An idol is an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed or any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

More specific terms include: ; Worship

Cult image, a religion-neutral term for a man-made object that is venerated for the deity, spirit or demon that it embodies or represents

Idolatry, a term used in monotheism for the worship of cult images, termed ''idols'', perhaps tending towards iconoclasm, the destruction of images

Murti, a point of focus for devotion or meditation in Hindu and Buddhist religion (not always man-made)

; Entertainment

Idol series, one of several television shows that give formerly unknown persons an opportunity to become stars. The Idol series began in the United Kingdom and has since spread around the world - Australia, Singapore, Canada, France, Germany, India, the United States, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, West African countries, Indonesia, and many other countries.

Teen idol, a popular celebrity "worshipped" by teenagers

Japanese idol, a heavily promoted and merchandised singer or actor

South Korean idol

Billy Idol, English rock musician

The iDol, Japanese comedy movie

Idoling!!!, a Japanese female idol group

"Idol", an episode of the television show ''Power Rangers: SPD''

Matinee idol, an adored film or theater star

The Idols, a Greek pop band of the late 60s and early 70s

Idoli, a Serbian new wave band from the early 1980s

1dol, a Philippine TV musical

; Other

Brad Cain, a professional wrestler known as Lodi and Idol

Idol (philosophy), one of several concepts developed by various philosophers

Idol Records, a record label

IDOL (software), meta software developed by Autonomy Corporation

See also[link]

Divinization (disambiguation)

References[link]

da:Idol de:Idol et:Iidol es:Ídolo fa:بت (تندیس) fr:Idole ko:아이돌 (동음이의) id:Idol it:Idolo nl:Afgod ja:偶像 nn:Idol pl:Idol pt:Ídolo ro:Idol ru:Кумир sv:Idol zh:偶像

:''This article is about the American archaeologist; for others with the same name, see Philip Phillips (disambiguation).''

Philip Phillips (11 August, 1900 – 11 December, 1994) was an influential archaeologist in the United States during the 20th century. Although his first graduate work was in architecture, he later received a doctorate from Harvard University under advisor Alfred Marston Tozzer. His first archaeological experiences were on Iroquois sites, but he specialized in the Mississippian culture, especially its Lower Mississippi Valley incarnation.

In 1937, he was appointed assistant curator of Southeastern Archaeology at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard. In 1949, he became its curator; and remained an honorary curator from his 1967 retirement until his death.

His professional collaborations with James A. Ford, James Bennett Griffin, and Gordon Willey have become some of the standard works of American archaeology.

His professional obituary, including a summary of his life's accomplishments, was written by his life-long colleague and collaborator Gordon R. Willey. It was published in 1996 by the Society for American Archaeology.

Published works[link]

Phillips' published works include:

Brain, Jeffrey P. and Philip Phillips. 1996. Shell Gorgets: Styles of the Late Prehistoric and Protohistoric Southeast. Peabody Museum Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Phillips, Philip. 1970. Archaeological Survey in the Lower Yazoo Basin, Mississippi, 1949-1955. Peabody Museum Papers, vol. 60. Harvard University, Cambridge.

Phillips, Philip and J. A. Brown. 1975-83. Pre-Columbian Shell Engravings from the Craig Mound at Spiro, Oklahoma. (6 volumes) Cambridge, Peabody Museum Press.

Phillips, Philip and J. A. Brown. 1984. Pre-Columbian Shell Engravings from the Craig Mound at Spiro, Oklahoma. (2-volume softbound edition) Cambridge, Peabody Museum Press.

Phillips, Philip, James A. Ford, and James B. Griffin. 1951. Archaeological Survey in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, 1940-1947. Peabody Museum Papers, vol. 25. Harvard University, Cambridge.

Willey, Gordon R. and Philip Phillips. 1958. Method and Theory in American Archaeology. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

References[link]

Willey, Gordon R. Obituary: Philip Phillips 1900-1994. American Antiquity, Vol. 61, No. 1. (Jan., 1996), pp. 39-43.

