Jordin Sparks is in the midst of a career evolution.
The singer, 35, exclusively explained to Us Weekly how she has learned to be “more selective” about the music she records since winning season 6 of American Idol over 18 years ago.
“When I was a little bit younger, people were like, ‘Okay, we put this room together. This is what you’re going to do. This is who you’re going to work with,” Sparks shared with Us at the 2025 BET Awards in Los Angeles on Monday. “Now, I’m a little bit more selective. I’ve been able to really find a group of people [who] I love working and writing with.
Last fall, Sparks released No Restrictions, her first album of original material in nine years. She told Us that she and her creative team often “get together and have fun,” which creates “a beautiful song at the end of it.”
The “No Air” singer also lists her family as one of the inspirations behind her new music. Sparks shares one son, Dana Isaiah Thomas Jr., 7, with her husband, Dana Isaiah, who she married in 2017.
“I’ve got my wonderful son and my handsome husband over there,” Sparks gushed. “If I am at 0 percent, [Dana Isaiah] picks up that other percentage for me. If he’s at 80 percent, I pick up that extra 20 percent for him. I have more inspiration now than ever. I have a lot to be thankful for.”
While she may be more inspired than ever, Sparks does credit Idol for teaching her “perseverance” and how to be confident in herself no matter the circumstances. The singer tells Us that she auditioned for the singing competition series in several cities after being rejected at her first audition. Sparks was only 17 when she won Idol, making her the youngest winner in the show’s history.
“I think being so young really helped me when I was on the show,” Sparks explained. “I wasn’t really thinking about what people were saying in a way that somebody a little bit older would. I wasn’t like, ‘Is there something underneath that?’ I took everything for face value. I remember, looking back at it now, I had a lot of confidence in myself. I still do.”
No Restrictions is available to stream now on all music platforms.
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