Jordin Sparks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jordin Sparks
Sparks in 2022
Background information
Born	(1989-12-22) December 22, 1989 (age 35) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop soul hip hop dance
Occupations	Singer actress
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Venice Music Sony Louder than Life 19 Jive

Jordin Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American singer and actress. She became famous in 2007 after winning the sixth season of American Idol. She was only 17 years old, making her the youngest winner ever. Her first album, Jordin Sparks (2007), was a big hit. It reached number ten on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold over two million copies worldwide. It featured popular songs like "Tattoo" and "No Air" (with Chris Brown). "No Air" was even nominated for a Grammy Award!

Jordin's second album, Battlefield (2009), also did very well. Its main song, "Battlefield", reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. This made Jordin the only American Idol contestant to have her first five songs reach the top 20. After a break from music, she released a mixtape called #ByeFelicia (2014). Her third album, Right Here Right Now, came out in 2015. She has continued to release music, with her fourth album Cider & Hennessy in 2020 and No Restrictions in 2024.

Throughout her career, Jordin has won many awards. These include an NAACP Image Award and two Teen Choice Awards. She has sold millions of albums and songs in the United States. This makes her one of the most successful American Idol contestants. Besides singing, Jordin has also become an actress. She performed on Broadway in In The Heights (2010). She also starred in the movie Sparkle (2012). Jordin has even created her own perfumes!

Early Life and Beginnings

Growing Up in Arizona

Jordin Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Her mom is Jodi Wiedmann Sparks and her dad is Phillippi Sparks, a former professional American football player. Jordin has a younger brother named Phillippi "PJ" Sparks Jr. Her family lived in Ridgewood, New Jersey, for a while when her dad played for the New York Giants.

Jordin went to Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix. Later, she attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School. In 2006, her grandmother, Pam Wiedmann, homeschooled her. This helped Jordin focus more on her singing career. Jordin is a Christian and goes to Calvary Community Church in Phoenix. She won an award for best young artist in Arizona three years in a row.

Before American Idol

Before she became famous on American Idol, Jordin won other talent shows. These included Coca-Cola's Rising Star and America's Most Talented Kids. Her grandmother managed her career from when Jordin was nine until she won American Idol. Jordin often sang the national anthem at local sports events. She performed for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Jordin also appeared with Alice Cooper in his 2004 Christmas show. She toured with Christian singer Michael W. Smith in 2006. In 2006, Jordin was chosen as one of six winners in a search for the "Next Plus Size Model" for the clothing store Torrid. She was featured in their ads and in Seventeen magazine.

Becoming an American Idol Star

Auditions and Winning Season 6

Sparks in the American Idol Experience parade at Walt Disney World in 2009

In the summer of 2006, when she was 16, Jordin tried out for the sixth season of American Idol twice. Her first audition in Los Angeles didn't go well. But she tried again in Seattle after winning a local competition called Arizona Idol. This Seattle audition is the one shown on TV. She earned a "gold ticket" to the Hollywood Round.

During the show, Jordin gained many fans who called themselves "Sparkplugs." On May 23, 2007, Jordin won the sixth season of American Idol. She was 17, making her the youngest winner in the show's history. Judge Simon Cowell said Jordin improved the most during the season. He noted that she was "young, likeable," and her singing helped her win.

First Songs and Tours

After her win, Jordin released an EP (a short album) called Jordin Sparks on May 22, 2007. It included songs she sang on American Idol, like "This Is My Now". This song became her first top-fifteen hit. That summer, Jordin went on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 with the other top ten contestants.

Jordin has returned to American Idol many times since her win. She performed "No Air" with Chris Brown and "One Step at a Time" in 2008. She also sang "Battlefield" in 2009. In 2010, she was part of a tribute to judge Simon Cowell. She performed her song "I Am Woman" in 2011.

Performances on American Idol

• When Ryan Seacrest announced the results, Jordin was safe and in the top three.
• Because of the Idol Gives Back show, the Top 6 contestants stayed for another week.