Category:American archaeologists Category:Pre-Columbian scholars Category:Harvard University alumni Category:American Mesoamericanists Category:Mesoamerican archaeologists Category:20th-century Mesoamericanists Category:1900 births Category:1994 deaths

name	Jennifer Holliday
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jennifer-Yvette Holliday
also known	The Queen of Broadway
birth date	October 19, 1960
origin	Riverside, Texas, USA
instrument	Vocals
genre	R&B;, soul, pop, house, club/dance, gospel
occupation	Singer, actress
years active	1980–present
label	Geffen (1982-1990), Arista (1990-1996) }}

Jennifer-Yvette Holliday (born October 19, 1960, Riverside, Texas) is an American singer and Tony Award-winning actress. She started her career on Broadway in musicals such as ''Dreamgirls'', and later became a successful recording artist. She is best known for her debut single, the ''Dreamgirls'' showstopper and Grammy Award-winning R&B;/Pop hit, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." She is also known as the Queen Of Broadway Gospel.

Biography[link]

Career[link]

Broadway actress[link]

Jennifer landed her first big role on Broadway in 1979. At age 19, she landed a part the same day she auditioned for the Broadway production of ''Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.'' Her performance in that musical earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination. Her next role, which she began to act at 21, was the role for which she became best known: the role of Effie Melody White in the Broadway musical ''Dreamgirls.'' Jennifer originated the role of Effie and remained with the show for nearly four years after its December 20, 1981 opening. Her performance in the role was widely acclaimed, particularly in her iconic performance of the musical number that ends Act I, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Among the acclaim was Holliday's sweep of awards in 1982, including the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a Grammy award for her recorded version of the song, and Drama Desk and Theater World awards for her acting performance. Holliday also performed in the touring company of ''Sing, Mahalia, Sing'' in 1985. In 1998 Holliday was featured on the album "My Favorite Broadway Ladies" notice as one of "The Queens of Broadway."

Recording artist[link]

Jennifer Holliday's version of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" made her a star on Broadway and catapulted her to national stardom. Her version of the song was enjoyed so much by many fans that Holliday was encouraged to transform the song into a hit on the Billboard charts. In 1982, a pop version of the song was released as a single. The song became very successful, peaking at number-one on the Billboard R&B; Singles chart, and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. She continued to have success as a recording artist through the rest of the decade. Her follow-up song, "I Am Love", became another hit in 1983. Holliday's later R&B; hits included. "Hard Time For Lovers" (1985), "No Frills Love" (1985), "Heart on the Line" (1987), "I'm on Your Side" (1991) and "A Woman's Got the Power" (2000). "A Woman's Got the Power" charted at #7 in summer of 1999. However, it recharted the following year, peaking at #1. She continued to appear on the charts throughout the 1990s, but never had the same level of success she had in the 1980s. Holliday was a featured vocalist on the #1 single "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner in 1985. A number of her songs became hits on the US Dance charts as well. In fact, a dance version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" would peak at #6 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 2001.

Gospel singer [link]

On October 30, 1986, Paul Simon hosted a Ken Ehrlich-Produced "Gospel Session" originally televised as part of a series of "Cinemax Sessions" featuring Holiday, Luther Vandross, The Oak Ridge Boys, Andrae Crouch, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. The show began with Holiday singing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." Later, she returned to collaborate with Simon and Vandross on "Still Waters Run Deep," followed by an Aretha Franklin arrangement of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," with the finale consisting of all the participants joining in "Gone At Last," followed by "Amazing Grace."linda A reviewer, whose identity was not known by late February 2011, wrote:

Holliday became popular with LGBT events and fundraisers, which she acknowledged on her gospel album ''On and On.'' Because of this, the Atlantic Entertainment Group's Director of Live Talent, Scott Sherman, produced and promoted many Jennifer Holliday events for several years, acting as both Holliday's de facto agent and road manager. Under Sherman's aegis, Holliday went on a series of special tours and promotions, one-night-only performances, LGBT pride appearances and special fund raising events. Her fans commenced to wait patiently for her to release new singles, and perhaps even a full-length club/dance-style album, and to assume that this might happen once she was re-signed to another record label.

Health concerns and career renewal [link]

In the 1990s, Holliday lost a substantial amount of weight and talked about her health struggles with depression during promotional interviews. Initially, the weight loss was attained strictly by diet. Eventually, in an effort to avoid regaining the weight, Holliday had gastric bypass surgery. After the initial weight loss, she released an LP and video titled ''I’m On Your Side.'' The video, unlike most videos, was recorded live. In 1995, Holliday released the gospel album ''On & On.'' In a March 2008 interview, she revealed that she was in the studio working on a new album, to be released later that year.

