A bottle of Excedrin with some of the tablets.

Excedrin is an over-the-counter headache pain reliever, typically in the form of tablets or caplets. It contains acetaminophen (paracetamol), aspirin, and caffeine. Until late 2005 it was manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, but in July 2005 it was purchased by (and is now produced by) Novartis, along with other products from BMS's over-the-counter business. It is one of the top ten selling over-the-counter medicine brands in the United States.^[1]

The brand became known for advertisements in which Excedrin cured especially unpleasant and excruciating headaches (which were termed in the advertisements as "Excedrin headaches," later called "Excedrin tension headaches"). The advertisements, which first started in the 1960s,^[2] continue today.

In 2007, the brand branched out into marketing for other types of pains with the introduction of Excedrin Back & Body, which removed the caffeine from the normal mixture.

Versions[link]

Over the years, different types of the drug were introduced:^[3][4]

• 1960 Excedrin Extra Strength (the formula changed for the last time in 1978)^[5]1 In 1960, Bristol-Myers Squibb introduced Excedrin Extra Strength for headaches, the first multi-ingredient formulation headache treatment product.^[6] Contains 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine
• 1969 Excedrin PM The first headache and sleeping pill combined product.^[6] Contains 500 mg acetaminophen and 38 mg diphenhydramine citrate as a sleep aid, the same active ingredients as Tylenol PM, which was introduced several years later.
• 1998 Excedrin Migraine¹ At the beginning of 1998, the FDA granted clearance to market Excedrin Migraine for the relief of migraine headache pain and associated symptoms. Excedrin Migraine continued the trend of marketing pain products for specific types of pain, becoming the first migraine headache medication available to consumers without a prescription,^[7] even though it has identical ingredients to the regular Excedrin Extra Strength product, 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine.
• 2003 Excedrin Tension Headache Contains 500 mg acetaminophen and 65 mg caffeine.
• 2005 Excedrin Sinus Headache Contains 325 mg acetaminophen and 5 mg phenylephrine HCl as a decongestant.
• 2007 Excedrin Back and Body A dual-ingredient formula claiming that it "works two ways—as a pain reliever and a pain blocker right where it hurts". Contains 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg aspirin.^[8]

As with all medications containing acetaminophen, the use of alcohol with Excedrin carries a significant risk of hepatotoxicity. Additionally, aspirin usage is associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ownership[link]

In 2005, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced the sale of its North American consumer medicine business (including Excedrin, Comtrex and Keri brands) to Novartis for $660 million, in order to focus on drugs for the ten most profitable disease areas.^[1]

Other drugs containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine[link]

Excedrin is not available in some regions of the world. There are other prescription drugs containing the same ingredients. These are in Germany Chephapyrin, dolomo, Dolopyrin, HA-Tabletten N, Melabon, Neuralgin, Novo Petrin, ratiopyrin, Thomapyrin CLASSIC, Thomapyrin INTENSIV, TITRALGAN, in Austria Thomapyrin, InfluASS, Irocophan, and in Russia Citramon.

See also[link]

• Stella Nickell, who tampered with Excedrin tablets^[9]

References[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2009)

Elisabeth Moss
Moss at the International Press Academy's 12th Annual Satellite Awards, December 16, 2007
Born	(1982-07-24) July 24, 1982 (age 29) Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Fred Armisen (m. 2009–2011)

Elisabeth Singleton Moss^[1] (born July 24, 1982) is an American actor. Her notable roles include that of Zoey Bartlet, the third and youngest daughter of President Jed Bartlet, on the NBC television series The West Wing (1999–2006), and secretary turned copywriter Peggy Olson on the AMC original series Mad Men (2007–present).

Early life and career[link]

Elisabeth Moss was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of musicians.^[2] She was first seen onscreen in 1990, when she appeared in the television film Bar Girls.

From 1992 until 1995, Moss appeared in seven episodes of the TV series Picket Fences, as Cynthia Parks. In 1993, she provided the voice of Michelle in the animated film Once Upon a Forest. That year, she appeared in the television remake of Gypsy, which starred Bette Midler. In 1994, Moss played Harvey Keitel's younger daughter in the film Imaginary Crimes. The following year, she appeared in the remake of the Walt Disney Pictures film Escape to Witch Mountain, and as a young Ashley Judd in the TV-movie biopic Love Can Build A Bridge, about the life and career of mother-and-daughter country music duo The Judds.

