Jordin Sparks Tapped as the Opening Act for the Alicia Keys 'As I Am' Tour; Sparks Wins Outstanding New Artist at the NAACP Image Awards

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- 19 Entertainment/Jive Records artist, Jordin Sparks, who recently performed the national anthem to an audience of nearly 100 million viewers at Super Bowl XLII, announces that she will be the opening act on the upcoming and highly anticipated Alicia Keys "As I Am" tour. The 18-year old star, who just won the Outstanding New Artist award at the 39th NAACP Image Awards, will help kick-off the tour on April 19th in Hampton, VA.

Since the release of her critically-acclaimed eponymous debut, Jordin's first single, "Tattoo," shot up the charts and has resided in the Top 10 of Billboard's Pop 100 Airplay singles chart for close to two months; currently the single is holding on to the #7 slot for it's second week in a row. Her second single "No Air" a smash duet with label mate Chris Brown is getting major radio support across the country and is already in the Top 20 on Billboard's Pop 100, Pop 100 Airplay and Hot Digital singles charts. The video for "No Air" recently wrapped and was shot by famed director Chris Robinson.

In support of her self-titled debut Jordin will open for Alicia Keys through-out the entire 30-date tour, which is scheduled to wrap in New York on June 18th.

Good for Jordin. Looks like her label will be really pushing her.

I just honestly wish that Elliott could also open for a big act. That's how Chris Daughtry expanded his fanbase so quickly. Daughtry toured with Nicelback and Bon Jovi, which caters to the audience that they are targeting. If Elliott could just do that - say, tour with NeYo or John Legend or something - then his fanbase will definitely attract more fans.

With John Legend...oh, yea, I will be first in line, lol!

I guess they are trying to expand Jordin's fanbase. I hear that she has a duet planned with R&B singer Tank so I guess she might be heading in a more R&B direction for future albums. I always thought Jordin had some country twang in her voice, but to each his own. I'm finding myself listening to her cd more and more. I really like No Air but I love Chris Brown so...maybe I'm biased. LOL If Elliott opened for John Legend...WOW!!!!