In April 2011, Holliday released a Christian CD titled ''Goodness and Mercy'' on her own Euphonic Records label. She produced it in conjunction and cooperation with the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock.

Television Appearances[link]

Apart from her career in the music industry and on the stage, Holliday has also made appearances on primetime television. In addition to appearances on ''Touched by an Angel'' and ''Hang Time,'' she had a half dozen appearances in a recurring guest star role on ''Ally McBeal,'' where she acted out the role of choir director Lisa Knowles.

In 2001, she sang ''America The Beautiful'' on the first WWE pay-per-view to be held after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

On June 26, 2007, Holliday made a surprise appearance at the BET Awards, singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" in a duet with Jennifer Hudson, who had played Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation of ''Dreamgirls'', and won an Oscar for her performance. Holliday had not been offered a cameo role in the film and, feeling snubbed, had repeatedly expressed displeasure with the movie in the media. (Another original ''Dreamgirls'' cast member, Loretta Devine, did have a cameo in the film.) More recently, it became possible to see Holliday in a YouTube video, singing a duet with Hudson. The two actresses-singers performed their live duet at a concert Hudson gave on April 16, 2009. The YouTube video has been viewed more than 900,000 times as of December 2011.

On October 17, 2011 Holliday appeared on The Wendy Williams Show where, following a sit-down interview, Holliday performed "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and received a standing ovation from the studio audience.

Personal life[link]

Holliday has been married twice. In March 1991, just two months after she met keyboardist Billy Meadows in a nightclub where she was singing, they married. "He had a great sense of humor and he made me laugh all the time," Holliday says of her first husband. "I had been feeling bad for so long, I wanted to laugh." But in December 1991, just nine months later, they divorced; the marriage, according to Holliday, "ran out of steam." She explained of Meadows: "We just didn't know each other well enough."

The second time around, she married a man much like her father. Her second marriage, which began on March 21, 1993 and ended in 1994, was to Rev. Andre Woods, a minister in Michigan. ''Jet'' magazine covered the marriage in one of its issues. Though Woods was a charismatic Detroit preacher, she subsequently said that even so, he was a player who also ran through her money. Still, Holliday was devastated when, in 1994, that marriage, too, ended, just four months after her mother died of cancer. "It was like experiencing two deaths at the same time," Jennifer remembered. "The grief was overwhelming." As of late February 2011, she was residing in Atlanta, Georgia.

Holliday received a Doctor of Music ''honoris causa'' from Berklee College of Music, Boston in 2000. In 2001 she was presenter for the tap dance show "21 Below" at Town Hall in NYC and also headlined Equity Cares/Broadway Fights Aids' "Nothing Like a Dame" show at the St. James Theatre where she was accompanied by teenage tap dance sensation Michela Marino Lerman and Hannah Leah Dunn.

Musical Style[link]

Voice[link]

Jennifer Holliday possesses a versatile vocal range of Dramatic Contralto and Mezzo-soprano style. She is also known for her signature and powerful Grrr belting. Holliday blew everyone away in 1982 Tony Awards performance of "And I'm telling you I'm not going" she received a standing ovation. More of her power was seen at her appearance in a 1987 Gospel Sessions, where she did an earth shaking rendition of "His Eye is on the Sparrow".

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

1983 ''Feel My Soul'' #31 U.S. Billboard 200, #6 U.S. Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums

1985 ''Say You Love Me'' #110 U.S., #34 U.S. R&B;

1987 ''Get Close to My Love''

1991 ''I'm On Your Side'' #184 U.S., #29 U.S. R&B;

1995 ''On & On'' #10 U.S. Top Gospel Albums

1996 ''The Best of Jennifer Holliday'' #50 U.S.

