Jordin Sparks is, in many ways, the epitome of the American Idol dream. In the two short years since winning, she's released a successful debut that spawned two Top 10 hits (including "No Air," her smash duet with Chris Brown), toured with big-name acts like Alicia Keys and the Jonas Brothers (with whom she's currently on the road) and even performed for two presidents! Now she's releasing her sophomore album, Battlefield, which premiered on Rhapsody last Tuesday and drops everywhere else next week. When she recently sat down with us to talk about how far she's come, we discovered that, despite her success, Sparks is still very much the sweet Arizona girl she was before she became a household name.
So where are you today?
I'm actually in D.C. on the tour bus, getting ready -- actually, we're driving to the Verizon Center, where we're performing.
How's the tour been so far?
It's been really good, actually. I've been having a lot of fun. And it's always really cool to travel with somebody that you admire and that you're friends with. And so it's been amazing! We've had like these like Silly String fights, and all these different things, and it's been really awesome!
At the risk of maybe alienating your tourmates, what's the one thing about the Jonas Brothers that maybe their fans don't realize?
Um ... oh, gosh. The Jonas Brothers fans know everything about them, so I don't think there's anything they don't know! Which is crazy! But for me, collectively, I've kind of gotten to know them as a group. So to be on this tour, it's really cool to see the different personalities. Like Joe is definitely, I think, the most outgoing, and he's a prankster. And Kevin is, you know, the one who oversees everything and makes sure everything is OK. And Nick is very serious for being 16, but he's very smart and he's a musical genius! So it's really cool to be able to see all that.
So tell us about the new album, Battlefield, which premiered on Rhapsody.
Well, I think the biggest thing for this album is just the growth and maturity in my voice -- that's kind of just what I wanted to show. It's been about two years since I put out my first album, so I've gone through a little bit. Not too much, but I have grown up a little bit and gone through some experiences. I got to write a lot more on this album. So I've been really excited and very lucky to have as many songs as I got on this record. I got about four. And it's gonna be really cool. I think there's a little bit of everything for everybody on this album. And in terms of production, there's a few songs that are kind of reminiscent and just as big as how "Battlefield" is and how "No Air" was. So there's a couple more songs like that, as well.
You mentioned that you co-wrote four of the songs. Did you enjoy the writing process?
[Gasps] I did! I've always wanted to write. I've always loved language arts -- anything to do with words, ever since I was little. And I wrote poetry -- I think I started in the fourth grade. And it wasn't until I was a little bit older that I realized that poetry can be turned into a song. You just have to add music. And so I got lucky enough to be able to write on my first album: I wrote "Freeze" and then two of the bonus tracks on the album. And I had a lot more time this time around to record and took my time, and we ended up probably writing about 12 or 13 songs and we picked the four best that we really, really loved. And so I was very, very excited! But I'm excited for my fans to hear my heart this time around!
Right. Do you feel more connected singing the songs that you wrote?
Exactly! Maybe it's just me, but I feel that for me, sometimes when I'm singing a song that I've written, I go to the place where I was writing from, and it just becomes such a different feeling when I'm performing the song and I'm so much more into it. And I think it gives the audience member a different experience as well. I think that for anybody with songs that they haven't written, they try to interpret it as best as they can, but they won't be able to interpret it the way that the person who wrote it did, you know what I mean? We can try as best as we can! I definitely love the songs that are on my album that I didn't write. But to write a song and to sing it is definitely an amazing feeling.
Do you have any mentors or anyone that you look to as a model for songwriting?
You know, I actually have been a huge fan of Alicia Keys. And I went on tour with her, and it even made me a bigger fan of hers -- and more confident in my own writing abilities, listening to all the songs that she wrote and how passionate she is when she's up there performing. As well as I've always been a huge fan of John Mayer, and the way he writes his songs, and his lyrics are just so deep and meaningful. And I think those are the two that I think I kind of mirror myself after -- or try to, at least! I don't even know if I'd ever be able to get to their caliber!
I notice that you've sung for Obama and you met with George Bush. Which meeting was more nerve-wracking?
Oh, my gosh! [Laughs] I don't know if there is -- if either one of them was higher than the other. I mean, they were both nerve-wracking in their own rights. With President Bush, we were going to Africa and he was doing this big speech and all these different things. And I was just like, "This is incredible! I can't believe I'm here right now!" I was so nervous singing the national anthem in front of him! And then for Obama's inauguration, it was one of those things where it was history! It was a piece of history, and nobody can take that away from me. And it was just an amazing thing! So I don't know which one was more nerve-wracking. They were both were, actually.