Music Career Highlights

Debut Album: Jordin Sparks (2007)

Sparks in Badgley Mischka

After winning American Idol, Jordin signed with 19 Recordings/Jive Records. Her first song, "Tattoo", came out on August 27, 2007. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. This song sold over two million copies in the U.S.

Jordin's first album, Jordin Sparks, was released on November 20, 2007. It reached number ten on the Billboard 200. The album sold over a million copies in the U.S. and was certified platinum. "No Air", a duet with Chris Brown, was the second song from the album. It became Jordin's highest-charting song, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. "No Air" sold over three million copies in the U.S. and was a number one hit in Australia and New Zealand.

In February 2008, Jordin sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII. She also performed at the NAACP Awards to honor Aretha Franklin. Jordin opened for Alicia Keys on her tour in 2008. Before the tour, Jordin had a throat injury and had to rest her voice. But she recovered and rejoined the tour.

The album's third song, "One Step at a Time", came out in June 2008. It reached number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100. This made Jordin the only American Idol contestant to have her first four songs reach the top twenty. In August 2008, Jordin toured with Jesse McCartney on the Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour. Jordin was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards in 2008. She won the Favorite Artist award in the Adult Contemporary Category at the American Music Awards.

Second Album: Battlefield (2009)

Sparks performing "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Neighborhood Ball at the First inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009

On January 20, 2009, Jordin sang "Faith" at the Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama. Her second album, Battlefield, was released on July 21, 2009. The main song, "Battlefield", reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. It also did very well in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The album itself debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200.

Jordin opened for The Jonas Brothers on their tour in 2009. She also opened for Britney Spears on her Circus Tour. "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" was the second song from Battlefield. It became Jordin's first number one hit on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Jordin also sang "Art of Love" with Australian artist Guy Sebastian. This song was a top ten hit in Australia and New Zealand.

In May 2010, Jordin went on her first headlining tour, the Battlefield Tour. It stopped in over 35 cities. She also recorded a cover of the song "Beauty and the Beast" for the Disney film's re-release.

New Music and Film Roles (2010-2017)

In 2010, Jordin was featured on the Big Time Rush song "Count on You". She also appeared on their TV show. Jordin started working on her third album in 2010. She recorded a music video for "The World I Knew" for the film African Cats in 2011. She also released a song called "I Am Woman".

Jordin made her movie debut in Sparkle (2012). This film was a remake of a 1976 movie. Jordin played Sparkle Williams, a young music talent. The movie also starred Whitney Houston. They recorded a song together called "Celebrate". Jordin also starred in another film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013).

After some delays with her music label, Jordin signed with a new label, Louder Than Life, in 2014. She released her mixtape #ByeFelicia in November 2014. Her third album, Right Here Right Now, came out in August 2015. The first song from the album was "Double Tap" featuring 2Chainz.

Recent Projects and Family Life

Reality Shows and New Music (2018-Present)

Jordin Sparks in 2017

In 2018, Jordin announced she was working on her fourth album. She said her new marriage and son were her inspiration. Jordin and her husband Dana started filming a reality show in 2018. It was called Jordin Sparks: A Baby Story. In 2019, Jordin released an EP called 1990 Forever with singer Elijah Blake. She also performed on Broadway in the musical Waitress.

After a break, Jordin released new songs in 2020: "Unknown" and "Red Sangria". In 2021, she competed on The Masked Dancer as "Exotic Bird." In 2022, Jordin was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with Brandon Armstrong. In October 2020, Jordin was featured on the song "Pink" with Dolly Parton and others. This song helped raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

In October 2023, Jordin announced her new song "Call My Name." It reached #18 on iTunes R&B/Soul: USA. She also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a game of the 2023 World Series. Jordin released her fifth album, No Restrictions, on September 13, 2024.

Personal Life and Family

On July 17, 2017, Jordin married Dana Isaiah, a fitness model, in Hawaii. In November 2017, it was announced she was expecting a baby. On May 2, 2018, Jordin gave birth to their son. Jordin previously dated Jason Derulo for three years, ending their relationship in 2014.