2000 ''20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jennifer Holliday''

2006 ''Duet with Najiyah - Through The Storm''

2011 ''Goodness and Mercy''

Singles[link]

Year	Single	Peak chart positions	Album
!width="40"	!width="40"	!width="40"	!width="40"
	"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"					rowspan="2"
"I Am Changing"
	"I Am Love"
"Just Let Me Wait"
	"Hard Time for Lovers"					rowspan="2"
"No Frills Love"
1987	"Heart on the Line"					''Get Close to My Love''
	"I'm on Your Side"
"Love Stories"
1996	"No Frills Love"					''The Best of Jennifer Holliday''
	"A Woman's Got the Power"					''Breaking Through''
"Think It Over"					''Divine Divas''
2001	"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Rosabel with Jennifer Holliday)
	"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Jennifer Holliday with Rosabel)
"Givin' Up"					''Why Did I Get Married?'' soundtrack
	"God is Faithful"					''Goodness and Mercy''

Awards and nominations[link]

;Awards

1982 Theatre Awards Outstanding Broadway Debut – ''Dreamgirls''

1982 Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical – ''Dreamgirls''

1982 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical – ''Dreamgirls''

1983 Grammy Award Best Female Performance, Rhythm & Blues – "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from ''Dreamgirls''

1985 Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance, Gospel – "Come Sunday"

;Nominations

1981 Drama Desk Award or Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – ''Your Arms Too Short to Box with God''

1983 Grammy Award Best New Artist

See also[link]

List of number-one dance hits (United States)

List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References[link]

External links[link]

Performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the 1982 Tony Awards

Reference 1:Essence June 1999: Jennifer Holliday On Her 2 Failed Marriages

Reference 2: Nov 1991 Ebony Magazine: Jennifer Holliday About Her Weight Loss

Reference 3: USA Today February 22, 2007: Jennifer Holliday On the "Dreamgirls" Movie and Jennifer Hudson

TonyAwards.com Interview with Jennifer Holiday

The Official Net-Site Of Jennifer Holliday

Category:African American musicians Category:American female singers Category:American house musicians Category:American musical theatre actors Category:American pop singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American soul singers Category:American gospel singers Category:Drama Desk Award winners Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Theatre World Award winners Category:Tony Award winners Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:People from Walker County, Texas

de:Jennifer Holliday it:Jennifer Holliday sr:Џенифер Холидеј

name	Jordin Sparks
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jordin Brianna Sparks
birth date	December 22, 1989
birth place	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
genre	R&B;, pop, pop rock, dance-pop
origin	Glendale, Arizona
instrument	Vocals, guitar
occupation	Singer-songwriter, actress
years active	2007–present
label	Jive/19 (2007-2011) RCA/19 (2011-Present)
website	}}

Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American pop / R&B; recording artist, songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of ''American Idol''. She hails from Glendale, Arizona. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in ''Idol'' history and the last female to win ''American Idol''. She followed her ''American Idol'' victory with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2007, which has gone platinum in the U.S. and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Sparks' single, "No Air" is the highest-selling single by any ''American Idol'' contestant, selling over 3 million digital copies in the U.S. and Canada. Due to the success of her debut album and its four top 20 singles, she has received numerous awards and nominations including an American Music Award in 2008 and her first Grammy nomination in 2009. In 2009, ''Billboard'' magazine's 91st-best-selling music artist of the 2000–2009 decade.

Sparks made guest appearances on several television series in the following years, beginning with ''The Suite Life On Deck''. Sparks' second album ''Battlefield'' was released in July 2009 worldwide and debuted at number seven in the U.S., three spots higher than her first album. The album's lead single, also titled "Battlefield", peaked in the top 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making it her third top 10 single and fifth consecutive top 20 single. Sparks is the only Idol contestant to have their first five singles reach the top 20 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. "Battlefield" has sold almost 2 million copies worldwide. ''Battlefield's'' second single, "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", was her first song to top the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play making it her first U.S. number one single. Sparks followed her success in 2010 by making her debut on Broadway. Sparks starred as Nina Rosario in the Tony Award winning broadway musical, ''In The Heights''. She will make her film debut in the remake of ''Sparkle'', co-starring Grammy Award/Emmy Award-winner Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter. According to Billboard.com, Sparks has sold 1,300,000 albums and 9,883,000 tracks in the United States as of February 2012, making her one of the most successful idol winners. In 2012, VH1 included Sparks in its list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music and ranked her at #92. ''People'' named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.

Biography[link]

Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann Sparks and former professional football player Phillippi Sparks. Sparks has a younger brother, Phillippi "PJ" Sparks, Jr., who plays football for the Fighting Sioux at the University of North Dakota. She grew up in the suburbs of Ridgewood, New Jersey, while her father played as a defensive back for the New York Giants. After living in New Jersey, Sparks attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix through the eighth grade. Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006, when she was homeschooled to better concentrate on her singing. Sparks is an evangelical Christian and attends Calvary Community Church in Phoenix. On her ''American Idol'' biography, she thanks her parents and God for her win. She won an award for best young artist of the year in Arizona for three years.

