People: Suppose Sparks can create any?
Given the multiplatinum, Grammy-winning successes of fellow “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks is feeling pressure to make her own mark on the music world.
“They’ve risen the bar so high and I’m like, ‘I hope I can reach it,’ ” says the bubbly 17-year-old, the youngest winner of the six “Idol” seasons so far.
“I just really hope that when (my CD) comes out it’ll be great and maybe as good as theirs,” she says. “And hopefully it’ll sell well and people will like it.”
Sparks’ new single, “Tattoo,” is being released on AOL’s PopEater music blog today and to radio stations Monday.
The poppy tune about ending a romance had the Sparks seal of approval from the beginning.
“Right after I heard the first chorus, I was like, ‘I wanna sing that song. I have to have it,’ ” she says.
Sparks says her debut album, due Nov. 20, will be a musical mixture of styles including pop-rock – in the edgy key of Clarkson, one of her role models – and the dramatic ballads that made her stand out on the “Idol” stage.
Old dawg, new tricks
For his new album, country star Travis Tritt enlisted the help of an unlikely ally: “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson.
“The Storm,” which shows off Tritt’s more bluesy side, is co-produced by Jackson.
They met when Tritt performed on a collaborations album with Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, which Jackson produced.
“I had no clue you had that much blue-eyed soul,” Tritt recalls Jackson telling him. “If you ever decide you want to do a record that shows everything you can do but puts the spotlight more on that, I’d love to be involved.”
One of his older passes
It’s a boy for actress Bridget Moynahan and NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
The couple split up late last year after a three-year relationship. Brady has since been dating supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
Moynahan, a former model, has starred in such films as “Coyote Ugly,” “I, Robot” and “The Sum of All Fears.”
Holy Beltway, Batman!
Look for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., in the next Batman movie.
The longtime Batman fan would reveal little about his role in “The Dark Knight,” other than he is called the “distinguished gentleman.”
And, he adds: “I don’t wear tights.”
Black belts, gray beards
Jet Li, 44, is urging audiences to keep expectations low for his fight scenes with fellow action legend Jackie Chan, 53, in the upcoming “The Forbidden Kingdom.”
“When Jackie Chan and I first wanted to work together 15 years ago, our passion was at its peak. … Our desire to succeed was very strong,” Li says.
“Now we joke that when we watch the ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ our combined age is 100.”
The birthday bunch
Actor Kenny Baker (R2-D2 in “Star Wars”) is 73. Actor Steve Guttenberg is 49. Talk show host Craig Kilborn is 45. Actress Marlee Matlin is 42. Comedian Dave Chappelle is 34. Actor Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill”) is 26. Actor Rupert Grint (“Harry Potter”) is 19.