From 1999 to 2006, she played Zoey Bartlet in 25 episodes of the White House TV drama The West Wing. In 1999, she had a supporting role as a patient in a mental institution in Girl, Interrupted, opposite Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. That same year, she had a small role as Katie Brockett in the movie Mumford, playing the daughter of a woman with a shopping addiction. Moss went on to do Heart of America and three other films in 2004 before making the movie Virgin, for which she was nominated for a 2004 Independent Spirit Award. She also appeared in the film Day Zero.

She had a role in the 2005-06 science fiction series Invasion, and a 2007 episode of Grey's Anatomy entitled "My Favorite Mistake".

Since July 2007, she has played secretary turned copywriter Peggy Olson on the AMC dramatic series Mad Men, about Madison Avenue professionals. In 2009 and 2011, Moss was nominated for an Emmy^[3] for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.^[4][5]

Moss made her Broadway début in October 2008, playing the role of Karen in the 20th Anniversary revival of Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet.^[6] She also starred in the 2008 horror film The Attic, and appeared in Did You Hear About the Morgans?, playing Sarah Jessica Parker's assistant.^[7] Moss's West End début was as Martha Dobie, starring alongside Keira Knightley in Lillian Hellman's play The Children's Hour which opened at The Comedy Theatre, London on Saturday 22 Jan 2011.^[8]

Moss plays detective Robin Griffin in the 2012 BBC mini-series Top of the Lake, which also stars Holly Hunter and Lucy Lawless.^[9][10]

Personal life[link]

Moss became engaged to Saturday Night Live star Fred Armisen in January 2009,^[11] and married him on October 25, 2009 in Long Island City, New York.^[12] Moss and Armisen separated in June 2010, and she filed for divorce on September 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences.^[13] The divorce was finalized on May 13, 2011.^[14] In a March 2012 interview, Moss commented on her relationship with Armisen, saying "one of the greatest things I heard someone say about him is, 'He's so great at doing impersonations. But the greatest impersonation he does is that of a normal person.' To me, that sums it up."^[9]

Moss is a Scientologist.^[15]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Elisabeth Moss

• Elisabeth Moss at the Internet Movie Database

Debbie Allen
Allen in December 2010
Born	Deborrah Kaye Allen (1950-01-16) January 16, 1950 (age 62) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, choreographer, television director, television producer
Years active	1976–present
Spouse	Win Wilford (m. 1975–1983) «start: (1975)–end+1: (1984)»"Marriage: Win Wilford to Debbie Allen" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Debbie_Allen) Norm Nixon (m. 1984) «start: (1984)»"Marriage: Norm Nixon to Debbie Allen" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Debbie_Allen)
Website
http://www.debbieallendanceacademy.com

Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen (born January 16, 1950) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.^[1][2] She is perhaps best known for her work on the 1982 musical-drama television series Fame, where she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant, and served as the series' principal choreographer. She is the younger sister of actress/singer Phylicia Rashād.

Life and career[link]

Early years[link]

Allen was born in Houston, Texas, the youngest of four children to orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen Sr. and Vivian (née Ayers) Allen, she is a poet (Spice of Dawns and other books) and museum art director.^[3]

She went on to earn a B.A. degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University. She holds honoris causa Doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She currently teaches young dancers. She also taught choreography to former Los Angeles Lakers dancer-turned-singer, Paula Abdul. Her daughter, Vivian Nixon, played Kalimba in the Broadway production of Hot Feet.

Career[link]

Debbie Allen had her Broadway debut in the chorus of Purlie. Allen also created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical Raisin. She first began receiving critical attention in 1980 for her appearance in the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story which earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award, she would receive a second Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity. One of her earlier television appearances was in the TV sitcom Good Times in a memorable 2-part episode titled "J.J's Fiancee'" as J.J's drug-addicted fiancee, Diana.