Before appearing on ''American Idol'', Sparks participated in and won such talent competitions as Coca-Cola's Rising Star, the Gospel Music Association Academy's Overall Spotlight Award, ''America's Most Talented Kids'', Colgate Country Showdown, and the ''2006 Drug Free AZ Superstar Search''. Prior to ''Idol'', Sparks frequently performed the national anthem at various local sporting events, notably for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Sparks also appeared with Alice Cooper in his 2004 Christmas show and toured with Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith in 2006. In 2006, Sparks was one of six winners of the Phoenix Torrid search for the "Next Plus Size Model". She was flown to California, where she was used in a number of Torrid ads and promotional pieces. A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of ''Seventeen'' magazine.

On June 15, 2011, Sparks had her first-ever bikini shoot for the cover of ''People'''s Most Amazing Bodies issue. When speaking about her weight loss and diet to Access Hollywood, Sparks said, "My diet has pretty much remained the same, like if I want a piece of bread, I’m gonna have a piece of bread, but I’m making healthier decisions like instead of a bag of chips for a snack, I’ll see if I can find an apple. I’ve also upped my intake of vegetables and I’m drinking a lot more water."

''American Idol''[link]

In the summer of 2006, Sparks auditioned twice for the sixth season of ''American Idol'': once in Los Angeles but failed to make it past the first round, and again in Seattle after winning ''Arizona Idol'', a talent competition conducted by Phoenix Fox station KSAZ-TV. The Seattle audition is the one seen in the January 17, 2007, broadcast of ''American Idol'', in which she earned a "gold ticket" and the right to appear in the Hollywood Round. ''American Idol'' judge Randy Jackson made the offhand prediction that, "Curly hair will win this year." While on the show, Sparks gained a loyal fan base known as "Sparkplugs". On May 23, 2007, Sparks was crowned the winner of the sixth season of ''American Idol''. She remains the youngest winner in ''American Idol'' history. Cowell said, "Jordin was the most improved over the whole season – didn't start the best, but midway through this was the girl who suddenly got momentum." He included that "Young girl, likeable, and the singer won over the entertainer [Lewis]." Four selected songs Sparks had performed on ''American Idol'', including the season's coronation song, "This Is My Now", were made available on her self-titled EP, released on May 22, 2007, the day before the grand finale. The coronation song, "This Is My Now" peaked at number fifteen on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Sparks' first top fifteen hit on the chart. The following summer, Sparks took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 from July 6 to September 23, 2007, along with other contestants in the top ten.

Since her win in 2007, Sparks has returned to Idol five times. She performed twice on the seventh season of ''American Idol'', once on the Idol Gives Back results show singing "No Air" with Chris Brown and again with "One Step at a Time" on May 21, 2008, for the finale. She performed "Battlefield" on the May 13, 2009, episode of ''American Idol''. The following year, Sparks took part in a tribute to Simon Cowell with other former contestants at the Season 9 finale on May 26, 2010. Most recently, during Season 10, Sparks performed her new song "I Am Woman" on the Top 4 results show.

Performances/results[link]

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Recording career [link]

2007–2008: ''Jordin Sparks''[link]

After winning ''American Idol'', Sparks signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records, becoming the first Idol winner to join the label. On August 27, 2007, she released her debut single, "Tattoo", which peaked at number eight on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Sparks' first top ten hit on the chart. The song certified platinum in the United States and Australia. To date, "Tattoo" has sold over two million copies in the U.S.

Sparks released her self-titled debut studio album on November 20, 2007, which debuted at number ten on the ''Billboard'' 200. To date, it has sold over a million copies in the U.S and was certified platinum by the RIAA. "No Air", a duet with Chris Brown, was released as the second single from the album in February 2008. In the United States, the song peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 becoming Sparks' best-charting single to date. It was also her first song to appear on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it reached number four. To date, the song has sold over three million copies in the U.S, making Sparks the first ''American Idol'' contestant to reach the three million mark. It also became Brown's first song to hit three million. "No Air" also charted in Australia and New Zealand, where it reached number one, receiving platinum certifications in both countries.

