Jordin Sparks still in the running to be an ‘American Idol’

Hillsboro is still keeping a close eye on this season’s “American Idol.” After all, there’s a family connection.
Seventeen-year-old singer Jordin Sparks is one of six remaining singers in the national talent competition, televised on FOX Network. She is the great-granddaughter of Jim and Gladys Rutherford, former Caledonia and Hillsboro residents who now live in Fargo. Her grandmother and manager is Pam (Rutherford) Wiedmann, who graduated from Hillsboro High School in the 1960s.
After 15 weeks of competition, Sparks is still singing while 18 other contestants have been eliminated. “American Idol,” now in its 6th season, routinely airs performance shows on Tuesday nights followed by results shows on Wednesdays.
Jordin, dubbed the show’s “teenage diva,” lives in Glendale, Ariz., with her parents Phillipi and Jodi Sparks. Her father was a pro football player for nine years, playing for the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.
Performing since she was 12, Jordin’s quest for the “American Idol” crown started in September when she won the Arizona Idol contest and earned a chance to audition for the national competition. She earned her spot in the final 24 in January. Since then she’s wowed the judges with her maturity and vocal versatility.
Judge Randy Jackson can’t seem to get over the fact she’s “just 17.”
“You’re like a pro,” enthused Jackson, “and you’re like 17 and I’m like ‘what?’!”
As Jordin’s performances continue to draw rave reviews, Idol host Ryan Seacrest has picked her to win the contest.
“She represents fantastic qualities. She’s a great singer and a pretty girl. Plus, she has this sincere likeability that is rare and genuine,” he said.
Jordin’s song list has ranged from “Gimme Me One Reason,” to “Heartbreaker” to “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.”
This week she delivered a “glorious” rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” for the show’s inspiration-themed Tuesday. The Rodgers and Hammerstein tune from the musical “Carousel” is more than 60 years old, pointed out judge Simon Cowell. He praised Jordin for making the old standard “modern.”
Jordin’s success has spawned Jordin Wear — t-shirts stamped with the saying “1 Jordin + 11 Sugar Cubes = Superstar.” The message alludes to Cowell’s first criticism at Jordin’s audition, “Sometimes, I like to put one sugar in my coffee to make it sweeter, that was the equivalent of putting 11 spoonfuls in. It was a bit too cutesy, a bit over the top.”
The critique didn’t deter Jordin and she eventually won Cowell’s vote to send her to Hollywood.
Jordin’s career is already more than singing; she’s also a stage actress and model.
Her young talent has already earned her spots on “Star Search” in 2003 and “America’s Most Talented Kids” in 2004. She’s won national gospel music competitions and recorded her first album, “For Now,” in 2003 at the tender age of 12. She’s also gained a reputation as a country singer and a national anthem performer at professional sporting events.
Whatever the outcome on the American Idol stage, Jordin appears destined for fame.