Jordin Sparks is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer/songwriter and actress who won season six of “American Idol” during one of the show’s highest rated seasons. She garnered worldwide attention as the youngest winner ever – just 17 years old.
Her self-titled debut went platinum, selling over two million copies worldwide. The first three singles went top five, and the album’s second single, No Air, sold four million digital downloads. No Air has the distinction of being the third highest-selling single by any “American Idol” contestant and is listed #27 in Billboard’s Top 40 Biggest Duets of All Time. Sparks’ second release, Battlefield, debuted on the Billboard Album chart at number seven. Cumulatively, her popular singles have sold over 10 million digital tracks in the US.
Sparks is also a gifted songwriter. She co-wrote Arianna Grande’s smash single, “The Way,” which earned her a BMI songwriting award. Her critically acclaimed mixed tape, Bye Felicia, was a sampler of her highly-anticipated album, Right Here Right Now. The album was released in August of 2015 to rave reviews. She has toured with superstars Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, The Jonas Brothers, New Kids on The Block, The Backstreet Boys and headlined her own tour.
Sparks’ impressive vocal talent has made her the go-to anthem singer and she has performed at many high-profile sporting events such as Super Bowl XLII, NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and Indy 500, among others. She has also lent her voice to recordings for Disney’s African Cats, Beauty and The Beast, and Best Man Holiday. She has garnered two BET Awards, one American Music Award and one People's Choice Award. Sparks also received a nomination for two MTV Awards and a Grammy.
After Sparks’ Battlefield tour, she headed straight to The Great White Way and starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway smash, In the Heights. She made her film debut playing the lead role in the Sony Pictures film Sparkle, opposite Whitney Houston. She has also appeared in numerous television programs such as “VH1 Divas,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade,” Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush,” Billboard Music Awards, and more.
Last year Sparks returned to the Broadway stage as the lead in Waitress, with music by Sara Bareilles, to critical acclaim. Today she continues to act and is also considered a social media influencer due to her impressive social media following. She has also successfully transitioned into network broadcasting hosting/co-hosting on some of television’s most iconic programs. She has also had the great honor of being featured on “Young Hollywood Gives Back: A CNN Heroes Special,” recognizing her impressive philanthropy work throughout her young life.
In 2020 Sparks released new music. The EP Sounds Like Me was released in August, and her first-ever Christmas album, Cider & Hennessy, was released this past Christmas.