On February 3, 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII. She performed in a tribute to Aretha Franklin at the NAACP Awards in February, as well. She had previously performed in a tribute to Diana Ross in December 2007.

In support of the album, Sparks opened for Alicia Keys on the North America leg of her As I Am Tour, starting on April 19, 2008. Before the tour, a career-threatening throat injury forced Sparks to cancel a few weeks of the shows. Officials revealed she was suffering an acute vocal cord hemorrhage and was ordered strict vocal rest until the condition improved. Sparks was back on the road by April 30, 2008 and remained on the tour until June 18, 2008. Sparks later joined Keys for the tour leg in Australia and New Zealand in December 2008.

The album's third single, "One Step at a Time", was released in June 2008. It peaked at number seventeen on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, giving Sparks her fourth top twenty hit on the chart. This makes Sparks the only ''American Idol'' contestant to have her first four singles reach the top twenty of the Hot 100. It also charted in the top twenty in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In New Zealand, the song reached number two and was certified gold by the RIANZ. In August 2008, Sparks co-headlined the Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour with Jesse McCartney in the United States.

Sparks received two MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Female Video for "No Air" and Best New Artist at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. While at the awards show, Sparks caused controversy by responding to a joke made by host Russell Brand during his opening monologue, in which he held up a silver ring, claiming to have relieved one of the Jonas Brothers of their virginity, saying he would "take them more seriously if they wore it (the ring) around their genitals". Sparks who also wears a promise ring, began her introduction of T.I. and Rihanna by saying "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." In response to the controversy over her "slut" remark, Sparks told ''Entertainment Weekly'' that she doesn't regret the remark, commenting that "I wish I would've worded it differently – that somebody who doesn't wear a promise ring isn't necessarily a slut – but I can't take it back now." At the 2008 American Music Awards, Sparks won the award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category.

2009–2010: ''Battlefield''[link]

On January 20, 2009, Sparks performed "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball, hosted by President Barack Obama. Her second studio album, ''Battlefield'' was released in the United States on July 21, 2009. The album's title track was released as the lead single on May 25, 2009, and reached number ten on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The song peaked in the top five in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In the United States, ''Battlefield'' debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200, peaking higher than her debut album's position of number ten. However, the album was notably unsuccessful compared to her debut, only selling 177,000 copies in the U.S and having failed to earn any chart certificates.

In support of the album, Sparks opened for The Jonas Brothers on the North America leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009, starting on June 20, 2009. She also opened for Britney Spears on the second leg of her Circus Tour in North America, beginning on August 24, 2009. Sparks served as a replacement for Ciara.

"S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", was released as the second single from ''Battlefield'' on September 15, 2009. The song topped the U.S Hot Dance Club Songs chart, becoming Sparks' first number one on the chart and peaked in the top fifteen in the United Kingdom. During this time, she recorded the duet, "Art of Love", with Australian artist Guy Sebastian for his fifth studio album, ''Like It Like That''. The song reached the top ten in Australia and New Zealand and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The third single from ''Battlefield'', "Don't Let It Go to Your Head", was released in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2010. The song reached a peak of number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.

In May 2010, Sparks embarked on her first headlining tour in the United States, the Battlefield Tour. It began on May 1, 2010, and ended on July 18, 2010, stopping in over 35 major cities in the United States. In support of the DVD/Blu-ray re-release of the Disney animated film, ''Beauty and the Beast'', Sparks recorded a cover of the film's title track for the soundtrack. A music video for the song was released on October 18, 2010.

2010–present: Third studio album & film debut[link]

