Jordin Sparks Set for Tonight's NIGHTLINE on ABC

Deborah Roberts interviews Jordin Sparks who is making her motion picture debut in SPARKLE the upcoming musical which was Whitney Houston's final film, on NIGHTLINE airing tonight, Monday, August 13 (11:35 pm, ET) on the ABC Television Network. 

Sparks won FOX's American Idol at just 17 years old, and followed up with over 9 million singles sold to date. In 2010 she made her Broadway debut as Nina in IN THE HEIGHTS. SPARKLE will mark her silver screen debut.

SPARKLE will be released in theaters on August 17th by Sony Pictures. The film stars Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Cee-Lo Green, and the late Whitney Houston. The film is directed by Salim Akil and written by Mara Brock Akil.

SPARKLE tells the story of the title character; Sparkle, (Jordin Sparks) the youngest of three sisters and a music prodigy who struggles to becomes a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. Sparkle is from an affluent Detroit area, naive to the unexpected experiences her new life will bring as she and her two sisters blossom into a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era. Whitney Houston will play the trio's mother (Emma).

Mike Epps plays a wealthy comedian named Satin, who woos Sparkle's sister into a drug-filled abusive relationship on their way to the top. During her journey, Sparkle endures the trials and tribulations of fame but fights to rise through the ranks of the music business. The film is set in the late 1960s when Detroit was the music mecca of America.

Photo credit: ABC/ RICK ROWELL