The award-winning singer and actress tells Reader's Digest that hosting a new Max Original series was one of her most thrilling experiences yet
EXCLUSIVE: Jordin Sparks Describes New Album As ‘Literally All the Pieces of Me Put Into One Project’
Published on Nov. 25, 2024
We all remember Jordin Sparks for her chart-topping hits like One Step at a Time and No Air. Bursting onto the scene in 2007 as the youngest-ever winner of American Idol at just 17, Sparks is a trailblazer in the music industry. She’s been in the spotlight for years, having earned various accolades, from an NAACP Image Award to an American Music Award and more.
But what has the singer, actress and all-around powerhouse been up to lately? We got the inside scoop! Sparks sat down with Reader’s Digest to talk about her brand-new album No Restrictions, her journey in the entertainment industry and her exciting new role as the host of the HBO Max Original roller-skating show Roller Jam.
On top of that, Sparks opened up about her passionate advocacy work, where she partnered with Kidde’s “Cause for Alarm” campaign, which raises awareness for children impacted by house fires.
Curious about what this multitalented star has been working on? Keep reading for all the details!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Reader’s Digest: Dogs or cats?
Jordin Sparks: Dogs.
Reader’s Digest: Aisle seat or window?
Jordin Sparks: Window.
Reader’s Digest: Mornings or nights?
Jordin Sparks: Mornings.
Reader’s Digest: Would you rather time travel to the past or future?
Jordin Sparks: I don’t want to go to either place. [laughs] I’m good right where I’m at— present. I want to be right here.
Reader’s Digest: What advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Jordin Sparks: I would probably tell her that she’s doing great and that life is going to be so insane, more than you ever dreamed of, and to not sweat the small stuff.
Reader’s Digest: If you weren’t an actress, and if you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing?
Jordin Sparks: Honestly, I would probably be on a farm somewhere, like singing to the animals and just being in nature and all of that stuff. I get to do it a little bit, but I like that would be my whole life. I would just be in nature all the time, having a blast.
Reader’s Digest: What inspired the theme and sound of No Restrictions, and how would you say it differs from some of your previous work?
Jordin Sparks: I was inspired by the last few years of my life. It’s been a minute since I put out a full-length album, so to be able to finally release it has just been so freeing for me. No Restrictions is the title, and that is how I feel in my life right now. I feel very unrestricted. I feel very free—free from other people’s opinions, free from outdated beliefs, free from old thoughts that I would tell myself. So it’s been really, really lovely to feel this way, and the music really reflects that.
And it’s the same with the music as well. Everybody met me on American Idol, and I was doing different genres every week, and I can sing anything, so I wanted to put that into the album, which I think makes it different from my previous projects. This album has a lot of different flavors. There’s R&B, there’s pop, there’s dance, there’s country, there’s southern gospel, there all these different things that I really, really love that make me, me. This is just literally all the pieces of me put into one project.
Reader’s Digest: Is there a particular song that holds more special meaning for you?
Jordin Sparks: It’s so hard because it took forever to get to these 15. We were stuck at 25 songs for about a year because we just could not pick, so all of them are my favorite. They all mean a lot to me. But I think in the current state of the world and affairs “Give Love a Try” is definitely one that I really hope people listen to and really absorb.
Reader’s Digest: So hosting Roller Jam on HBO Max is a very fun adventure. What drew you to the show, and how are you enjoying the shift to hosting a competition like this?
Jordin Sparks: I loved the show. Girl, it was my favorite thing that I’ve ever done. I got to pretty much play dress up every day and then watch people who are extremely talented create these amazing routines on wheels. So it was really fun and that’s also what drew me to it. I read the description and I was like, this is something that I would actually like to watch. It would be fun to watch. The whole family can watch it. When the opportunity to host came up, I just was like, yes, yes, yes, I want to do that. I’ve always wanted to host. I’ve hosted a few different things, a few red carpets and some charity things, but I’ve never done a show before like this. So I’m really grateful that they thought that I was the right fit.
Reader’s Digest: I haven’t seen the show myself or the first episode, so I’m super excited to dive into it, especially since I love to rollerblade and roller skate. But to now branch into Kidde’s “Cause for Alarm” campaign—you’ve recently partnered with them, focusing on the voices of children affected by house fires. What motivated you to get involved in this cause, and why might it be close to your heart?
