Sparks' sophomore 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.
Early life
Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann-Sparks and former NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks. Her mother is Caucasian and her father is African-American. She has a younger brother, Phillippi "PJ" Sparks, Jr., who plays football. She grew up in the suburb of Roseland, New Jersey while her father played for the New York Giants. She attended Noecker Elementary in Roseland for three years. 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.
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.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.
[edit]Before Idol
Before appearing on American Idol, Sparks participated in and won such talent competitions as the Gospel Music Association Academy, NBC/PAX America's Most Talented Kids, Colgate Country Showdown, Coca-Cola's Rising Star, and the 2006 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. A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine.
[edit]American Idol
Main article: American Idol (season 6)
In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for 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. Sparks was the fourth winner never to have been voted in the bottom three (after Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks). 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]."
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.
[edit]Performances/results
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 3
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)
Producer's 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
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'.
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.
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.
Career
2007–2008: Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks (album)
Then-President George W. Bush congratulates 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), Kris Allen (Season 8, winner), and Allison Iraheta (Season 8, 4th place) also joined the label group, making them the only four Idol contestants who signed a contract with them. Sparks has stated that she has recorded some songs for the album but the bulk of the recording would be done in Los Angeles after the tour is over.[ She said the album would be "Top 40, radio-friendly, uplifting stuff" hopefully mixing "the pop rock sound of Kelly Clarkson with the R&B edge of Beyonce". 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. The song became the album's first top ten single.
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". The song toped 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.
In February 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII (the song was then made available on iTunes the next day). She had also previously performed at Game 1 of the 2007 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. In February 2008, Jordin performed at the NBA Rookie game during NBA All-Star Weekend. Jordin also went to Ghana in February to help with Malaria No More. She performed in a tribute to Aretha at the NAACP Awards in February, as well. She had previously performed in a tribute to Diana Ross in December of 2007.
In March 2008 she appeared on The Tyra Banks Show. Banks told Sparks that she wanted her 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. Sparks states that she would love to break into acting.
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. 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 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. She was back on the road with Alicia Keys by April 30. She remained on the tour until the last show on June 18.
"One Step at a Time" was the third single from the album and was officially released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. Sparks performed "One Step at a Time" at Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular for the second year in a row. 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 Jordin 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 for 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. The first being Kelly Clarkson with 3 nominations. Britney Spears for "Piece Of Me" actually took home the award that night for Best Female Video, while Tokio Hotel beat out Sparks for the Best New Artist award with "Ready, Set, Go!".[26] While at the same VMAs, Sparks caused controversy by responding to a joke made by host Russell Brand during his opening monologue, when he held up a silver ring, claiming to have relieved one of the Jonas Brothers of his virginity, 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". While presenting an award at the American Music Awards, she started by stating "I'm gonna stick to the script this time" in reference to the VMA incident.
She has won an American Music Award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category. This was her first nomination at the American Music Awards. 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 collection will later include casual apparel and accessories. Each piece will reflect Sparks' youthful and collected sense of style. The line launched on November 19, 2008 and comes in sizes XS to XL.
Sparks joined Alicia Keys for a second time on an Australian leg of her As I Am Tour, which began on December 6, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand at the Vector Arena and ended December 20, 2008.
2009–present: Battlefield
Main article: Battlefield (album)
Timbaland said in an interview that Sparks will be one of the collaborations on his forthcoming album Shock Value 2. However when the official press release was release, Sparks was not listed as one of the album's collaborators. In an update on her website, she stated that her fans can look forward to seeing more upbeat dance tunes on her second album.She confirmed that fans could see her at a possible NFL playoff anthem in January, Charity Benefit in February, and VH1 Save the Music performing with John Mayer in March. In addition to this an official Sparks fan club would open called "SparksTown", which has since been launched with the release of "Battlefield". Sparks returned to University of Phoenix Stadium to again sing the national anthem before the NFC Championship game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, 2009.
Jordin Sparks performs at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009. The ball, hosted by President Barack Obama, honored America's service members, families of the fallen, and wounded warriors.
Sparks joined several A-List singers performing at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball which was hosted by President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009 where she performed a new song entitled 'Faith' written by herself. The song was seleted as the 11th track on Battlefield. Sparks sang the National Anthem at the NBA All Star Game on February 15, 2009 and at an MLB Spring Training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox on March 1, 2009. Sparks hired her own personal trainer, Joey London and began working with choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson for her upcoming tour with the Jonas Brothers.
