Biography
Who is Jordin Sparks?
Early life and family
Jordin Brianna Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 22, 1989. Her mother is Jodi Sparks and her father is former professional football player Phillippi Sparks. She grew up with a younger brother named Phillippi Sparks Jr. During her childhood, the family lived in the suburbs of Ridgewood, New Jersey, while her father played for the New York Giants.
She later returned to Arizona and attended Northwest Community Christian School through the eighth grade. She also attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006. At that point, she began homeschooling under her grandmother, Pam Wiedmann, to focus on her music career. Her grandmother also managed her early musical activities from when Jordin was nine years old. She performed the national anthem at local sporting events for teams like the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. Before her big break, she participated in several talent competitions including the Gospel Music Association Academy's Overall Spotlight Award and the 2006 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search.
How Jordin became famous
In the summer of 2006, the sixteen-year-old artist auditioned for the sixth season of American Idol. She first tried out in Los Angeles but did not advance. She then successfully auditioned in Seattle after winning a regional competition called Arizona Idol. Once on the show, she gained a dedicated following that called themselves Sparkplugs.
On May 23, 2007, she won the competition at age seventeen. This victory made her the youngest winner in the history of the series at that time. Throughout the season, she performed several songs, including the coronation track This Is My Now, which peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Following her victory, she participated in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with other top contestants. She returned to the show multiple times in subsequent years to perform or pay tribute to other artists.
Career highlights and albums
Jordin Sparks released her self-titled debut studio album in November 2007. The project reached number ten on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold over one million copies in the United States. It featured two successful singles, Tattoo and No Air. The song No Air, a collaboration with Chris Brown, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over three million digital copies.
Her second studio album, Battlefield, arrived in 2009 and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. The lead single, also titled Battlefield, reached the top ten on the charts. She later released Right Here Right Now in 2015, Cider & Hennessy in 2020, and No Restrictions in 2024. Throughout her career, she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award. Billboard magazine also recognized her as the 91st artist of the 2000s.
Acting and business ventures
Beyond her music, Jordin ventured into acting and Broadway. She made her stage debut in 2010 as Nina Rosario in the musical In The Heights. In 2012, she starred as the lead character in the feature film Sparkle. Her business ventures include releasing several perfumes, such as Because of You... In 2010, followed by Fascinate and Ambition in 2012. Also, she worked as a model, including a 2006 campaign for Torrid.
Birthday and age
Jordin Sparks was born on December 22, 1989, which makes Jordin 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Jordin shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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