'American Idol' singer sparking ticket sales

OREM — It's not on her Web site yet, but 2007 "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks is scheduled to appear at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre on June 25.

At age 17, she was the youngest winner ever on the reality television vocal competition. (The youngest age to enter the contest is 16.)

Her win came during the sixth season, about a year ago. Since then she has been touring, hitting venues around the country.

"She's leading in our individual sales," said SCERA spokeswoman April Berlin. "People are really excited she's coming."

Other groups slated for this summer's season are Abba Live!, a tribute band; Boyz II Men and Three Dog Night. Sparks is outselling all of them, Berlin said.

"We're really excited about this season," Berlin said.

Sparks' tour was briefly sidelined with a throat injury in April, but she is now back on the road opening in some venues for Alicia Keys.

A Phoenix, Ariz., native, Sparks is known for her Christian beliefs and once raised eyebrows when she posed on her MySpace page with a picture of her and a man with the inscription "Stop Abortion Now." She is the daughter of professional football player Phillippi Sparks.

After she won the "American Idol" competition she appeared on several television shows singing some of her pop tunes, including "This is My Now."

Sparks has been featured in several publications, including Entertainment Weekly, VIBE and TV Guide.

Her schedule and more information on her is available on her Web site, jordinsparks.com.

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com