Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989)[1] is an American pop/R&B singer, songwriter, humanitarian, and actress from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner. She followed her American Idol victory with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2007, which has gone platinum and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Sparks' second single, "No Air", which features Chris Brown, is the song with the most paid downloads by any American Idol contestant, selling about 4 million digital copies worldwide.[2] Due to the success of her debut album and its four top 20 singles, she has won an American Music Award in 2008 and received her first Grammy nomination in 2009.
Sparks' second album Battlefield was released in July 2009 worldwide and debuted at #7 in the US, three spots higher than her first album. The album's lead single, also titled "Battlefield", peaked in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold more than a million copies thus far. Sparks has sold about 9 million singles worldwide to date. Sparks' first five singles all peaked in the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, three of them peaking in the top 10. Battlefield's second single, "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", was her first song to top the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play making it her first U.S. number one single.[3]Contents [hide] 1 Biography 2 American Idol 2.1 Performances/results 3 Post-Idol 4 Music career 4.1 2007–2008: Jordin Sparks 4.2 2009–present: Battlefield 5 Other ventures 5.1 Clothing line 5.2 Acting 5.3 Broadway 5.4 Fragrance 6 Charitable work 7 Discography 8 Tours 9 Accomplishments 9.1 Honors 9.2 Billboard Year End Charts 2008 9.3 Awards and nominations 10 Filmography 11 References 12 External links
[edit] Biography
Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann Sparks and former NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks. She has a younger brother, Phillippi "PJ" Sparks, Jr., who plays football. She grew up in the suburb of Ridgewood, New Jersey while her father played for the New York Giants. After living in New Jersey, Sparks attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix through the eighth grade. Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006, when she was homeschooled to better concentrate on her singing.[4] Sparks is an evangelical Christian and attends Calvary Community Church in Phoenix. On her American Idol biography, she thanks her parents and God for her win.[5] She wears a purity ring that symbolizes her desire to remain a virgin until marriage. She won an award for best young artist of the year in Arizona for three years.
Before appearing on American Idol, Sparks participated in and won such talent competitions as Coca-Cola's Rising Star, the Gospel Music Association Academy's Overall Spotlight Award, America's Most Talented Kids, Colgate Country Showdown, and the 2006 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search. Prior to Idol, Sparks frequently performed the national anthem at various local sporting events, notably for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Sparks also appeared with Alice Cooper in his 2004 Christmas show and toured with Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith in 2006. 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.[6] A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine. [edit] American Idol
In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for the sixth season of American Idol: once in Los Angeles, California (only auditioned for producers) and again in Seattle, Washington after winning KSAZ Fox 10's Arizona Idol. The Seattle audition is the one seen in the January 17, 2007 broadcast of American Idol, in which 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."[7] While on the show, Sparks gained a loyal fan base known as "Sparkplugs". On May 23, 2007, Sparks was crowned the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. She remains the youngest winner in American Idol history. 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 the seventh season of American Idol, once on the Idol Gives Back results show singing "No Air", her duet with Chris Brown, and again with "One Step at a Time" on May 21, 2008 for the finale. She performed "Battlefield" on the May 13, 2009 episode of American Idol.[show] Performances/results
[edit] Post-Idol
Sparks performing at the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007.
Sparks' songs from American Idol have been on sale at the iTunes Store and the American Idol official website as Jordin Sparks (EP) 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'.[9]
After the finale of Idol, Sparks made several appearances on television shows. She performed the finale song, "This Is My Now", on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, The Today Show, The Early Show, and The View. Sparks also made appearances on The Tonight Show, The Ellen Show, Larry King Live, Total Request Live, 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.[10][11]
Along with television and radio appearances, Sparks has been on the cover of Entertainment Weekly 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. [edit] Music career [edit] 2007–2008: Jordin Sparks Main article: Jordin Sparks (album)
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. Her debut album came out on November 20 and November 27, 2007. Along with the label announcement, the first single was revealed to be "Tattoo", which was released to U.S. radio on August 27, 2007.[12] The song became the album's first top ten single. On February 3, 2008, it was announced that "No Air" would become Sparks' second single. 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. 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". The song topped the 3 million mark in paid downloads on the week of October 11, 2009. It's the first song by an American Idol alum to do so. It's also Brown's first song to hit the 3 million mark.[13] On February 3, 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII.[14] She had also previously performed at Game 1 of the 2007 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.[15] Sparks performed at the NBA Rookie game during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2008, as well. She performed in a tribute to Aretha at the NAACP Awards. She had previously performed in a tribute to Diana Ross in December 2007. In April 2008, it was announced that Sparks would team up with cosmetics company, Avon, to become a spokesperson for the teen-focused line Mark.
