Jordin Sparks: The Battlefield Tour

(Jordin Sparks-the Battlefield tour used with permission)

Jordin Sparks: The Battlefield Tour

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

She really doesn’t need an introduction or a list of all of her achievements. Jordin Sparks is a bona-fide pop star after winning American Idol and releasing two albums. She has toured with Britney Spears, the Jonas Brothers, and Alicia Keys, to name a few. Now she is headlining her own tour to over thirty theaters across the country, ending on July 18th. The tour is already in its second half, so to find out more about the tour, visit www.jordinsparks.com, and read on to discover something you didn’t know about Jordin and how she feels about touring.

R: If there is any one in the world you had the opportunity to perform with, who would you want it to be?

Jordin: Hmm, well, he was always on my list to perform with, but now that he’s gone, I really wish he was here. I would’ve loved to perform with Michael Jackson. I probably would’ve asked Michael to sing “Man in the Mirror” with me. That’s one of my favorite songs of all time.

R: Besides winning American Idol, what has been the best moment you’ve experienced in your music career?

Jordin: There have been many, I can’t name just one! Here are some: singing at the Super Bowl. Oh, my goodness, that was amazing. Singing for both President Bush and Obama’s Inauguration, being nominated for a Grammy, touring for the past three years, putting out two albums and seeing my amazing fans!

R: I read that you’ll be making your Broadway debut in In the Heights. What are some of your other goals?

Jordin: Singing will always be my number one love, but I would love to do more acting. It would be so fun to be in a movie or do more tv. I’d love to be in a drama like CSI, Criminal Minds, or Law and Order, SVU. Also, I really want to see our “I’m M.A.D. Are You” Campaign to start to inspire others. One day I’d love to win a Grammy, and maybe a significant other will come along the way. 

R: Name three things you can’t live without while on tour:

Jordin: My laptop, my puppies, and my throat coat tea.

Jordin Sparks

(Jordin Sparks photo used with permission)

R: What are the best things about being on tour?

J: Being able to see all the fans. I love being up on stage and I can put the microphone out and they sing the lyrics back to me. There’s no better feeling. I get to sing every night for my job – what could be better?

R: Which do you prefer more-writing and recording or performing and why?

J: I love both equally, actually. Writing and recording because you can walk into the studio with just an idea and within a couple hours you have this amazing creation. I love performing because I can sing the creation that was made and once the fans get a hold of it, they sing back.

R: Which song do you look forward to performing the most every night?

J: All of them, but definitely the ones everyone knows. It’s amazing to hear the crowd sing the lyrics back to me. I’ll never get used to it!

R: What is your first memory of music?

J: Listening to the Donut Man in the car with my brother and my mom. “Life without Jesus is like a Donut. . .” and Brother For Sale (the whole album) by Mary Kate and Ashley. I used to sing it around my brother and ooooh, he’d get so mad. Ha, ha.

R: What has been your favorite experience with a fan?

J: The other day, after my show, I walked out to the bus and there was a line of fans. When I got to the end of the line, there was this woman who was pregnant. Her mom told me she couldn’t come to the concert (because of how loud the music was) because she was in labor!!! At that moment! Right then! The baby was coming, and she asked me to sign her shirt over the belly. It was the coolest and cutest thing ever!

R: What is the best advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?

J: Don’t give up and be yourself – my mom, nana, Melinda, and my dad.

R: How has your faith helped you the most?

J: I wouldn’t be the person I am without my faith. How I view things, how I see other people, how I use my music is all because of my faith. And it’s definitely helped me when I’m far from my family and lonely.

R: Out of all your accomplishments so far, which one has meant the most to you?

J: Just being able to use the gift given to me.

R: Please talk about your involvement with X The TXT.

J: I’m lucky to have Allstate on tour with me to promote X the TXT. It’s all about stopping texting and driving and making our streets safer. It’s just as distracting, if not more, than taking a call behind the wheel. We have a booth where my fans and parents can take the pledge to not text and drive. We have to make our streets safer. If they can’t make it to show, they can take the pledge at www.facebook.com/thumbspledge.

Tags: American Idol, Battlefield, Jordin Sparks, pop, star, Tour