‘American Idol’s Youngest Winner Jordin Sparks, Then and Now
Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Gateway Celebrity Fight Night Foundation Reading Time: 2 minutes
It’s been 15 years since Jordin Sparks was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 6 back in 2007. At the time, Sparks was just 17 years old, becoming the youngest winner in the show’s history. She’s created an impressive career for herself since then, as well as starting a family.
Jordin Sparks Won American Idol Season 6
Sparks actually auditioned twice for American Idol Season 6. She failed to make it past the first round of her audition in Los Angeles, but she was later sent to audition in Seattle after winning a local competition called “Arizona Idol.”
The young singer, who was just 16 at the time, earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood from the judges after singing “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion. Judge Simon Cowell, however, had a few criticisms, calling Sparks “cutesy” and “over-the-top.”
Sparks went on to earn America’s vote as the season went on, performing songs such as “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Ben E. King and “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera. Her coronation song was “This Is My Now,” which she performed after being announced the winner. She remains the youngest winner in the show’s history.
Before the finale, Sparks’ self-titled EP was released, featuring “This Is My Now” and three other songs she had performed on the show. The next year, she participated in the show’s live tour. Sparks signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records after her win and released her debut single “Tattoo” in 2007. Her self-titled studio album was released later that year, also featuring “No Air” and “One Step at a Time.” It was certified platinum.
SEE ALSO: JORDIN SPARKS TEASES COLLAB WITH T-PAIN, REVEALS THE REASON FOR MUSIC HIATUS
Where Is Sparks Now?
Since winning American Idol, Sparks has released a total of four studio albums, including Battlefield in 2009. Her most recent album release was Cider & Hennessy in 2020. The next year, she released a new single called “You Still Think of Me,” with an accompanying music video.
Sparks has also pursued an acting career, both on stage and on screen. She starred in the movie Sparkle in 2012, as well as Broadway shows In the Heights and Waitress. Last year, she appeared in the Hallmark TV movie A Christmas Treasure.
Also in 2021, Sparks appeared as Exotic Bird on the first season of The Masked Dancer, reuniting her with American Idol judge Paula Abdul, who sat on the panel. Earlier this year, she joined fellow winner Ruben Studdard on the Idol stage for the 20th anniversary reunion special.
The singer famously dated Jason Derulo for three years before they split up in 2014. She went on to marry fitness model Dana Isaiah in 2017. Sparks gave birth to their son, named Dana Isaiah Jr. (nicknamed DJ), in 2018.