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. Before the tour kick off, 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 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.[16] She was back on the road with Alicia Keys by April 30. She remained on the tour until the last show on June 18. Sparks joined Keys for an Australian leg of the tour in December 2008. The Australian leg of the tour began on December 6, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand and ended December 20, 2008 in Perth, Australia. "One Step at a Time" was the third single from the album and was officially released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. The song peaked in the Top 20 on the Hot 100 and the Top 5 on the Pop 100 chart. She has been on Regis and Kelly, So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, and Canadian Idol promoting "One Step at a Time". With the success of "One Step at a Time", Sparks 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 August 2008, Sparks co-headlined a tour with Jesse McCartney. Sparks 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, with whom she has previously worked.
Sparks appeared at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2008 where she was nominated for 2 VMAs: Best Female Video and Best New Artist. She is the second American Idol winner to have 2 or more nominations after the release of one album. While at the awards show, Sparks caused controversy by responding to a joke made by host Russell Brand during his opening monologue, in which he held up a silver ring, claiming to have relieved one of the Jonas Brothers of their virginity,[17] saying he would "take them more seriously if they wore it (the ring) around their genitals". 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." 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."[18] In November 2008, Sparks won an American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category. This was her first nomination at the American Music Awards.[19] [edit] 2009–present: Battlefield Main article: Battlefield (album)
Sparks performing "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball, Jan. 20, 2009.
On January 20, 2009, Sparks joined several A-List singers performing at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball which was hosted by President Barack Obama[20] where she performed a new song entitled 'Faith' written by herself. The song was selected as the 11th track on her Battlefield album. On February 15, 2009, Sparks sang the National Anthem at the NBA All Star Game and at an MLB Spring Training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox on March 1, 2009.
"Battlefield", the lead single from Sparks' second studio album, was written and produced by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/producer Ryan Tedder. Jordin performed the song during the American Idol Top 3 results show on May 13, 2009.[21] Following her performance, the song was sent for radio adds on May 25. The song peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. With this success, the song became Sparks' fifth consecutive top 20 hit and third nonconsecutive top 10 hit. On May 24, Sparks headed to Europe to begin promotion for the single.[22][23] On May 19, 2009, Jordin announced the title of her second record would be Battlefield. The album was released on July 21, 2009.[24] It was announced that Sparks would serve as the opening act for the North American leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 on March 11, 2009.[25]
Guy Sebastian & Sparks performing "Art Of Love" during her Battlefield Tour
The tour included a concert in Monterrey, Mexico. On August 14, 2009, it was announced that Sparks would replace Ciara on "The Circus Starring Britney Spears" tour as a special guest on the second North American leg. Sparks performed on the second North American leg of the tour for most shows.[26] On October 23, Australian soul/R&B artist Guy Sebastian released a new single entitled "Art of Love" which guest featured Sparks.[27][28] Sebastian and Sparks filmed the official music video in Los Angeles on November 3, 2009.[29] "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" is the third single released from the album, only being released in the UK digitally, January 8, 2010.
To support the 2010 DVD/Blu-Ray re-release of the Disney animated favorite, Beauty and the Beast, Sparks recorded her cover version of the theme song "Beauty and the Beast" and filmed an accompanying music video with director Philip Andelman.[30] In July 2010, Sparks completed her first ever headlining tour, the Battlefield Tour, in support of her second studio album of the same name. The tour ran from late May to July 18 and stopped in over 35 major cities in the United States. In October 2010, Sparks herself revealed in an interview that she had begun work on her third studio album.[31][32] [edit] Other ventures [edit] Clothing line
In November 2008, Sparks teamed up with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line. The collection, appropriately named 'Sparks', began with an assortment of holiday dresses delivering to stores just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The line launched on November 19, 2008 and comes in sizes XS to XL. Sparks said, "I am so excited that Wet Seal and I have been able to create a line of clothing that will appeal to more girls than ever before."[33] [edit] Acting
In 2009, she made her acting debut on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck, guest starring as herself in the "Crossing Jordin" episode. The episode guest starring Sparks aired on October 23, 2009.[34][35] Sparks also guest starred on the hit Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush. The episode aired on June 18, 2010.[36] [edit] Broadway