In April 2008, Jordin had a vocal cord injury from overusing her voice. Doctors told her to rest her voice, which made her cancel some shows. She recovered about a month later.

Other Activities

Endorsements and Fragrances

In April 2008, Jordin became a spokesperson for Mark, a teen makeup line by Avon. In November 2008, she worked with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line called 'Sparks'. Jordin wanted her clothing line to be available to many girls.

In October 2010, Jordin released her first perfume, Because of You.... She wanted it to be affordable for her fans. In March 2012, she released her second perfume, Fascinate. Her third perfume, Ambition, came out in October 2012. Jordin said the name "Ambition" fit where she was in her life.

Acting and Broadway Roles

Jordin made her acting debut in 2009 on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck. She played herself in an episode. She also appeared on the Nickelodeon show Big Time Rush in 2010.

On May 3, 2010, Jordin joined the cast of the Broadway musical In the Heights. She played the role of Nina Rosario for 12 weeks. Jordin also did a voice-over for the show Team Umizoomi as the Blue Mermaid.

After her movie Sparkle in 2012, Jordin continued acting. She was in the indie drama The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013). She also played Nicole Lovely in the film The Grace of Jake. In 2013, Jordin starred as Abby in Dear Secret Santa, a Christmas movie. She also guest-starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Alison Stone. Jordin played Shasta Carvell in Left Behind, an action science fiction thriller film.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

US President George W. Bush congratulates Sparks after she sang the U.S. national anthem during the welcome for President Bush and Laura Bush to the Ambassador's Residence in Ghana

In 2007, Jordin designed a denim jacket to help orphans for SOS Children's Villages. In February 2008, Jordin traveled to Ghana with George and Laura Bush. She helped with Malaria No More, an organization working to end malaria deaths in Africa. Jordin sang "Amazing Grace" there. She said it was amazing to see how a simple mosquito net could help a child.

In 2008, Jordin supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign. This project collected school supplies for students. She also helped at a volunteer event. In May 2009, Jordin supported the Got Milk? campaign. On September 17, she took part in the VH1 Divas concert to support the Save The Music Foundation. In February 2010, Jordin helped record "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. She also designed a necklace to help fund medical units in Haiti.

Jordin was named the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador" in 2011 and 2012. She hosted surprise concerts to raise awareness. Jordin also supports Little Kids Rock, a group that helps bring music education to schools.

I'm M.A.D. Are You? Campaign

Jordin and her younger brother P.J. started the "I'm M.A.D. Are You?" campaign in 2008. M.A.D. stands for Making A Difference. This campaign encourages teens and young adults to volunteer and help their communities. In February 2010, Jordin and David Archuleta performed at the "Jordin Sparks Experience" in Miami. The money raised went to charities like the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation.

Since 2008, Jordin and her campaign have hosted events at the Super Bowl to raise money for charities. In 2010, Jordin supported the "Thumbs Up to X the TXT" campaign by Allstate. This campaign encouraged teens not to text while driving. Jordin is the main spokesperson for "I'm M.A.D., Are You?". She also supports Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps children with cancer. Jordin visited the Gulf Coast oil spill in 2010 to see its effects on wildlife. The campaign has raised over $500,000 since 2008.

Discography

Studio albums

• Jordin Sparks (2007)
• Battlefield (2009)
• Right Here Right Now (2015)
• Cider & Hennessy (2020)
• No Restrictions (2024)

Tours

Headlining Tours

• 2010: Battlefield Tour
• 2024: No Restrictions: Live & Intimate

Joint Tours

• 2007: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
• 2008: Jesse & Jordin Live

Opening Act Tours

• 2008: As I Am Tour
• 2009: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
• 2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears
• 2011: NKOTBSB Tour

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Broadway Roles

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Sparks performing at the USO Show at Camp Buehring in 2011

See also

In Spanish: Jordin Sparks para niños

• List of Idols winners