You know, the first single and several of your other songs, like "No Air," for example, you talk a lot about love and relationships. Did a lot of that come from experience?
You know, I've always loved being able to interpret a song how I think I would feel, even though I haven't gone through a lot of things. Because you're right: I am young! I'm only 19, and I haven't gone through the devastating breakups and different things like that. And hopefully that won't happen for a very long time! But I have friends that have, I have family members that have gone through a ton of stuff -- have gone through pain and heartache and love and loss. And I see what they feel, and I feel their pain. Because I kind of take on other people's pain. I don't try to -- it just happens! [Laughs] And so I imagine what they would feel like. So for me, I just kind of interpret songs the way I think I would feel if they happened. So I guess there are a couple of things where it's like, you know, she has no idea! But at the same time, it's the only thing I can sing about it! It's something that's universal that everybody can relate to on one level or another, whether it's a romantic relationship or just a platonic relationship between friends -- you can have love there, as well. So I kind of go through different kinds. But sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll -- I can't sing about that! [Laughs] So, this is what I have left.
Do you feel like the hectic schedule of a budding superstar such as yourself gets in the way of a young girl's love life?
It definitely can. I definitely see how, you know, relationships start and you think they're gonna -- at least for things that I've been reading, it's that they start and then all of a sudden, they're over. It's just because all the traveling is really crazy, and you have to have a special kind of bond and trust issue with that. So I can definitely understand. I am talking with somebody and it's been crazy. You know, I was focused on music and focused on traveling a lot, and I still am, and I'm still traveling, so it's kind of one of those things where I'm like, "I hope you can deal with my schedule!" 'Cause we're definitely gonna have to see. But I can see it -- it's definitely crazy!
So who was your favorite artist as a kid? As a 10-year-old?
Oh, goodness. Well, besides the stuff that my parents were listening to that I also listened to -- you know, like '80s bands and then Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey and Whitney [Houston] and all that -- around 9 or 10 years old was when the whole pop phenomenon came about, like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and 'NSYNC and all that. And I was obsessed with Christina Aguilera. I loved her. I wanted to be her! I have all of her music, and I definitely -- she was one of my influences on the way I sing and just music in general. I think Christina Aguilera was the one that I loved the most. And then I loved Celine Dion, as well.
Did you get swept up at all in this whole Michael Jackson mania? Maybe mania's the wrong word for it, but you know what I mean.
Yeah, no, I completely understand. I was devastated. And still am. It was crazy. I didn't realize how much of an impact he had had on my life, just from when I was little till now. I used to watch Moonwalker every single chance I got. I was obsessed, had a crush on him, thought I was going to marry him -- all that good stuff. And I listened to his music a lot, as well, and began dissecting it I think maybe in the seventh or eighth grade. And I just really, really appreciated him for his art and what he did for music. And when he passed away, tears just started falling. It was just one of those things where you're like, he's gone? That's not -- no! That's not happening right now. But he was. And then the memorial came on, and I was glued to the TV. I didn't even care if I was late, I was just like, I'm watching this whole thing. And I was also bawling, so it was crazy. But I hope he has the peace and rest he was yearning for, you know?
American Idol gave you your big break, but do you think it changed you as an artist at all?
You know what a funny thing is? I still would be the same person, but before American Idol, I was actually pursuing country music! A lot of people don't know that I was pursuing that. I kind of wanted to be Taylor Swift before Taylor Swift came around! [Laughs] If I could have been that one person, it probably would have been what she's doing now. And I was pursuing that and this company that I was talking to, this management company, was like, "Well, what do you want to do?" And I was like, "I wanna try out for American Idol!" And they were like, "OK, go get it out of your system, try out, and then come back," and all that good stuff. And then I tried out and won, and here I am! [Laughs]
So have you met Taylor Swift? Did you tell her this?
I have! I have definitely met her and she is so sweet, and I am just amazed at everything she's accomplished. And it's so awesome. So we kind of keep in contact here and there. I'll send an occasional text and just tell her hello. So ... she's very, very sweet, though. And it's cool because we're both in the music industry and we're both the same age, so it's cool to have that kind of camaraderie there.
So what was your highlight of the year so far?
Oh, goodness gracious. Highlight of the year ... um, I think from the top of my head, we opened the tour at the Dallas Cowboys' new football stadium, which was humongous! And I'm a huge football fan, I love football. So to be at the stadium before the players even get to play on it was amazing. So I think that was one of my biggest highlights. And then also performing "Battlefield" on Idol -- being able to go back and have the smoke and the lights and my name back behind me was really awesome!