Allen was first introduced as Lydia Grant in the 1980 film Fame. Although her role in the film was relatively small, Lydia would become a central figure in the television adaptation, which ran from 1982 to 1987. During the opening montage of each episode, Grant told her students: "You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat." Allen was nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Actress four times during the show's run. She is the only actress to have appeared in all three screen incarnations of Fame, playing Lydia Grant in both the 1980 film and 1982 television series and playing the school principal in the 2009 remake.^{[citation needed]}

Allen was also lead choreographer for the film and television series, winning two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe Award.In an article from the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the Hollywood Reporter commented on Allen's impact as the producer-director of the television series, A Different World. The show dealt with the life of students at the fictional historically black college, Hillman, and ran for six seasons on NBC.^[4]

Debbie Allen was also selected to appear in the 1979 miniseries Roots: The Next Generations by Alex Haley where she plays the wife of Alex Haley.

In 2008 she directed the all-African-American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring stage veterans James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), her sister Phylicia Rashād (Big Mama) and Anika Noni Rose (Maggie, the Cat), as well as film actor Terrence Howard, who made his Broadway debut as Brick. The production, with some roles recast, had a limited run (2009-April 2010) in London.^[5]

Allen has released two solo albums, 1986's Sweet Charity and 1989's Special Look which also had several singles off the album. In 2001, Allen fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California. Allen's academy offers a comprehensive curriculum for boys and girls ages four to eighteen in all the major dance techniques including Classical Ballet, Modern, African, jazz, and Hip-Hop. In addition special workshops are held for concentration in the Peking Opera, Martial Arts dance techniques, Flamenco, Salsa, and Tap.

Debbie Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as from her Alma Mater, Howard University.

Awards and honors[link]

• Allen was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.^[6]

• For her contributions to the television industry, Debbie Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• Allen was presented with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, at the 1992 UCLA Spring Sing.^[7]

• Three-time Emmy Award winner for Choreography for the series Fame and The Motown 25th Anniversary Special.

• 10 Image Awards as a director, actress, choreographer and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special and Amistad.

Personal life[link]

Allen is married to former NBA player Norm Nixon,^[8] and they are the parents of dancer Vivian Nichole Nixon, and basketball player Norman Ellard Nixon Jr. (Wofford College & Southern University). Allen was previously married to Win Wilford from 1975 to 1983.^[9][10][11]

She is the sister of actress Phylicia Rashād, and Tex Allen (Andrew Arthur Allen Jr, born 1945), noted jazz composer.^[3]

Work[link]

2004 Dreams- Children's Theater at The Kennedy Center Washington DC 2006 Pearl- Children's Theater at the Kennedy Center Washington DC

See also[link]

• The Kids from "Fame"

References[link]

External links[link]

• Debbie Allen | PlaybillVault.com
• Debbie Allen at the Internet Broadway Database
• Debbie Allen at the Internet Movie Database
• Debbie Allen at AllRovi
• Debbie Allen on Twitter

Jordin Sparks
Sparks in the American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World in 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Jordin Brianna Sparks
Born	(1989-12-22) December 22, 1989 (age 22) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Origin	Glendale, Arizona
Genres	R&B, pop, pop rock, dance-pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Jive/19 (2007-2011) RCA/19 (2011-Present)
Website	jordinsparks.com

Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989)^[1] 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 remains 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.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6] In 2012, VH1 included Sparks in its list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music and ranked her at #92.^[7] People named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.^[8]

Biography[link]

Early life and career beginnings[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.^[9] 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.^[10] 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.^[11] A full-page ad for Torrid featuring Sparks ran in the December 2006 issue of Seventeen magazine.

On June 16, 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."^[12][13][14]

[edit] 2006: American Idol

Sparks performing at the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007.

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,^[15] 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."^[16] 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]."^[17] 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.^[18] 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.^[19] 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

[edit] 2007–2008: Jordin Sparks

Sparks during a concert in Kansas City.

Sparks in Badgley Mischka.

After winning American Idol, Sparks signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records, becoming the first Idol winner to join the label.^[20] On August 27, 2007, she released her debut single, "Tattoo",^[21] which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Sparks' first top ten hit on the chart.^[19] The song certified platinum in the United States^[22] and Australia.^[23] To date, "Tattoo" has sold over two million copies in the U.S.^[24]

Sparks released her self-titled debut studio album on November 20, 2007,^[25] which debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200. To date, it has sold over a million copies in the U.S^[26] and was certified platinum by the RIAA.^[22] "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.^[19] It was also her first song to appear on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it reached number four.^[19] 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.^[3] It also became Brown's first song to hit three million. "No Air" also charted in Australia^[27] and New Zealand,^[28] where it reached number one, receiving platinum certifications in both countries.^[23][29]

