Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks Headshot

Singer • Songwriter • Actress

Birth Date: December 22, 1989

Age: 35 years old

Birth Place: Phoenix, Arizona

With millions of copies of her singles sold worldwide, season six winner Jordin Sparks clearly emerged as one of the most successful artists to emerge from the pop cultural behemoth, "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16).

Jordin Brianna Sparks was born on Dec. 22, 1989 in Phoenix, AZ to Jodi Weidmann Sparks and Phillippi Sparks, a former NFL defensive back. Singing since she was two years old, Sparks frequently entered local children's singing contests in nearby Glendale where her family resided. At 13, she appeared in a local production of the musical "The Wiz" (1974), and later in Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic tale "Cinderella" (1957). She attended Glendale's Sandra Day O'Connor High School through her freshman year, but was home schooled after that so she could focus on her budding musical career.

In 2004, Sparks tried her luck at numerous talent contests, including "America's Most Talented Kid" (NBC, 2003-06) and Coca-Cola's Rising Star. She also won two Gospel Music Association Academy awards, which led to an introduction to Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith, whom she worked for as a background vocalist for his Christmas 2005 and 2006 tours.

While singing was her first love, Sparks also explored other avenues to showcase her talent, including modeling in 2006 for the women's plus-size clothing line, Torrid.

In 2006, Sparks auditioned for the sixth season of "American Idol" in Seattle, where she wowed the judges with her evocative rendition of Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" (1996), and was sent through Hollywood's semi-finals round. Sparks quickly gained a loyal fan base on the show, thanks to her powerful performances of Martina McBride's hit "A Broken Wing" (1997) and Rodger and Hammerstein's show tune "You'll Never Walk Alone" (1945).

Her youthful - albeit overly cute to some - personality throughout the competition helped her land a spot in the finals against slightly edgier beat boxer, Blake Lewis. The 17-year-old Sparks ultimately took home the "Idol" title as the youngest winner in the show's history.

In 2007, she released her self-titled platinum-selling debut album that featured the hit singles "Tattoo" and "No Air," a duet with R&B singer Chris Brown. Both songs landed on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the first week of their release, and earned Sparks two MTV Video Music Award nominations in 2008. At the awards show, she incited controversy after she spoke out against host Russell Brand's jokes about teen pop sensations, the Jonas Brothers, and their purity rings. The conservatively-raised Sparks told the crowd, "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut."

Sparks later told Entertainment Weekly that she was sorry for offending people who did not wear promise rings or share her own religious beliefs.

In 2009, the talented singer showcased a more mature side with her sophomore album Battlefield (2009), which reached No. 10 on the charts because of its title track. That same year, she performed on the televised special "VH1 Divas Live 2009" (VH1, 2009) and made her acting debut on "The Suite Life on Deck" (Disney, 2008-11).

In 2010, Sparks returned to the stage and made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical "In the Heights" (2008), where she played a headstrong college student.

Credits

A Motown Christmas

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2024

Roller JamStream

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2024

Roller JamStream

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2024

Let's Make a Deal Primetime: Salute to the Military

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2023

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration

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2022

Sherri

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2022

Black Pack: Excellence

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2022

The Black Pack: We Three Kings

Self
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2021

Celebrity Name That TuneStream

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2021

A Christmas TreasureStream

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Lou
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2021

A Christmas TreasureStream

Executive Producer
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2021

Let's Make a Deal Primetime

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2020

I Can See Your VoiceStream

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2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

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2020

Iconic: TLC

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2020

The Not-Too-Late Show with ElmoStream

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2020

Dolly: PINK

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2020

Sugar Rush ChristmasStream

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2019

The Kelly Clarkson Show

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2019

Access Daily

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2019

Tamron HallStream

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2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

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2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

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2019

How to Holiday With Jordin Sparks and Friends

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2018

Today 3rd Hour

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2018

Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash

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2018

Heart of the Batter With Jordin Sparks

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2018

Jordin Sparks: A Baby Story

Self
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2018

People Cover Story

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2018

Idol Winners

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2018

Idol Reboot

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2018

God Bless the Broken Road

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Bridgette
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2018

Show Dogs

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Daisy
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2018

The 2018 Miss America Competition

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2017

STEVE on Watch

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2017

The Happi House Mother's Day Special

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2017

The Pop Game

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2017

Today's Take

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2016

The $100,000 PyramidStream

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2016

The Real O'NealsStream

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Herself
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2016
67%

DanceBattle America

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2015

Rupaul's Drag Race: RuVealed

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2015

Jordin Sparks: Right Here Right Now

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2015

Jordin Sparks Feat. 2 Chainz: Double Tap

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2015

Jordin Sparks Feat. 2 Chainz: Double Tap

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2015

Jordin Sparks Double Tap

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2015

The Grace of Jake

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Nicole Lovely
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2015

The Meredith Vieira Show

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2014

A Capitol Fourth

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2014

Evolution Of...

