Jordin Sparks has had an amazing career. Only 17, she became the youngest winner of American Idol earlier this year.

But did you know that Jordin came out with her first album, For Now, in 2003? She was just 13 at the time. Now, she's busy working on her second album.

Humble Beginnings

Jordin has had plenty of experience in the music business for her age. Making it, however, wasn't easy.

“Growing up, we had to rely on food stamps and welfare,” she says. “It drove me to want more than that. I wasn't embarrassed, but I knew there was something else out there for me.”

Singing helped Jordin express her feelings during rough times. “Music can be a great outlet when you're young,“ she says.

Choirgirl to Superstar

Jordin was always a talented singer. She sang in church as a toddler. At age 12, Jordin began to take her career seriously. She saw Kelly Clarkson become the first American Idol. Jordin knew she had to become a singer too.

“That night, I told my parents that I wanted to sing for a big crowd. I told them that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Jordin remembers. Her parents agreed to help.

Dream Come True

Jordin's parents drove her from contest to contest, and from audition to audition. It was difficult, but Jordin was determined to succeed.

Jordin won many awards. She sang at baseball games, charities, and festivals all over the country. By year's end, she recorded her first audio CD.

When Jordin was 16, she was finally able to try out for American Idol. Jordin auditioned for the show in Los Angeles, California. But the judges said she didn't have what it took. Jokingly, a judge told her to try out in a different city. That's exactly what she did! Jordin auditioned in Seattle, Washington. She got on the show.

Now, Jordin is an American Idol. “I still can't believe it,” she says. “The other day, these two girls told me that I was their inspiration. They said they wanted to be just like me. I remember being a little girl and looking up to Kelly Clarkson the same way.”

The first time Jordin watched American Idol is a happy memory for her. “I told myself that I could do it,” she says proudly. “Now I've done it!”

-Zach Jones