Jordin Sparks

Biography

• Jordin Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American R&B and pop singer-songwriter. Best known as the youngest ever American Idol winner and for her smash hit single “No Air”, Sparks hails from Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

  Born to professional football player Phillippi Sparks, young Jordin Sparks attended Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Arizona, before being homeschooled in order to concentrate on her singing. Prior to making her American Idol debut, Sparks had been crowned winner of Coca Cola’s Rising Star competition, the Gospel Music Association Academy’s Overall Spotlight Awards, and America’s Most Talented Kids competition among a host of other respected talent shows. Following shows performing backup for Alice Cooper and Micael W. Smith, Sparks auditioned for the sixth season of American Idol, and was subsequently given a “golden ticket” from judge Randy Jackson.

  On the show Sparks performed songs from a wide-selection of genres, for example Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”, Gloria Estefan’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”, and Barbra Streisand’s “Woman in Love”, earning the singer a devoted fan base. Having never entered the bottom two contestants in any week of the show, “American Idol” highlighted Sparks’ strong vocals and performance ability, which was validated when she was crowned the winner in May 2007. The Arizona-native’s debut single “This Is My Now” coincided with the show’s end, and later peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200. The single later found its way onto Jordin Sparks’ self-titled EP in May 2007, after which the singer embarked on the “American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with the other Top 10 contestants.

  Following her victory Sparks signed with 19 Recordings/Jive Records who issued her official debut single “Tattoo” in August 2007. Peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, the single was her highest charting to date, and paved the way for her debut full-length. Released in November 2007, the studio album “Jordin Sparks” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, aided by the popular No. 3 single “No Air” featuring Chris Brown. The record earned positive reviews from the critical press and was supported by a pair of extensive worldwide tours, As I Am Tour and Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour.

  After winning the 2008 American Music Award for Favourite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category, Sparks issued her sophomore album “Battlefield” in July 2009. Led by the single of the same name, the record debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, surpassing her debut, despite poorer sales. Sparks supported the album by opening for The Jonas Brothers as well as opening for Britney Spears as a replacement for Ciara. The singer subsequently recorded a video for the song “The World I Knew” for the film “African Cats”, before releasing the non-album single “I Am Woman”. Sparks’ third full-length album “Right Here, Right Now” arrived in 2015 following 6 years of Broadway appearances and film work. Led by the single “Double Tap”, the album was the first to be released on RCA Records, and earned a favourable reviews upon release.

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