Jordin Sparks on "American Idol", Jordin Sparks is on fire.
With a new hairdo, slim figure and the love of her life by her side, things couldn't get any better.
But Sparks went through some trials and tribulations before reaching this point in her life.
"In December of this year it will be three years since I got really sick," she told the Daily News at the Crystal Light Liquid hosted Words With Friends event May 8 in New York City. "It was then that I made the decision 'I'm supposed to be in the prime of my life. This changes right now.' And I really
started making my health a priority."
The 23-year-old singer was referring to her bout with appendicitis in 2009 that landed her in the hospital to undergo surgery. Now, she's dropped 50 pounds and is feeling better than ever.
"For me to be on stage singing and dancing, the stamina that I have now is better," she explained. "I don't get sick as much anymore. I feel better, I have more energy, I sleep better, everything is better."
That "everything" includes her boyfriend R&B singer Jason Derulo, 23, who bounced back from a serious neck injury with Sparks by his side. He nearly paralyzed himself while performing a stunt for his Future History World Tour last year - not only did he make a full recovery but his resilience offered great inspiration for Sparks.
"It's incredible because he was pretty fit before he broke his neck but literally as soon as the doctor said he could be in the gym, which was maybe like a month after, he was there," she said proudly. "He couldn't run but he could lift really light weights, and he was there on a stationary bike with 5-pound weights. So I was like, 'Well if you're going to do this with a broken neck, I gotta get my butt in there too.' So we were doing it together."
With support for one another the couple were able to endure, and Sparks attributes that to their ability to stay fit both physically and mentally.
Sparks says watching boyfriend R&B singer Jason Derulo bounce back from a serious neck injury inspired her to hit the gym more often.
"He's completely taken himself to the next level of where he can be in terms of everything," she boasted to the News. "His music is new, his physique is great. He looks very good. And mentally as well he's been able to reevaluate things, and our relationship has gotten so much stronger."
The former American Idol winner has also gotten stronger due to her workout regimen, which includes "StairMaster for 15 minutes, love that thing - kicks my butt, literally. Then I do arms. I do three sets of 12 reps with 10- to 12-pound weights. Bicep curls, butterflies and then overhead. I incorporate lunges and then come back to the arms. Then I do handstands. Then I use a resistance band and walk, and it works the thighs. I'm all about this," she says slapping her thigh. "Gotta get this done."
The hard work she's put in has definitely shown and people have taken notice.
"Somebody walked up to me last night and asked 'Are you a swimmer?' and I was like 'I love to swim but I haven't swam in a long time.' She says 'Your shoulders and your arms are so toned.'"
Sparks details how learning b-boy dance moves from Derulo has also helped shape her arms.
"He's been learning a lot of b-boy stuff and learned this move called 'hollaback,'" she described. "You get on your hands and do a pose in the air. He's been teaching me how to do it, so I've been on my hands doing headstands in the gym. It's so fun to change it up and do something different."
Sparks also did something different with her hair and debuted her new look at the Manhattan event Wednesday.
"I'm not used to the bangs quite yet but I like it. I did it last week. I wanted to try something new," she said.
With a glowing smile, Sparks looked genuinely happy and fulfilled, especially because she's healthier than she's ever been.
She added: "I was just sitting here thinking just now how I've been able to keep [the weight] off and keep myself looking this way, and I'm really happy."
With a new hairdo, slim figure and the love of her life by her side, things couldn't get any better.
But Sparks went through some trials and tribulations before reaching this point in her life.
"In December of this year it will be three years since I got really sick," she told the Daily News at the Crystal Light Liquid hosted Words With Friends event May 8 in New York City. "It was then that I made the decision 'I'm supposed to be in the prime of my life. This changes right now.' And I really
started making my health a priority."
The 23-year-old singer was referring to her bout with appendicitis in 2009 that landed her in the hospital to undergo surgery. Now, she's dropped 50 pounds and is feeling better than ever.
"For me to be on stage singing and dancing, the stamina that I have now is better," she explained. "I don't get sick as much anymore. I feel better, I have more energy, I sleep better, everything is better."
That "everything" includes her boyfriend R&B singer Jason Derulo, 23, who bounced back from a serious neck injury with Sparks by his side. He nearly paralyzed himself while performing a stunt for his Future History World Tour last year - not only did he make a full recovery but his resilience offered great inspiration for Sparks.
"It's incredible because he was pretty fit before he broke his neck but literally as soon as the doctor said he could be in the gym, which was maybe like a month after, he was there," she said proudly. "He couldn't run but he could lift really light weights, and he was there on a stationary bike with 5-pound weights. So I was like, 'Well if you're going to do this with a broken neck, I gotta get my butt in there too.' So we were doing it together."
With support for one another the couple were able to endure, and Sparks attributes that to their ability to stay fit both physically and mentally.
Sparks says watching boyfriend R&B singer Jason Derulo bounce back from a serious neck injury inspired her to hit the gym more often.
"He's completely taken himself to the next level of where he can be in terms of everything," she boasted to the News. "His music is new, his physique is great. He looks very good. And mentally as well he's been able to reevaluate things, and our relationship has gotten so much stronger."
The former American Idol winner has also gotten stronger due to her workout regimen, which includes "StairMaster for 15 minutes, love that thing - kicks my butt, literally. Then I do arms. I do three sets of 12 reps with 10- to 12-pound weights. Bicep curls, butterflies and then overhead. I incorporate lunges and then come back to the arms. Then I do handstands. Then I use a resistance band and walk, and it works the thighs. I'm all about this," she says slapping her thigh. "Gotta get this done."
The hard work she's put in has definitely shown and people have taken notice.
"Somebody walked up to me last night and asked 'Are you a swimmer?' and I was like 'I love to swim but I haven't swam in a long time.' She says 'Your shoulders and your arms are so toned.'"
Sparks details how learning b-boy dance moves from Derulo has also helped shape her arms.
"He's been learning a lot of b-boy stuff and learned this move called 'hollaback,'" she described. "You get on your hands and do a pose in the air. He's been teaching me how to do it, so I've been on my hands doing headstands in the gym. It's so fun to change it up and do something different."
Sparks also did something different with her hair and debuted her new look at the Manhattan event Wednesday.
"I'm not used to the bangs quite yet but I like it. I did it last week. I wanted to try something new," she said.
With a glowing smile, Sparks looked genuinely happy and fulfilled, especially because she's healthier than she's ever been.
She added: "I was just sitting here thinking just now how I've been able to keep [the weight] off and keep myself looking this way, and I'm really happy."
