs
2003: For Now
2007: Jordin Sparks (EP)
[edit] Tours
2007: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
2008: As I Am Tour (Supporting Act)
2008: Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour
[edit] Accomplishments
[edit] Honors
Sprite Rising Star 2002
Family Night Talent Show Five-time 1st Place Finals Winner at Mr. Lucky's in Glendale, Arizona, 2003
Glendale Youth Fest 2003: Teen Talent Show, 1st Place
GMA (Gospel Music Association) Academy, Washington, D.C., Overall Spotlight Winner & Country/Southern Gospel First Place Winner, 2004
Country Thunder Young Guns Second Place Winner, 2004
The Proof Is In The Pudding Talent Winner, Phoenix, Arizona, 2004
NBC/PAX America's Most Talented Kids, 2005
Colgate Country Showdown, Arizona state title, 2006.
Runner-up in the 2007 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search, Tempe, Arizona[35]
Plus-size model search winner for Torrid[2]
Winner of KSAZ Fox 10's "Arizona Idol" contest, giving her a guaranteed chance to audition in front of the judges.
American Idol Winner, May 2007
Spokesperson for Mark. by Avon
Two RIAA Platinum certified singles ("Tattoo" and "No Air").
Appointed by President George W. Bush to be a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for a two year term on August 12, 2008.
Only American Idol winner to receive two VMA nominations after releasing just one album.
Only American Idol winner to have two top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from a debut album.
Youngest person to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.
First & only American Idol winner to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.
The fourth American Idol winner to never be in the bottom two or three. [Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks]
First and only American Idol contestant/winner to have her first 4 singles a Top 20 Hit.
Highest Selling Song by any American Idol contestant/winner
[edit] Awards
Year Award/Nomination
2007 Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Female Reality/Variety Star
2008 NAACP Image Awards Won for Best New Artist
BET Awards nomination for Viewer's Choice Award for "No Air"(shared with Chris Brown)
BET Pre-Show Awards Won for Heart Break Video for "No Air"(shared with Chris Brown)
BET Awards Won for CoverGirl & Olay Beautiful Face award
Teen Choice Awards Won for Choice Music: Hook-Up for "No Air"(shared with Chris Brown)
Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Music: Love Song for "No Air"(shared with Chris Brown)
Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Music: Breakout Artist
MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Female Video for "No Air"
MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best New Artist
Preceded by
Taylor Hicks American Idol winner
Jordin Sparks (2007) Succeeded by
David Cook
