Virginia Is For Families

http://www.jordinsparks.com/biography

Here is Jordin’s bio on her website. It’s pretty good. She talks about struggling! Can you imagine Jordin Sparks struggling? People who are graceful and talented often can fool us into thinking they do not struggle the way we do.

Here is what she said…..

Perhaps her most revealing life-lesson is the tale about how Jordin nearly missed out on being an Idol contestant altogether. No stranger to musical competitions, it’s the way she handled the potentially biggest disappointment of her life – being sent home on her first Idol try – that reveals a strength of character truly rare in a just-turned-17 year old. “I remember being at that first audition looking down that long line that just seemed endless and asking myself: ‘What am I bringing to this – how will they ever notice me’ she says.’ They didn’t, with the young singer being dismissed after her first L.A. audition. “I went home, shook it off and said ‘wait a minute, I can do this if they let me.’”

Where most teenagers might have buried such a disappointment in a countless array of distractions – Jordin made a bee-line for a second audition held in her native Arizona. She won, earning her another shot in front of Idol royalty at a Seattle audition where she sang Celine Dion’s “Because You Love Me.” The rest – as they, say is – well… “Giving up is not part of my vocabulary,” she says proudly. “Sure, I get down, but I’ve learned to let the negative roll off my back. You have to if you want to keep on going in this world.”

Here is a little more insight into her personality…

My dad kept us calm no matter what was happening with his career, and my mom made me fiercely independent. She was big on teaching us responsibility and fending for ourselves. I think I understood early the importance of setting goals and being prepared to meet them.”

The sky is the limit for this girl. Her father taught her how to work hard and deal with winning AND losing at the highest level of professional sports. Her mother taught her how to be independent. She has all the natural talent in the world. And she is incredibly beautiful. Watch the Tattoo video. Part of it is done in black and white. She is down on the ground looking up at the camera and the expression on her face sends chills through me. (I get chills now instead of other things because I am a senior citizen who doesn’t exercise the way he should). Watch the video and look for this moment. Does it do anything to you? It’s too quickly over as the video flashes back and forth.

Randy, the American Idol judge, said that Jordin was going to be another Whitney Houston. I’m sure he was referring to her popularity and vocal talent. But Jordin is going to be in a class by herself. You are not going to be able to compare her to anybody in the years to come. There will never be another Jordin Sparks.