Jordin Sparks Battlefield

While most new artists would have been happy with the success that Jordin Sparks had on her debut album, the expectations are always incredibly high for an American Idol winner. It can't be easy going platinum only to hear that you're only the 4th or 5th best AI artist, thus the blessing and the curse from achieving success through a show whose purpose is to churn out multiple superstars. While the season 6 winner may not reach Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood numbers anytime soon, Jordin Sparks has managed to stay relevant by recently opening up for the Jonas Brothers on the road and performing at President Obama's Inaugural Ball, ensuring that she won't go the way of past contestants like Diana DeGarmo or Taylor Hicks anytime soon. Sparks' second album is expected to straddle the line between pop and R&B much like her self-titled debut, with production and songwriting work from Ryan Tedder, T-Pain, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Stargate and Jesse McCartney, as well as more input from Sparks herself, who had songwriting credit for one song on her debut.

Abstract by Ivan Mitchell