As American Idol narrows its field to 12 Thursday (Fox, 8 ET/PT), last year's winner is having to play catch-up.

Jordin Sparks says she has missed most of Season 7 except for the first week's audition rounds.

"But since I was part of it, I've got my connections," says the 18-year-old singer, who has top-40 airplay hits with her singles Tattoo and No Air, a duet with Chris Brown. The show's producers sent her a DVD of "the top 50-ish" auditions.

"I really like David Archuleta," she says. "He's so adorable, and I'm like, 'Oh, look at him! He's so cute!' "

Should Archuleta win the show's seventh season, he'd replace Sparks as Idol's youngest winner, but only by a few days.

Three other teens remain in the competition, which judge Randy Jackson has praised repeatedly for its youthful talent: Asia'h Epperson, 19; Danny Noriega, 18; and Kady Malloy, 18. Four of the eight already eliminated also were teens.

Sparks says the easiest trap for young contestants "is picking a safe song because you're scared. I did that a couple times, and they were not my best performances."

Instead, Sparks recommends: "Go with your gut. If you think you can pull off a song, do it and show what you've got."

Sparks' other advice for the top 12: "Any extra time you have, sleep. Sickness is very easy to get (on Idol)." (Several contestants, among them Kristy Lee Cook, Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado, have learned this lesson firsthand.)

And don't keep changing your personality. "People will get confused. If you're bubbly and quirky and funny, you be that. If you're shy and soft-spoken, be that."

Sparks says she's not bothered by the professional résumés of this season's finalists; at least three have had major-label record deals. "I'd say more power to them. They're still working hard. It's their dream."

She does wish her season's contestants had been given the option of playing instruments, although "I probably would have just stuck with singing. I can only play acoustic guitar."

Sparks is scheduled to perform on Idol Gives Back April 9 before heading out on tour with Alicia Keys April 19 and could return to Idol for another appearance.

"I'm really excited to meet the contestants," Sparks says. "I can't wait to be able to sit down and talk to them."

Picture it: YOU, hanging with Jordin Sparks at the Kids' Choice Awards in LA! You'll roll up in a huge limo, walk the orange carpet at Jordin's side (smile for the paparazzi!), and get into the super exclusive KCA pre-show. The N's Jordin Sparks' Plus One at The KCAs Sweepstakes can make it all happen for one lucky winner. Want it to be you? Enter to win. You can enter as many times as you want until it's over.

ENTER NOW!

In this SOHH exclusive interview "American Idol" winner, Jordin Sparks, talks about her upcoming tour with Alicia Keys and the new single she released with her "hyper" label mate Chris Brown.

Sparks recently released, "No Air," the second single off of her gold-selling debut album. The song, which is a duet with her Jive Records label mate Chris Brown, is Sparks' third US Top 20 hit.

"[The] music video with me and Chris Brown just premiered and it's doing really well," she says. "Working with Chris was definitely quite the experience. He's so awesome! He's very personable and funny. Very hyper, but he's really cool. He made things very, very fun. I would love to work with him again sometime."

As SOHH previously reported, Sparks is also set to open up for R&B mega star Alicia Keys on her upcoming national tour. The "American Idol" winner is thrilled, though she's not quite sure how the match up came about.

"I actually have no idea," she says. We were looking for people to tour with. We had a couple of other options and [then] they were like, 'You're going on tour with Alicia Keys.' and I said, 'OK!'

"That's no problem with me. I would love to go with Alicia Keys. So now I'm going. It will be me Ne-Yo and Alicia so I'm excited about that."

When asked if she was nervous about hitting the stage with the two heavyweights Sparks said, "I don't know. Right now it's a month away so I'm not really worrying about it yet but once the day comes, yes I will be very nervous."

The three-month tour kicks off in Hampton, Virginia on April 19th and will close with a performance at New York's famed Madison Square Garden on June 18th.

Same song, different audience.

''American Idol'' champ Jordin Sparks sang the ''Star-Spangled Banner'' at the Super Bowl in February. She belted it out again on Wednesday at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Accra during a visit by Bush.

Sparks is working with ''Malaria No More,'' a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating malaria in Africa.

''By prevailing on last season's 'American Idol,' Jordin showed the world she has a great voice,'' Bush said. ''Raising awareness about malaria means that she has got great compassion and a big heart.''

Appearances/Events

• 39th NAACP Image Awards
• 39th NAACP Image Awards Gift Lounge

Photoshoots



• Session 08 Additions
• Session 014
• Session 01
• Session 02
• Session 03

Performances


• February 14 - 39th NAACP Image Awards
• February 15 - T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam
• February 20 - Singing National Anthem to President George Bush

Music Videos


• On Set - No Air

Her name is Wendy...

...and she has Stage 4 Melanoma.

We just found out a few days ago, and she underwent surgery yesterday to remove the liquid around her lungs. She has more than 3 cancerous spots, and unless there's a miracle...she has until the fall. :(

She has been in my life for most of my adolescent years. Pretty sure since I was 12. I've seen her almost everyday since I met her. It's kind of been me, my mom and Wendy against the world. We're a trio. A group. Best friends. She's like a second mom to me, and I can tell her anything.

It's been really crazy this past year, and my mom and her have been together to help me out. All day, everyday. I love her so much, and I don't know what I would do without her.
My mom and I were brainstorming and we thought it would be a great idea to take her for a week or two on tour with me. But we can't really take her anywhere until things are fixed financially.

Her situation isn't the best and her family and mine are trying to raise money for the bills that are going to be coming in. If you would like to help...please donate here:Please click the DONATE button on the right-hand side under influences.


If you don't want to donate, please just pray for her. A little can go a long way. Also, take a look at her myspace. Send a message of encouragement, maybe even add her.


Some facts:
What are stage 4 melanoma survival rates like in the United States?
Stage 4 melanoma survival rates vary, but these statistics will give you a general idea of stage 4 melanoma survival rates for people who live in the U.S. The five-year survival rate represents the percentage of patients alive five years after their initial diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma.

Five-Year Survival Statistics for Stage 4 Melanoma:
· Skin, lymph nodes, colon, or rectum: 14%
· Lungs: 4%
· Liver, brain, or bone: 3%
Average Survival Statistics for Stage 4 Melanoma:
· Skin, lymph nodes, colon, or rectum: 13 months
· Lungs: 8 months
· Liver, brain, or bone: 4 months

Read Full Blog

2008 Jordin Sparks Charity Challenge RESULTS!



Thank you to all of you who stepped up to the plate and answered my challenge! These monies WILL make a difference no matter how small or how big!

Congratulations to Nicole Abib who raised over $5000. Nicole will receive 2 tickets to an upcoming show with VIP access, a call from me, and put in my top 12 for 1 year.

Here are the results:

Charity 1 $994

Charity 2 $829

Charity 3 $1532

Charity 4 $6097

Charity 5 $113

TOTAL $9565

Jordin Match $9565

Grand Total $19130

Please join me next year for Jordin's 2009 Wish and Charity Challenge!