I'm actually in D.C. on the tour bus, getting ready -- actually, we're driving to the Verizon Center, where we're performing.
How's the tour been so far?
It's been really good, actually. I've been having a lot of fun. And it's always really cool to travel with somebody that you admire and that you're friends with. And so it's been amazing! We've had like these like Silly String fights, and all these different things, and it's been really awesome!
At the risk of maybe alienating your tourmates, what's the one thing about the Jonas Brothers that maybe their fans don't realize?
Um ... oh, gosh. The Jonas Brothers fans know everything about them, so I don't think there's anything they don't know! Which is crazy! But for me, collectively, I've kind of gotten to know them as a group. So to be on this tour, it's really cool to see the different personalities. Like Joe is definitely, I think, the most outgoing, and he's a prankster. And Kevin is, you know, the one who oversees everything and makes sure everything is OK. And Nick is very serious for being 16, but he's very smart and he's a musical genius! So it's really cool to be able to see all that.
So tell us about the new album, Battlefield, which premiered on Rhapsody.
Well, I think the biggest thing for this album is just the growth and maturity in my voice -- that's kind of just what I wanted to show. It's been about two years since I put out my first album, so I've gone through a little bit. Not too much, but I have grown up a little bit and gone through some experiences. I got to write a lot more on this album. So I've been really excited and very lucky to have as many songs as I got on this record. I got about four. And it's gonna be really cool. I think there's a little bit of everything for everybody on this album. And in terms of production, there's a few songs that are kind of reminiscent and just as big as how "Battlefield" is and how "No Air" was. So there's a couple more songs like that, as well.
You mentioned that you co-wrote four of the songs. Did you enjoy the writing process?
[Gasps] I did! I've always wanted to write. I've always loved language arts -- anything to do with words, ever since I was little. And I wrote poetry -- I think I started in the fourth grade. And it wasn't until I was a little bit older that I realized that poetry can be turned into a song. You just have to add music. And so I got lucky enough to be able to write on my first album: I wrote "Freeze" and then two of the bonus tracks on the album. And I had a lot more time this time around to record and took my time, and we ended up probably writing about 12 or 13 songs and we picked the four best that we really, really loved. And so I was very, very excited! But I'm excited for my fans to hear my heart this time around!
Right. Do you feel more connected singing the songs that you wrote?
Exactly! Maybe it's just me, but I feel that for me, sometimes when I'm singing a song that I've written, I go to the place where I was writing from, and it just becomes such a different feeling when I'm performing the song and I'm so much more into it. And I think it gives the audience member a different experience as well. I think that for anybody with songs that they haven't written, they try to interpret it as best as they can, but they won't be able to interpret it the way that the person who wrote it did, you know what I mean? We can try as best as we can! I definitely love the songs that are on my album that I didn't write. But to write a song and to sing it is definitely an amazing feeling.
Do you have any mentors or anyone that you look to as a model for songwriting?
You know, I actually have been a huge fan of Alicia Keys. And I went on tour with her, and it even made me a bigger fan of hers -- and more confident in my own writing abilities, listening to all the songs that she wrote and how passionate she is when she's up there performing. As well as I've always been a huge fan of John Mayer, and the way he writes his songs, and his lyrics are just so deep and meaningful. And I think those are the two that I think I kind of mirror myself after -- or try to, at least! I don't even know if I'd ever be able to get to their caliber!
I notice that you've sung for Obama and you met with George Bush. Which meeting was more nerve-wracking?
Oh, my gosh! [Laughs] I don't know if there is -- if either one of them was higher than the other. I mean, they were both nerve-wracking in their own rights. With President Bush, we were going to Africa and he was doing this big speech and all these different things. And I was just like, "This is incredible! I can't believe I'm here right now!" I was so nervous singing the national anthem in front of him! And then for Obama's inauguration, it was one of those things where it was history! It was a piece of history, and nobody can take that away from me. And it was just an amazing thing! So I don't know which one was more nerve-wracking. They were both were, actually.
You know, the first single and several of your other songs, like "No Air," for example, you talk a lot about love and relationships. Did a lot of that come from experience?
You know, I've always loved being able to interpret a song how I think I would feel, even though I haven't gone through a lot of things. Because you're right: I am young! I'm only 19, and I haven't gone through the devastating breakups and different things like that. And hopefully that won't happen for a very long time! But I have friends that have, I have family members that have gone through a ton of stuff -- have gone through pain and heartache and love and loss. And I see what they feel, and I feel their pain. Because I kind of take on other people's pain. I don't try to -- it just happens! [Laughs] And so I imagine what they would feel like. So for me, I just kind of interpret songs the way I think I would feel if they happened. So I guess there are a couple of things where it's like, you know, she has no idea! But at the same time, it's the only thing I can sing about it! It's something that's universal that everybody can relate to on one level or another, whether it's a romantic relationship or just a platonic relationship between friends -- you can have love there, as well. So I kind of go through different kinds. But sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll -- I can't sing about that! [Laughs] So, this is what I have left.