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2014

Left Behind

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Shasta Carvell
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2014

Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

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2013

The Queen Latifah Show

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2013

Whose Line Is It Anyway?Stream

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2013

The Real

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2013

The Real

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2013

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and PeteStream

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Alice
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2013
84%

Dear Secret Santa

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Abby
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2013

Home & Family

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2012

Katie

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2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

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2012

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards

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2012

Celebrity Slimdowns: Losing the Weight

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2012

SparkleStream

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Sparkle
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2012
57%

LIVE with Kelly

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2011

Majors & Minors

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2011

MDA Labor Day Telethon

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2011

A Capitol Fourth 2011

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2011

Big Morning Buzz Live

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2011

Jordin Sparks: The World I Knew

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2011

The Talk

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2010

Access Hollywood Live

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2010

Team UmizoomiStream

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Blue Mermaid
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2010

Big Time RushStream

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2009

Holiday Belles

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2009

The Brian McKnight Show

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2009

The Dr. Oz Show

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2009

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

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2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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2009

Jordin Sparks: Battlefield

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2009

The Doctors

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2008

America United: In Support of Our Troops

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2008

Teen Choice 2008

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2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
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2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Music Performer
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2008

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

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2008

Jordin Sparks Feat. Chris Brown: No Air

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2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

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Show
2007

The Better Show

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2007

Jordin Sparks Feat. Chris Brown: No Air

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2007

Jordin Sparks: One Step At A Time

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2007

Jordin Sparks: Tattoo

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2007

Jordin Sparks Feat. Chris Brown: No Air

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2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

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2006

Talkshow With Spike Feresten

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2006

Made in Hollywood

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2005

The Tyra Show

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2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

Contestant
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2005

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

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2003

American Idol

Contestant
Reality
2003
68%

American Idol

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Reality
2003
68%

American Idol

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Reality
2003
68%

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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2002

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
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2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

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2001

CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationStream

Guest Star
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2000

In Performance at The White House

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1998

The View

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1997

The View

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1997

Access Hollywood

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News
1996

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

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1992

E! News

Actor
News
1991

Jordin Sparks: Beauty And The Beast

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1991

Entertainment Tonight

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1981

Good Morning America

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Good Morning America

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1975

Great PerformancesStream

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1972

Today

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Today

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1952

News aboutJordin Sparks

Katy Perry for American Idol

Katy Perry Weighs In on Her ‘American Idol’ Replacement

Iam Tongi and Clay Aiken
Spoiler Alert

‘American Idol’: Clay Aiken, David Archuleta & Justin Guarini Mentor During ‘Hollywood Week’ (RECAP)

American-Idol-Successes

9 Biggest Success Stories From ‘American Idol’

Selma Blair & Jordin Sparks to Return for ‘DWTS’ Finale Performance

Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong on 'Dancing With the Stars'
Q&A

Jordin Sparks Wants to Return to ‘Dancing With the Stars’ After Elimination — to Sing and Host

Dancing With the Stars Season 31 premiere
Spoiler Alert

‘DWTS’ Season 31 Premiere: [Spoiler] Gets Eliminated in First Live Show on Disney+

DWTS Season 31 Poster
Exclusive

See ‘DWTS’ Contestants Go Head-to-Head in New Season 31 Poster (PHOTOS)

Dancing with the Stars Season 31 cast
Preview

‘DWTS’ Season 31 Stars & Pros Talk First Impressions, Diversity and More

American Idol
Spoiler Alert

‘American Idol’ Celebrates 20 Seasons With ‘The Great Idol Reunion’ (RECAP)

Nicolina
Spoiler Alert

‘American Idol’: ‘Hollywood Week’ Brings ‘Genre Challenge’ & Judge Curveball (RECAP)

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Lauren Alaina, and Ruben Studdard

‘American Idol’: Jordin Sparks, Lauren Alaina & More Vets to Feature During Hollywood Week

Jordin Sparks in A Christmas Treasure
Premiere

Jordin Sparks on Getting Musical for Hallmark in ‘A Christmas Treasure’ (VIDEO)

Jordin Sparks Michael Xavier

Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas 2021: Jordin Sparks & Michael Xavier to Star in ‘A Christmas Treasure’

Reality Stars to Broadway

7 Reality Stars Who Have Starred on Broadway (PHOTOS)

american-idol

15 Amazing ‘American Idol’ Auditions Over the Years (VIDEO)

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Which TV Stars Are Expecting in 2018? (PHOTOS)

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All Babies Born to TV Stars in 2018 (PHOTOS)

american_idol_winners-1

Quiz: Can You Put the ‘American Idol’ Winners in Chronological Order?

American Idol

Looking Back on ‘American Idol’: Judges and Winners Reveal Secrets and Behind-the-Scenes Drama