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
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 17 years old, making her the youngest winner ever on the show.

Her first album, Jordin Sparks (2007), was very popular. It reached number ten on the Billboard 200 music chart. The album sold over two million copies around the world. It included hit songs like "Tattoo" and "No Air" (with Chris Brown). "No Air" was even nominated for a Grammy Award. It is one of the best-selling songs by an American Idol contestant.

Jordin's second album, Battlefield (2009), reached number seven on the Billboard 200. The song "Battlefield" was a top ten hit. Jordin Sparks is the only American Idol contestant to have her first five songs reach the top 20 on the charts. After a break from music, she released a mixtape called #ByeFelicia (2014). Her third album, Right Here Right Now, came out in 2015. Her fourth album, Cider & Hennessy, was released in 2020. Her fifth album, No Restrictions, followed in 2024.

Jordin has won many awards, including an NAACP Image Award and an American Music Award. 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 acted in TV shows and on Broadway. She performed in the musical In The Heights (2010). She also starred in the movie Sparkle (2012). Jordin has also created her own perfumes.

Early Life and Beginnings

Jordin Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Her mother is Jodi Wiedmann Sparks, and her father is Phillippi Sparks, a former professional American football player. Jordin has a younger brother, Phillippi "PJ" Sparks Jr. Her father is African-American, and her mother has European family roots.

Jordin grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, while her father played for the New York Giants. Later, she attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix. She went to Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006. Then, her grandmother, Pam Wiedmann, homeschooled her so she could focus on singing. Jordin is a Christian and thanked her family and God for her American Idol win. She won an award for best young artist in Arizona three years in a row.

Becoming an American Idol

Early Career and Auditions

Before American Idol, Jordin Sparks won many talent shows. These included Coca-Cola's Rising Star and America's Most Talented Kids. Her grandmother managed her career from age nine until she won American Idol. Jordin often sang the national anthem at sports events for teams like the Phoenix Suns. She also performed with Alice Cooper and toured with Christian singer Michael W. Smith. In 2006, Jordin was chosen as one of six winners in a search for the "Next Plus Size Model" for the clothing store Torrid.

Jordin 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. She didn't make it past the first round in Los Angeles. But she tried again in Seattle after winning a local competition called Arizona Idol. This Seattle audition was shown on TV, and she got a "gold ticket" to Hollywood. Judge Randy Jackson even predicted that "Curly hair will win this year." During the show, Jordin's fans were known as "Sparkplugs."

On May 23, 2007, Jordin won American Idol at age 17. She is still the youngest winner in the show's history. Judge Simon Cowell said Jordin improved the most throughout the season. He noted that she was "young, likable, and the singer won over the entertainer."

Idol Performances and Success

Four songs Jordin sang on American Idol, including the winning song "This Is My Now", were released on her first album, Jordin Sparks, on May 22, 2007. "This Is My Now" became a top fifteen hit. After her win, Jordin joined the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 with the other top ten contestants.

Jordin has returned to 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 Simon Cowell. She performed her song "I Am Woman" in 2011. Jordin was the last female winner for five years until the twelfth season.

Performances and Results on American Idol

• When Ryan Seacrest announced the results, Jordin was declared safe in the top three.
• The Top 6 stayed for another week because of the Idol Gives Back performance.

Music Career and Albums

Debut Album and Hit Songs

Jordin Sparks in Badgley Mischka

After winning American Idol, Jordin Sparks signed with 19 Recordings/Jive Records. She was the first Idol winner to join this label. On August 27, 2007, she released her first song, "Tattoo". It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song sold over two million copies in the U.S.

Jordin's first album, Jordin Sparks, came out on November 20, 2007. It reached number ten on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has sold over a million copies in the U.S. "No Air", a song with Chris Brown, was released as the second single in February 2008. This song became Jordin's highest-charting single, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold over three million copies in the U.S. "No Air" also reached number one in Australia and New Zealand.

On February 3, 2008, Jordin sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII. She also performed at the NAACP Awards in a tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Jordin opened for Alicia Keys on her tour in 2008. Before the tour, Jordin had a throat injury and had to cancel some shows. She was told to rest her voice. Jordin was back on tour by April 30, 2008.

The album's third song, "One Step at a Time", was released 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 for "No Air". She also won Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category at the American Music Awards.

Second Album: Battlefield

Jordin Sparks performing "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Neighborhood Ball for President Barack Obama in 2009

On January 20, 2009, Jordin performed at the Commander-in-Chief's 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. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200.

Jordin opened for The Jonas Brothers on their 2009 tour. She also opened for Britney Spears on her Circus Tour.

"S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" was the second song from Battlefield, released on September 15, 2009. It became Jordin's first number one song 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 started her first headlining tour in the United States, called the Battlefield Tour. She covered the song "Beauty and the Beast" for the Disney film's re-release.