Jordin Sparks: So for me, I thought it just made perfect sense. My son is six years old, and that’s something that we are working on right now, safety. And always, safety being at school, safety being out with your friends at the park, safety being at home, and so knowing that there are fires that happen every day, and usually it’s the younger children that don’t make it, I really wanted this to be something that me and my family could talk about together. So when “Cause for Alarm” popped up, I was like, this makes so much sense. I have to be a part of this.
As a musician, I know that music is a really powerful tool to get different messaging across. And so they have their Living Jingle where a piece of the lyric is, “when you hear beeps that last, you know it’s time to get out fast.” And so that’s something that can stay, and it’s really sticky in a child’s mind. So I’m very excited to be a part of this, and I have to figure out how to draw my safety map. The house is a little twisty, curvy and stuff, so it’s going to be really important for us to really get that map down so we can find the exits for him and make sure that he knows.
Reader’s Digest: With such a busy schedule, from your new album to hosting and your advocacy work, how do you find balance inbetween all of these projects and your personal life?
Jordin Sparks: Balance has been a word that I’ve always had to work on for myself because I’m definitely one of those people who’s like, all or nothing. So if I’m doing my work, I am all in for my work, and then I think about the other stuff later. If I’m with my family, I’m all in with my family, and then I think about other stuff later. So balance is something that I think kind of just falls into place. It’s really just being in the present moment with my son and being able to play with him. And what do you want to do, buddy? Mommy’s been gone for a week. What do you want to do now and how do you want to play? I think that really helps kind of bring things back to center. For me, my home is always my center. So if I were to say I felt balanced anywhere, it would definitely be home with my husband and my son.
Reader’s Digest: I can definitely relate. Your journey from where you first started out to now has been so inspiring to so many people, whether they’re artists or even general, just creatives. So what advice would you give to young artists or activists who want to make a difference in both entertainment and social causes?
Jordin Sparks: I think that one of the major things I always say is you have to really make sure that you want to do it in terms of artistry. That can apply to the social causes as well, because it requires a lot. It requires a lot of sacrifice. It requires a lot of thinking bigger than yourself. It requires a lot of having to give of yourself. And so one, I would say, make sure it’s something you really, really want to do. You can always back off and say no or say this isn’t for you.
I think the second thing is always, always, always, always respect other people’s time. We all are trying to create things and do things and make sure that we get our voices heard. So make sure you respect people’s time and also be kind. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to pursue. We’re all just trying to make it in life. So be kind, because the same people you’re going to see as you’re building up are the same people you’re going to see when you’re in a valley. So always be kind. Also just believe in yourself. You’ve gotta believe in yourself first, because if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect other people to.
Reader’s Digest: Now looking ahead, what’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects, collaborations or causes that you might be eager to dive into after No Restrictions and Roller Jam?
Jordin Sparks: I am really excited to get back out on the road. It’s been a long time. I did get a little taste about a month ago. I did a little East Coast run, and it was so much fun. I really, really loved it. And being on stage is where everything makes sense to me. Also, we are getting into the holiday season, so I do have some Christmas gifts for my fans. There’s already something that I posted the other day. It’s [an EP] called “Growin’ Up Holiday.” It’s a family-friendly compilation album. There is a song called “S-N-O-W” that I did, which is a lot of fun. So I hope people enjoy that. And then I have some other Christmas gifts coming. They’re just going to be a little bit later in November.
Reader’s Digest: Oh, I love the little tease. And for our last question: You’ve been in the spotlight for years. How was your perspective on fame, career and using your platform for social good evolved over time?
Jordin Sparks: Honestly, the fame part, I could take it or leave it. I did not do this. I just want to sing. [laughs] I honestly, would be fine if I never had my picture taken again. I just want to sing. I know I’m supposed to be here to use my voice to heal and to help people and to bring joy, and so that’s what my focus is, and that’s what I want to do.
Something that also evolved was before, when I was younger, because I didn’t know, I really just had to learn trial by fire. You don’t have to say yes to everything. It might seem like it at the beginning, because you’re new, and you have to say yes to all those things, and sometimes you do have to work very, very hard to get to that point. But now I’m at the point where I’m just like, if it doesn’t feel right within my spirit, I’m not doing it. It doesn’t matter how many zeros it has. It doesn’t matter who’s attached to it. I think that is something now and at this stage of my career that I hold very dear to me and very seriously because I am very much about my peace. I’m not going to be around people or be involved in things that don’t feel right. It’s just a beautiful way to be and there’s a lot of peace and freedom within that.
You can watch Kidde’s new Living Jingle—an emotional plea and call to action from the voices of children who have been impacted by house fires—on YouTube.
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