On May 3, 2010, it was announced that Sparks will join the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "In the Heights" as Nina Rosario. Jordin will play a limited 12-week engagement at the Richard Rodgers Theatre from August 19 through November 14.[37] [edit] Fragrance
In October 2010, Sparks released her debut fragrance "Because of You." This fragnace is currently being exclusively distributed at Dots, but by November will spread to other retail stores. The perfume is described as a "fruity floriental perfume" consisting of notes of "clementine, white imperial currant and orange blossom; a heart of nectarine, sharry baby orchid and coral charm peony; and a drydown of sheer musks, vanilla bean, Baltic amber and blond woods." Sparks wanted this product to be affordable for her fans, yet still high end. "When I was starting this project, I really wanted it to be affordable. I looked at some other celebrity fragrances, and they were like $80. Even now, I look at a fragrance that's $80, and I can't bring myself to spend that much."[38] [edit] Charitable work
Former US President George W. Bush congratulates Sparks after she sang the U.S. National Anthem during the welcome for President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush to the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Ghana
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.[39] In February 2008, Sparks traveled to Ghana. She was part of the delegation of former U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush to help with Malaria No More, an organization with a goal to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Sparks joined Mrs. Bush at the Maamobi Polyclinic, where the First Lady donated a number of treated bed nets to some local female traders in order to help combat the scourge of malaria in Ghana. While there, Sparks sang "Amazing Grace" to the durbar of chiefs who had gathered at the venue to give audience to Laura Bush. Sparks said, "Traveling to Ghana with Malaria No More gives me the incredible opportunity to see for myself what a difference a simple mosquito net can make in the life of a child."[40]
On May 20, 2009, Sparks became an endorser for the Got Milk? campaign, an American advertising campaign encouraging the consumption of cow's milk.[41][42] On September 17, 2009, Sparks took part in the VH1 Divas special, a concert created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation[43] The concert was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York where Sparks performed the second single from her Battlefield album, S.O.S. (Let the Music Play), as well as "A Broken Wing" with Martina McBride. In February 2010, Sparks was one of the many artists who contributed to "We Are the World 25 for Haiti", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[44] Sparks teamed up with Pennyroyal Silver creator and designer, Tim Foster to create her very own necklace design for the company's signature collection. Proceeds of the necklace funded medical units in Haiti.[45]
On February 3, 2010, Sparks and David Archuleta performed at the "X the TXT" event, held at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. All proceeds raised by the event went to a number of charities, including the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The following day both Sparks and Archuleta delivered teddy bears to children at the hospital.[46] In June 2010, the "Thumbs Up to X the TXT" pledge campaign, established by "The Allstate Corporation", made it's way to Sparks' Battlefield Tour, presented by Mike & Ike to encourage teens and their families not to text while driving. Fans at Sparks' concerts made a pledge not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint to a traveling banner at each of her shows. The campaign began at Sparks' Battlefield Tour on June 3, 2010 and ended on July 18, 2010.[47] Sparks is the main spokesperson for the "I’m M.A.D., Are You?" campaign. She also supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps to raise money for children with cancer.[48] Sparks traveled to Louisiana in June 2010 to visit the Gulf Coast oil spill with the Audubon Society to view the effects of the oil spill on the wildlife and marshes.[49] [edit] Discography Main article: Jordin Sparks discographyStudio albums 2007: Jordin Sparks 2009: Battlefield EPs 2007: Jordin Sparks (EP)
[edit] Tours
Headlining 2010: Battlefield Tour Joint tours 2007: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 2008: Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour Opening act 2008: As I Am Tour 2009: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears
[edit] Accomplishments[show] Honors [show] Billboard Year End Charts 2008
[edit] Awards and nominationsYear Award Category Result 2007 Teen Choice Awards Choice Female Reality/Variety Star Nominated 2008 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding New Artist Won BET Awards Viewers Choice Award for "No Air" Nominated Heartbreak Video for "No Air" Won CoverGirl & Olay Beautiful Face Award Won Teen Choice Awards Breakout Star Nominated Hook-Up for "No Air" Won Love Song for "No Air" Nominated MTV Video Music Awards Best Female Video Nominated Best New Artist Nominated American Music Awards Best Adult Contemporary Artist Won 2009 People's Choice Awards Best Pop Song for "No Air" Nominated Best Combined Forces Song for "No Air" Won Grammy Awards Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "No Air" Nominated NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Duo, Group, or Collaboration with Chris Brown Nominated MTV Australia Awards Best Collaboration for "No Air" Nominated 2010 ARIA Music Awards Most Popular Australian Single ("Art of Love") (with Guy Sebastian)[50] Pending
[edit] FilmographyYear Title Role Notes 2009 "The Suite Life On Deck" Herself Episode: "Crossing Jordin" 2010 "BrainSurge" Herself "Big Time Rush" Herself Episode: "Big Time Sparks
