Jordin Sparks covers the September issue of Redbook, showing off her famously fit figure. Sparks’ dramatic weight loss has been much-discussed in the press, but it’s a positive thing, since she looks terrific, especially in that sparkly, sequined peach mini skirt. More importantly, she’s healthy! The ‘Sparkle’ singer/actress also spoke about her co-star and idol Whitney Houston.

In her spread, Sparks is like day and night wearing a light and sunny white top with the aforementioned skirt and appearing in a midnight blue, curve-hugger of a dress while perched against a starry, pitch black backdrop. She, in effect, sparkles, and isn’t afraid to admit that diet and exercise got her to this place.

“My whole journey has been about self-acceptance,” she said. “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. Everyone has their own thing.”

She spoke about her year-long relationship with boyfriend Jason Derulo, who broke his neck during dance rehearsals for tour earlier this year. “We both went through things that were tragic, and that brought us even closer together,” the singer said. “He had a near-death experience, and I lost someone. Priorities get in line when stuff like that happens. Family is what matters — and being with the people you love.”

Speaking of family and that “someone” she lost, Sparks spoke about her upcoming starring role in the remake of ‘Sparkle,’ which is her first film. It’s a big deal, since she worked with her idol, the late, great Houston in what was the diva’s final film role. So it’s historic in a way.

Sparks said, “I got to work with one of my idols and sing with her, and she even played my mother. I don’t know if anything will ever be as good as this. Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why did I deserve to have a part in a film like this?’ I don’t want this to come off crazy, but somebody said to me, ‘It’s like Whitney essentially passed the torch.’ And to hear that, it’s just nuts.”

Houston didn’t just play Sparks’ mother in the film. She let the maternal role spill over in real life. Sparks, 22, said, “She took on the mother role because my parents weren’t there [during film production]. She was always asking: Did I feel comfortable? Did I need anything?”

How sweet.

Even with her motherly nature, Houston was as frank as it gets. “The cool thing about Whitney was that she was not scared to talk about or confront the things she had gone through,” the ‘American Idol‘ alum said.

Jordin Sparks Redbook
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