Powerhouse singer Jordin Sparks has been hard at work promoting her upcoming film, “Sparkle.” The 22-year-old singer is featured in the September issue of “Redbook Magazine,” which hits newsstands today.

In the issue, Sparks dishes on “Sparkle,” Whitney Houston, and her weight loss. Read the excerpt below.
How Whitney Houston’s death puts Sparkle in a new light:
“I get so overwhelmed because it’s my first film, and for my first film to be so deep and heavy…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.”
On her recent weight loss:
“My whole journey has been about self-acceptance. 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.”
On finding love with fellow musician Jason Derulo:
“We both went through things that were tragic, and that brought us even closer together. 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.”
“Sparkle” hits theaters on August 17. Read more here.