In a October 2010 interview, Sparks revealed she had begun working on her third studio album. During an interview with ''Good Day New York'' in November 2010, Sparks confirmed she would be recording the album in New York and Arizona. In January 2011, it was reported that Sparks and John Legend were working on songs together in the studio. In March 2011, Sparks recorded a music video for a song called "The World I Knew" for the film, ''African Cats'', which was released on April 22, 2011. To support her new single, Sparks served as an opening act for the NKOTBSB summer tour. On May 5, 2011, it was revealed that Sparks' lead single for her forthcoming album is titled "I Am Woman". On May 12, 2011, Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on the ''American Idol'' Top 4 results show. "I Am Woman" debuted on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number eighty-two with 33,000 downloads sold. It also debuted on the US ''Billboard'' Digital Songs at number fifty-seven. Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on ''Regis and Kelly'' on June 14. Sparks also contributed background vocals to Demi Lovato's lead single "Skyscraper" from her third studio album. Sparks stated in an August 2011 interview there is no scheduled release date yet. A song titled "You Gotta Want It" will be part of an NFL compilation album entitled Official Gameday Music of the NFL Vol. 2. According to reports, the song will be available to download on iTunes and Amazon next week on September 27. The song is co-written by Chris Weaver and Matthew J. Rogers, while being produced by Cash Money Records’ Cool & Dre. On November 14, 2011, it was announced that Sparks recorded a original song called "Angels Are Singing" as a part of ABC Family's "12 Dates of Christmas".

On September 12, 2011, it was announced that Sparks will be making her film debut playing the lead role in the music-themed pic ''Sparkle'', a remake of the 1976 film inspired by the story of The Supremes. The remake will be set in 1968 Detroit, during the rise of Motown. The story will focus on the youngest sister, a music prodigy named Sparkle Williams (Sparks), and her struggle to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart.

On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding Jive Records along with Arista Records and J Records. With the shutdown, Sparks (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release her future material (including her upcoming third studio album) on the RCA Records brand.

On February 29th, 2012 Sparks' boyfriend Jason Derulo took to twitter announcing the official remix of his single "It Girl" featuring Sparks. There was a video released with the remix, which shows home videos, of Jason and Jordin together as well as pictures.

Other ventures [link]

Clothing line[link]

In April 2008, it was announced that Sparks would team up with cosmetics company, Avon, to become a spokesperson for the teen-focused line ''Mark''. In November 2008, Sparks teamed up with Wet Seal to create her own clothing line. The collection, appropriately named 'Sparks', began with an assortment of holiday dresses delivering to stores just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend. The line launched on November 19, 2008 and comes in sizes XS to XL. Sparks said, "I am so excited that Wet Seal and I have been able to create a line of clothing that will appeal to more girls than ever before."

Acting[link]

In 2009, she made her acting debut on Disney's ''The Suite Life on Deck'', guest starring as herself in the "Crossing Jordin" episode. The episode aired on October 23, 2009. Sparks also guest starred on the hit Nickelodeon show, ''Big Time Rush''. The episode aired on June 18, 2010. In addition, Sparks did a voice over on ''Team Umizoomi'' as the Blue Mermaid. The episode aired on May 13, 2011.

Broadway[link]

On May 3, 2010, it was announced that Sparks would join the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "In the Heights" as Nina Rosario. Sparks took part in the production from August 19 through November 14 for a consecutive 12 weeks.

Fragrance[link]

In October 2010, Sparks released her debut fragrance "Because of You...." This fragrance is currently being exclusively distributed at Dots, but by November will spread to other retail stores. The perfume is described as a "fruity floriental perfume" consisting of notes of "clementine, white imperial currant and orange blossom; a heart of nectarine, sharry baby orchid and coral charm peony; and a drydown of sheer musks, vanilla bean, Baltic amber and blond woods." Sparks wanted this product to be affordable for her fans, yet still high end. "When I was starting this project, I really wanted it to be affordable. I looked at some other celebrity fragrances, and they were like $80. Even now, I look at a fragrance that's $80, and I can't bring myself to spend that much." In March 2012, due To the success of her first fragrance, Because of You..., Sparks' released her second fragrance 'Fascinate' exclusively with Dots Fashions.

Philanthropy [link]

In 2007, Sparks was asked by a relative who works for SOS Children's Villages USA in Florida to design a denim jacket festooned with Swarovski Crystal to support orphans. In February 2008, Sparks traveled to Ghana. She was part of the delegation of former U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush to help with Malaria No More, an organization with a goal to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Sparks joined Mrs. Bush at the Maamobi Polyclinic, where the First Lady donated a number of treated bed nets to some local female traders in order to help combat the scourge of malaria in Ghana. While there, Sparks sang "Amazing Grace" to the durbar of chiefs who had gathered at the venue to give audience to Laura Bush. Sparks said, "Traveling to Ghana with Malaria No More gives me the incredible opportunity to see for myself what a difference a simple mosquito net can make in the life of a child."