On February 3, 2008, Sparks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII.^[30] 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.^[31] 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.^[32] 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.^[33][34]

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.^[19] 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,^[27] Canada,^[19] and the United Kingdom.^[35] In New Zealand, the song reached number two^[28] and was certified gold by the RIANZ.^[29] In August 2008, Sparks co-headlined the Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour with Jesse McCartney in the United States.^[36]

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.^[37] 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,^[38] 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."^[39] At the 2008 American Music Awards, Sparks won the award for Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary Category.^[40]

[edit] 2009–2010: Battlefield

Sparks performing "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009.

Sparks during Battlefield Tour.

On January 20, 2009, Sparks performed "Faith" at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball, hosted by President Barack Obama.^[41] Her second studio album, Battlefield was released in the United States on July 21, 2009.^[42] The album's title track was released as the lead single on May 25, 2009, and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.^[19] The song peaked in the top five in Australia,^[27] Canada,^[19] and New Zealand.^[28] 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^[26] 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.^[43] She also opened for Britney Spears on the second leg of her Circus Tour in North America, beginning on August 24, 2009.^[44] 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.^[45] The song topped the U.S Hot Dance Club Songs chart, becoming Sparks' first number one on the chart^[19] and peaked in the top fifteen in the United Kingdom.^[35] 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^[27] and New Zealand^[28] and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.^[46] The third single from Battlefield, "Don't Let It Go to Your Head", was released in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2010.^[47] The song reached a peak of number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart despite no physical release.^{[citation needed]}

In May 2010, Sparks embarked on her first headlining tour in the United States, the Battlefield Tour.^[48] 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.^[49] A music video for the song was released on October 18, 2010.^[50]

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

In a October 2010 interview, Sparks revealed she had begun working on her third studio album.^[51] During an interview with Good Day New York in November 2010, Sparks confirmed she would be recording the album in New York and Arizona.^[52] In January 2011, it was reported that Sparks and John Legend were working on songs together in the studio.^[53] 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.^[54] To support her new single, Sparks served as an opening act for the NKOTBSB summer tour.^[55] On May 5, 2011, it was revealed that Sparks' lead single for her forthcoming album is titled "I Am Woman".^[56] On May 12, 2011, Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on the American Idol Top 4 results show.^[57] "I Am Woman" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number eighty-two with 33,000 downloads sold.^[58][59] It also debuted on the US Billboard Digital Songs at number fifty-seven.^[60] Sparks performed "I Am Woman" on Regis and Kelly on June 14.^[61][62][63] 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.^[64] 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.^[65] 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".^[66]

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.^[67][68]

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.^[69][70] On February 29, 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.^[71][72]

On May 21, 2012, "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded with Sparks, will premiere at RyanSeacrest.com. The song will be featured on the Sparkle soundtrack.^[73] The movie, starring both Sparks and Houston, will be released on August 17 in the United States. It is scheduled for digital download on iTunes on June 5th.^[74]

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."^[75]

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.^[76][77] Sparks also guest starred on the hit Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush. The episode aired on June 18, 2010.^[78] In addition, Sparks did a voice over on Team Umizoomi as the Blue Mermaid. The episode aired on May 13, 2011.^[79]

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.^[80]

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."^[81] In March 2012, due To the success of her first fragrance, Because of You..., Sparks' released her second fragrance 'Fascinate' exclusively with Dots Fashions.^[82][83]

Philanthropy[link]

Former US President George W. Bush congratulates Sparks after she sang the U.S. National Anthem during the welcome for President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush to the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Ghana

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.^[84] 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."^[85]

In 2008, Sparks supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign by filming a public service announcement explaining the nationwide school supplies drive project.^[86] 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.^[87]

On May 20, 2009, Sparks became an endorser for the Got Milk? campaign, an American advertising campaign encouraging the consumption of cow's milk.^[88][89] On September 17, 2009, Sparks took part in the VH1 Divas special, a concert created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation.^[90] 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.^[91] 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.^[92]

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.^[93] 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.^[94] 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.^[95] 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.^[96] 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.^[97][98] 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.^[99]

Discography[link]

Tours[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

References[link]