Sparks' second album has a higher profile and better production than her first due to the great success of the album itself and its four singles. Sparks said she plans on working with Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder on her new album in an interview on the radio show "Johnjay & Rich" the morning after her appearance at the 2008 American Music Awards. She said the album will be more R&B and dance influenced, and will sound more "Beyoncé meets Rihanna." In an update on her MySpace, Sparks stated she was "in the studio and writing amazing songs!" She also told Hollyscoop TV that she had spoken to Leona Lewis and the pair were considering recording a duet along the theme of 'female empowerment'.
In a radio interview on The MJ Morning Show in Tampa, Florida, Sparks revealed news about the highly anticipated album. She announced her label's goal for the release of her second album is in late spring/early summer. At the time of the interview, Sparks had recorded a total of 9 songs. Jordin recorded 30 songs for the album.Sparks also revealed she was working with some of the same writers as the last album as well as new writers and producers such as Stargate, T-Pain, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Claude Kelly, Lucas Secon, and Toby Gad. Sparks visited the radio show "Johnjay & Rich" where she previewed four new songs ("Let It Rain", "Walking On Snow", "Faith", and "Paper Cut"), which are songs that made her sophomore album.
The album's first single, "Battlefield", 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; the song was sent for radio adds on May 25, 2009. 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. Philip Andelman shot the music video in Los Angeles. Philip has shot videos for the likes of Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Jay-Z. Jordin shot the video on May 12, 2009 and then finished shooting on May 14, 2009. On May 24, 2009 Jordin headed to Europe with her brother, PJ, to begin promotion for the single.
On May 19, 2009 Jordin announced the title of her sophomore record would be Battlefield. The album was released on July 21, 2009.Jordin also became an endorser for the Got Milk? organization on May 20, 2009 when she went to take a photo shoot.
It was announced that Jordin would serve as the opening act for the North American leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 on May 11, 2009. 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.
After weeks of speculation, on August 25, 2009 it was announced that Sparks would be taking part in the 2009 VH1 Divas special on September 17, 2009. She performed her second single from Battlefield: S.O.S. (Let the Music Play) and a duet with Martina McBride.
In mid October Sparks embarked on a short promotional tour in Europe. On October 23rd, Australian soul and R&B artist Guy Sebastian, released a new single entitled Art of Love which guest featured Sparks. Sebastian who wrote the song in mind for Sparks, traveled to New York to record the song with her. Like Sparks, Guy Sebastian is a winner of the Idol reality television series in Australia (Season One). Sebastian and Sparks filmed the official music video in Los Angeles on November 3, 2009.
Jordin recently made her acting debut on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck, guest starring as herself in the "Crossing Jordin" episode. On January 21, 2010 Bones creator Hart Hanson revealed to TV Guide that Sparks would be make a guest appearance on the hit TV show.
Sparks is also set to guest star on the hit Nickelodeon show Big Time Rush.
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
In May 2010, Jordin will embark on her first ever solo headlining tour, the Battlefield Tour in support of her second studio album of the same name.
On May 3, 2010 it was announced that Sparks will join the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "In the Heights". She will be replacing Janet Dacal as the female lead role, Nina Rosario. [65]
[edit]Discography
Main article: Jordin Sparks discography
Studio albums
2007: Jordin Sparks
2009: Battlefield
EPs
2003: For Now
2007: Jordin Sparks (EP)
[edit]Tours
2007: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
2008: Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour
2010: Battlefield Tour
[edit]Opening act
2008: As I Am Tour
2009: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009
2009: The Circus Starring: Britney Spears
[edit]Accomplishments
[edit]Honors
Coca Cola 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 2006 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search, Tempe, Arizona
Plus-size model search winner for Torrid
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
First American Idol Contestant, and youngest person in history, to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl
New Zealand #1 Song of 2008 – "No Air"
[edit]Billboard Year End Charts 2008
Best New Artist — #2
Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year — #30
Top Artist of the Year — #8
Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year — #4
Pop Artist of the Year — #5
Female Artist of the Year — #6
Hot 100 Artist of the Year (Female) — #5
Billboard 200 Jordin Sparks — #35
Hot 100 "No Air" — #6
Hot Digital Songs "No Air" — #8
Pop 100 "No Air" — #5
Mainstream Top 40 "No Air" — #7
Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs "No Air" — #43
Rhythmic Top 40 "No Air" — #26
Hot 100 "Tattoo" — #30
Hot Adult Contemporary Song "Tattoo" — #12
Hot 100 "One Step at a Time" — #61
[edit]Awards and nominations
Year 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
[edit]Filmography
(2009) The Suite Life On Deck — As herself in the episode: "Crossing Jordin"
(2010) Bones — TBA
(2010) Big Time Rush — TBA
Source:wikipedia
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