Jordin Sparks

“If I eat something a little crazy or if I feel sluggish, I know I have to eat better the next day and work out. I work out, I do circuit training so I try to keep my heart rate up whether I'm doing cardio, lifting weights or jumping rope. I like to mix it up. I also take Zumba classes - I love those, those are a blast.”

“I know what I want to look like. I don't want to look trashy. I want mothers to be able to look at me and not have to close their kids' eyes!”

“When I was on Broadway, I got really sick with walking pneumonia. I decided not to take my health for granted anymore and make it a priority. The great thing is, the pounds just started to fall off.”

“I love being able to sing for my job. I am blessed beyond words and I hope my fans can feel that while I'm on stage!”

“With the R&B, gospel feel that 'Sparkle' has, that opens the door for my fans to be more accepting of that sound and also for me to try it.”

“Being on 'Idol,' you have no choice but to be an open book.”

“If I don't laugh at least 20 times a day - it hasn't been a good day.”

“Right now, I feel like I can take on the world. Ambition is the perfect word for where I am in my life right now.”

“There are a lot of parallels to the 'Sparkle' story and my story.”

“I am so used to being up on stage and talking to my fans that it's strange to be on stage and be someone else. I can't look at the audience during 'In the Heights' or I will start talking to them.”

“There's no quick or magical way to lose weight. You just have to do it the natural way - diet and exercise and stick to it - and be able to do it at your own pace.”

“As far as friendships go, things change even without the fame. People start moving on. I have a few friends that are married and are starting to have kids and I'm like, 'Oh my goodness gracious - that's so insane.' I also have friends who are just doing their own thing, which is cool.”

“Well... I had braces and I had to wear headgear! I loved my braces, actually. For me, they were like a piece of jewelry! Instead of the silver or pewter I had gold braces. It was so much fun, I loved them. I got to change the colors and stuff and I had the rubber bands.”

“'Lizzie McGuire' was my big thing when I was younger. I did buy some pencils and back-to-school stuff of hers because she was on it. I loved her.”

“With 'Idol' it's kind of just like 'OK, here's this competition - I need to do better than somebody else.'”

“I was always okay with the fact that I was taller and bigger than everybody else growing up. My mom, my dad, and my friends always told me I was beautiful.”

“My goals are to tell meaningful stories through songs and touch people's lives... and hopefully make a living doing it.”

“With my schedule being so crazy, I can't call every day or hang out with my friends like I used to and that's definitely sad.”

“When I got to write for the 'Battlefield' record, it was almost therapeutic. I had gone through a few things in the two years prior and it was really nice to take those thoughts and emotions and get them out. I definitely want to hone that side of my artistry.”

“I'm so excited for my first fragrance! I chose to partner with Dots because I love what they do for their customers, bringing them the hottest trends in fashion, accessories and fragrance at unbelievably low prices. It's amazing!”