In 2008, Sparks supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign by filming a public service announcement explaining the nationwide school supplies drive project. She further supported the campaign by helping out at the Do Something 101 School Supply Volunteer Event held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

On May 20, 2009, Sparks became an endorser for the Got Milk? campaign, an American advertising campaign encouraging the consumption of cow's milk. On September 17, 2009, Sparks took part in the VH1 Divas special, a concert created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation. The concert was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York where Sparks performed the second single from her Battlefield album, S.O.S. (Let the Music Play), as well as "A Broken Wing" with Martina McBride. In February 2010, Sparks was one of the many artists who contributed to "We Are the World 25 for Haiti", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Sparks teamed up with Pennyroyal Silver creator and designer, Tim Foster, to create her very own necklace design for the company's signature collection. Proceeds of the necklace funded medical units in Haiti.

On February 3, 2010, Sparks and David Archuleta performed at the "X the TXT" event, held at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. All proceeds raised by the event went to a number of charities, including the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. The following day both Sparks and Archuleta delivered teddy bears to children at the hospital. In June 2010, the "Thumbs Up to X the TXT" pledge campaign, established by "The Allstate Corporation", made its way to Sparks' Battlefield Tour, presented by Mike & Ike to encourage teens and their families not to text while driving. Fans at Sparks' concerts made a pledge not to text and drive by adding their thumbprint to a traveling banner at each of her shows. The campaign began at Sparks' Battlefield Tour on June 3, 2010 and ended on July 18, 2010. Sparks is the main spokesperson for the "I’m M.A.D., Are You?" campaign. She also supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps to raise money for children with cancer. Sparks traveled to Louisiana in June 2010 to visit the Gulf Coast oil spill with the Audubon Society to view the effects of the oil spill on the wildlife and marshes. Sparks is also is a member of the National Youth Leadership Committee for the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration, along with Nick Jonas, Genevieve Ryan, and Brodi Conover.

On July 28, 2011, Sparks performed a live surprise concert in Times Square. Sparks was named the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador" in 2011. It was announced on November 9, 2011, that Sparks would be titled as a 'Vh1 Save the Music Ambassador' again for 2012. Sparks is joined by fellow American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, Lupe Fiasco, Katy Perry and others.

Discography[link]

; Studio albums

2007: ''Jordin Sparks''

2009: ''Battlefield''

; EPs

2006: ''For Now''

2007: ''Jordin Sparks (EP)''

Tours[link]

Headlining

2010: Battlefield Tour

Joint tours

2007: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007

2008: Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour

Opening act

2008: As I Am Tour

2009: Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009

2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears

2011: NKOTBSB Tour

Awards and nominations[link]

!Year	!Award	!Category	!Result
2007	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Female Reality/Variety Star
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding New Artist
BET Pre-Awards	Best Heartbreak Video ("No Air")
	Viewer's Choice ("No Air")
Beautiful Face Award
	Choice Hook-Up ("No Air")
Choice Love Song ("No Air")
Choice Breakout Artist
	Best Female Video ("No Air")
Best New Artist
American Music Awards	Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist
rowspan="2"	Favorite Pop Song ("No Air")
Favorite Combined Forces ("No Air")
MTV Australia Awards	Best Collaboration ("No Air")
2010

Filmography[link]

!Year	!Title	!Role	!Notes
2009	''The Suite Life On Deck''	Herself
	''Big Time Rush''	Herself		List of Big Time Rush episodes>Big Time Sparks"
''When I Was 17''	Herself		Episode: 16
''In the Heights''	Nina Rosario		Broadway Musical
rowspan="3"	2011	''BrainSurge''	Herself	Guest Star
''Team Umizoomi''	Blue Mermaid	Voiceover
''Majors & Minors''	Herself		Mentor
2012		Sparkle Williams		Lead Role for Remake

References[link]

External links[link]

Jordin Sparks in In the Heights

Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American Christians Category:African American musicians Category:African American film actors Category:African American guitarists Category:American child singers Category:American evangelicals Category:American female guitarists Category:American female models Category:American Idol winners Category:American musicians of German descent Category:English-language singers Category:Jive Records artists Category:RCA Records artists Category:Musicians from Arizona Category:People from Glendale, Arizona Category:People from Phoenix, Arizona

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