Later Music and Film Projects

In 2010, Jordin was featured on the Big Time Rush song "Count on You". She also appeared on their TV show. Jordin began working on her third album in 2010.

In March 2011, Jordin recorded a song called "The World I Knew" for the film African Cats. She released a non-album song, "I Am Woman", in May 2011. She performed it on American Idol.

Jordin also made her film debut in Sparkle. This movie was a remake of a 1976 film. Jordin played the main character, Sparkle Williams. The film also starred Whitney Houston. "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded, was with Jordin. It was released in June 2012.

Jordin also starred in another film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, which began filming in July 2012. She also performed on VH1 Divas 2012 in a tribute to Whitney Houston.

New Music and Label Changes

In May 2013, Jordin announced that she would release new music. She asked fans for their thoughts on the delay of her third album. The song "Skipping a Beat" was released in August 2013. Jordin was also featured on "Vertigo" from Jason Derulo's album.

Jordin joined the cast of the action science fiction film Left Behind in August 2013. She played Shasta, a passenger on a plane. She also guest starred in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in November 2013.

In December 2013, Jordin partnered with Glade to release a Christmas song, "This Is My Wish". She performed it on The Today Show.

Jordin later signed with Salaam Remi's new record label, Louder than Life. This meant she had to record new songs for her third album.

Recent Albums and TV Appearances

In May 2014, Jordin hosted the Billboard Music Awards 'Samsung Red Carpet'. Her mixtape, #ByeFelicia, was released in November 2014.

Her third album, Right Here Right Now, was released on August 21, 2015. The first song from the album was "Double Tap", featuring 2Chainz. In 2015, Jordin sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 2015 Indianapolis 500.

In 2016, Jordin was cast in the film God Bless the Broken Road. She also had a pilot episode for a potential cooking show called Sugar and Sparks on Food Network.

In February 2018, Jordin shared that she was working on her fourth album. She was inspired by her marriage and her son. In August 2018, KIN Network released a web series called Heart of Batter with Jordin Sparks, about her love for baking. In 2019, Jordin released 1990 Forever, an album with R&B singer Elijah Blake. She also joined the Broadway musical Waitress.

On June 2, 2020, Jordin released the song "Unknown". On July 31, she released "Red Sangria". In 2021, Jordin competed on The Masked Dancer as "Exotic Bird". She also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2022. In October 2020, Jordin was featured on the song "Pink" with Dolly Parton and others to help with Breast Cancer Research.

New Album: No Restrictions

On October 10, 2023, Jordin announced her new song "Call My Name". It was released on October 13 and was a popular song on iTunes R&B/Soul charts. On October 30, 2023, Jordin 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

Jordin Sparks married Dana Isaiah (born Dana Isaiah Thomas), a fitness model, in Hawaii on July 17, 2017. They welcomed their first child, a son, on May 2, 2018.

Other Ventures

Endorsements and Products

In April 2008, Jordin partnered with the cosmetics company Avon for their teen line, Mark. In November 2008, she worked with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line called 'Sparks'.

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, was released in October 2012.

Acting and Broadway Roles

In 2009, Jordin acted on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck. She also appeared on the Nickelodeon show Big Time Rush in 2010.

On May 3, 2010, Jordin joined the cast of the Broadway show In the Heights as Nina Rosario. She performed from August to November. She also did a voice-over for the cartoon Team Umizoomi as the Blue Mermaid.

After her film debut in Sparkle, Jordin continued acting. She was in the indie drama film The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete. She also played Alice, a neighbor and friend. Jordin was in the film The Grace of Jake as Nicole Lovely.

In 2013, Jordin played Abby in Dear Secret Santa, a Christmas film. She also guest starred on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Alison Stone. Jordin played Shasta Carvell in Left Behind, a thriller film.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

US President George W. Bush congratulates Jordin Sparks after she sang the U.S. national anthem in Ghana

In 2007, Jordin helped SOS Children's Villages by designing a jacket to support orphans. In February 2008, Jordin traveled to Ghana with George and Laura Bush to help with Malaria No More. This group works to end malaria deaths in Africa. Jordin sang "Amazing Grace" there. She 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."

In 2008, Jordin supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign. She helped with a school supplies drive. On May 20, 2009, Jordin became a supporter of the Got Milk? campaign. She also took part in the VH1 Divas concert to support the Save The Music Foundation. In February 2010, Jordin helped with "We Are the World 25 for Haiti", a song to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. She also designed a necklace to help fund medical units in Haiti.

In July 2011, Jordin performed a surprise concert in Times Square. She was named the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador" in 2011 and 2012. She helped raise money for music education in schools. Jordin also supports Little Kids Rock, which 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" to raise money for charities.

Since 2008, Jordin and her campaign visit the Super Bowl host city each year. They host events to raise money for different charities. In June 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. The campaign has raised over $500,000.

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

See also

In Spanish: Jordin Sparks para niños

• List of Idols winners