Jordin Sparks knocked her tribute to Whitney Houston out of the park when she performed Nippy’s signature song, ‘I Will Always Love You’ at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. She sang so beautifully that it seemed almost effortless, but don’t let those pipes fool ya — she worked hard!

Sparks told MTV that she gave “everything” in her performance. “I put myself completely, 100 percent onstage every time I perform,” Sparks said. “It’s just very special. I feel very honored to be able to honor Whitney in this way and to sing one of her songs.”

Sparks, along with John Legend and Whoopi Goldberg, paid tribute to the fallen pop legend preceding a moving speech from Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Houston was the posthumous recipient of the Billboard Millennium Award.

The ‘American Idol‘ winner revealed that she was actually apprehensive about performing the track because it’s so iconic. “I’ve actually never performed this song before ever,” she admitted. “It’s one of the songs I’ve always been like, ‘Leave that alone,’ so it’s nerve-racking for me,” she admitted. “It’s a lot of pressure I’m putting on myself, because I want to do it amazingly, but at the same time, whatever happens, I just want to be able to speak through the music.”

One person in particular who was excited to see Sparks perform? Her adoring boyfriend, Jason Derulo. Check out the cute couple on the white carpet in the video below!

Watch Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo on the 2012 Billboard Music Awards White Carpet

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