Jordin Sparks

Winner of the sixth season of American Idol, Jordin Sparks is an American pop star noted for not only winning the popular television series but being the youngest person to do so.

Jordin Brianna Sparks was born December 22, 1989 in Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents are Jodi Wiedmann and Phillippi Sparks. Her father is most known for his stint as an NFL player on the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Sparks briefly attended Orchard School and Sandra Day O Connor High School before she was home schooled in an attempt to focus on her singing talent.

Before she ever took the stage of American Idol, she competed in various talent competitions such as America’s Most Talented Kids, American Juniors, and Star Search. She also appeared briefly with Alice Cooper in a special Christmas show as well as touring with Christian singer Michael W Smith.

When she was just thirteen, the young Sparks even earned a five song album contract, which was eventually entitled For Now. At the same time, she began pursuing acting in various youth theaters.

In addition to acting and singing, Sparks also explored her interest in modeling in 2006, winning the Phoenix Torrid “Next Plus Size Model” competition. This win earned her a full-page ad in the popular magazine Seventeen.

Sparks, therefore, had found an incredible amount of success before she ever stepped in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson. Winning the coveted golden ticket, Sparks was on her way to Hollywood and well on her way to winning the competition. Although her first audition in Los Angeles did not produce the desired golden ticket, Sparks prevailed in her second audition in Seattle.

When she beat out Blake Lewis to win the competition, she was added the list of successful winners which includes Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hick, Ruben Studdard, and Fantasia Barrino.

On August 27, 2007, her single “Tattoo” hit the airwaves. Her self-titled debut album is due out November 20, 2007.

Since winning, Sparks has appeared on a multitude of talk shows from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Larry King Live to Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Entertainment Tonight.

In her personal life, Sparks is very open about her devoted Christianity, even gracing the cover of evangelical magazine World. She received relatively minor criticism from liberal groups when photos emerged on her MySpace page next to an “End Abortion Now” sign.