Do you feel like the hectic schedule of a budding superstar such as yourself gets in the way of a young girl's love life?
It definitely can. I definitely see how, you know, relationships start and you think they're gonna -- at least for things that I've been reading, it's that they start and then all of a sudden, they're over. It's just because all the traveling is really crazy, and you have to have a special kind of bond and trust issue with that. So I can definitely understand. I am talking with somebody and it's been crazy. You know, I was focused on music and focused on traveling a lot, and I still am, and I'm still traveling, so it's kind of one of those things where I'm like, "I hope you can deal with my schedule!" 'Cause we're definitely gonna have to see. But I can see it -- it's definitely crazy!
So who was your favorite artist as a kid? As a 10-year-old?
Oh, goodness. Well, besides the stuff that my parents were listening to that I also listened to -- you know, like '80s bands and then Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey and Whitney [Houston] and all that -- around 9 or 10 years old was when the whole pop phenomenon came about, like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and 'NSYNC and all that. And I was obsessed with Christina Aguilera. I loved her. I wanted to be her! I have all of her music, and I definitely -- she was one of my influences on the way I sing and just music in general. I think Christina Aguilera was the one that I loved the most. And then I loved Celine Dion, as well.
Did you get swept up at all in this whole Michael Jackson mania? Maybe mania's the wrong word for it, but you know what I mean.
Yeah, no, I completely understand. I was devastated. And still am. It was crazy. I didn't realize how much of an impact he had had on my life, just from when I was little till now. I used to watch Moonwalker every single chance I got. I was obsessed, had a crush on him, thought I was going to marry him -- all that good stuff. And I listened to his music a lot, as well, and began dissecting it I think maybe in the seventh or eighth grade. And I just really, really appreciated him for his art and what he did for music. And when he passed away, tears just started falling. It was just one of those things where you're like, he's gone? That's not -- no! That's not happening right now. But he was. And then the memorial came on, and I was glued to the TV. I didn't even care if I was late, I was just like, I'm watching this whole thing. And I was also bawling, so it was crazy. But I hope he has the peace and rest he was yearning for, you know?
American Idol gave you your big break, but do you think it changed you as an artist at all?
You know what a funny thing is? I still would be the same person, but before American Idol, I was actually pursuing country music! A lot of people don't know that I was pursuing that. I kind of wanted to be Taylor Swift before Taylor Swift came around! [Laughs] If I could have been that one person, it probably would have been what she's doing now. And I was pursuing that and this company that I was talking to, this management company, was like, "Well, what do you want to do?" And I was like, "I wanna try out for American Idol!" And they were like, "OK, go get it out of your system, try out, and then come back," and all that good stuff. And then I tried out and won, and here I am! [Laughs]
So have you met Taylor Swift? Did you tell her this?
I have! I have definitely met her and she is so sweet, and I am just amazed at everything she's accomplished. And it's so awesome. So we kind of keep in contact here and there. I'll send an occasional text and just tell her hello. So ... she's very, very sweet, though. And it's cool because we're both in the music industry and we're both the same age, so it's cool to have that kind of camaraderie there.
So what was your highlight of the year so far?
Oh, goodness gracious. Highlight of the year ... um, I think from the top of my head, we opened the tour at the Dallas Cowboys' new football stadium, which was humongous! And I'm a huge football fan, I love football. So to be at the stadium before the players even get to play on it was amazing. So I think that was one of my biggest highlights. And then also performing "Battlefield" on Idol -- being able to go back and have the smoke and the lights and my name back behind me was really awesome!
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wow jordin lav yah!!!!!!!!!!!!! your awesome
i love you but could you be mor senseable and to the person that's asking you ask her more good qustion
i luv jordan she's sooooooooo sweet i felt xactly da same way she said abt MJ....i luv her song battelfield it's one of my fav.songz
I think Jordin is one of those rare gems that the good Lord blesses us with from time to time.
Jordin is not only pretty - Very Very beautiful and very wise - she appears to be a complete human being.
jordin sparks is amazing and her touring with the jobros(my fave boyband) is even more exciting. i didn't realize she was the same age as Taylor Swift;I have got to go buy her cd even though I just bought the jobros cd.