American Idol star backs Britney
by ANDREW WILLIAMS - Monday, March 31, 2008

Singer Jordin Sparks won American Idol last year, despite having to audition twice to get on the show. The 18-year-old wowed viewers with her version of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer among others. She subsequently attracted controversy due to her hard-line religious views and anti-abortion campaigning. Sparks’s new single, Tattoo, is out today.

Do you have any tattoos?
Yes, I’ve got one on the inside of my left wrist – it says Timothy 4.12 which is a Bible passage about not letting people look down on you just because you’re young. I’ve also got ’PJ’ behind my left ear, which is my brother’s name.

Did you have a secret crush on Simon Cowell?
I think there was a time when I had a crush on Simon, but it was when I used to watch the show, not when I was on it. He’s very cute, but he’s already taken.

Why did you have to audition twice for the show?
You have to audition for producers before they put you through to sing for Simon and the others. The person I sang for, called Kim, said: ’I like you, you’re really good but something’s missing.’ I went home and did a show called Arizona Idol and the prize was to audition for American Idol in Seattle. I got through the second time.

Did Kim get told off when you made it to the final round?
I don’t know. I saw her again in Seattle and she said: ’Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you auditioned again.’

If singing hadn’t worked out did you have any other career plans?
I love little kids, so I wanted to be a paediatrician. But I’ve heard some horror stories, so I don’t know if I could deal with the traumatic cases. You hear about children coming in who have been abused and I didn’t think I could handle that. I thought maybe I could be a singing nurse and help them out.

I really wish people would leave Britney alone so she can get better. It’d be great if she made a huge comeback

You had a wholesome image on American Idol. Has your record label tried to push you into a more saucy, Rihanna-type direction?
Oh, Lord, no. I’ve been very strong willed on that. I don’t want to be portrayed in that way. I’m uncomfortable with showing a lot of skin. They haven’t tried it yet.

Are you worried you’ll end up like Britney Spears?
I can’t tell you how I’ll feel four years from now but I’m feeling really good. I have a very supportive family and the people around me are great.

What advice would you give her?
I don’t know her, so I can’t comment, but I really wish people would leave her alone so she can get better and figure things out. It’d be great if she made a huge comeback in a couple of years.

What’s the first record you bought?
It was a Spice Girls cassette tape. Mel B was my favourite, followed by Emma. I didn’t get to see their reunion show, which was a shame. Maybe I’ll do a Spice Girls cover in my live shows.

Do you regret putting the picture on your MySpace of you holding a ’Stop Abortion Now’ sign?
I don’t regret it. Everyone has their own opinion and I’m not going to fight anyone over it. I know where I stand on it, that’s what I believe in and that’s all there is to it.

Are you concerned it will alienate potential fans?
Everyone has their own view on it and I’m sure some people will think: ’If she believes that then I’m not going to be a fan of hers,’ but that’s OK. If they don’t want to support me because of what I believe, that’s fine.

Were you brought up as an Evangelist?
I was brought up in a Christian household but nothing was forced on me. I learned about the various issues and I just think abortion is horrible. That’s how that picture came about.

Have you ever been attacked by an animal?
I was attacked by a rottweiler when I was four. It was humongous and I was really tiny. It grabbed my arm in its jaws and spun me around the room. To this day, rottweilers freak me out. I don’t know what happened to the dog. It was my mom’s friend’s pet and the next time I visited, it wasn’t there anymore.