Yahoo Lifestyle “American Idol” Alum Jordin Sparks Fulfills a Dream as Host of Competition Show: 'I Was Born There' (Exclusive)
The season 6 winner of 'American Idol' is now the host of new roller skating reality show 'Roller Jam' with judges Johnny Weir and Terrell Ferguson
Courtesy of Magnolia Network
Jordin Sparks is bringing it full circle with her latest gig — hosting a show like the one that launched her career.
The singer, who won season 6 of American Idol in 2007, is the host of the first-of-its-kind roller skating competition show Roller Jam (premiering Oct. 10 on Max).
The six-episode series, produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, will see some of the best skate crews from around the country throw down for a chance to take home a $150,000 prize as well as a $10,000 donation to their local rink.
"I wanted to be a part of this series because I have always wanted to be a host on a show and I love competition shows," Sparks told PEOPLE during a visit to Roller Jam's New Orleans set. "I was born there, I guess."
Related: Chip and Joanna Gaines Are Creating a Roller Skating Dance Competition TV Show — Here's Why
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Sparks, 34, auditioned for American Idol at just 16 years old in 2006, failing the Los Angeles audition but later passing one in Seattle. In May 2007, at age 17, she became the show's youngest winner, a record she still holds.
Nearly two decades later, her vast experience in show business has prepared her to be a mentor to a new generation of up and coming performers.
"I feel like at this point in my life I am able to pour into others that are in it now. I understand what they're going through," she says.
While Sparks admits she doesn't have a hidden talent for roller skating (she hasn't laced up since she was a little girl), she's enjoyed getting immersed in the spirit of competition again.
"I love the pressure, I appreciate it. Pressure has made me who I am," she says. "When you come [to the filming location], you're not where you're from, you don't really have your family with you and you have to practice every single day and compete against other people and be judged and you're tired, there's so many different things."
Courtesy of Magnolia Network
But she's not exactly nostalgic for the anxiety that can bring about.
"It triggers a little something," she says. "But I'm standing right there with them and I'm trying to absorb a lot of the tension, so that they can not only look back on this as something that challenged them, but something that also was a great experience."
Sparks will be joined by two judges — Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and roller skating legend Terrell Ferguson — as well as a new guest judge for each of the decade-themed weeks, including singer Michelle Williams, Brady Bunch alum Maureen McCormick, Pepa (of Salt-N-Pepa), Hairspray star Marissa Jaret Winokur, Debbie Gibson, and of course, Joanna Gaines.
Courtesy of Magnolia Network
Weir and Ferguson also lend their expertise as judges each week and dole out some "tough love" according to Sparks, who says "I appreciate that, because I remember when Simon would talk to me, he would give me something to work on."
Weir, a two-time Olympian and national figure skating champion, revealed to PEOPLE that he skated on wheels before he ever did on blades.
"I saw figure skating at the Olympics on television and I was like, 'Mom, I want to try that,'" he says. The closest rink was two hours away, "but we had roller skates, so I went down in the basement and started to teach myself what I saw on television."
And the passion hasn't left him. "I'm a firm believer that artistic rollerskating should be in the Olympic Games," Weir adds. "I think that the artistic roller skaters do most of the same elements that ice figure skaters do."
Courtesy of Magnolia Network
Ferguson, a lifelong roller skater and a legend in the sport, is grateful to watch his passion get its due.
"The elevation of skate culture is what I'm all about," he tells PEOPLE. "Rinks have had competitions, but this is the first televised, for millions to see. I feel like everyone in the culture is going to be happy. So, that's why my smile is always so big."
Related: Joanna Gaines Has 'An '80s Flashback' as She Roller Skates Around Waco Ranch — Watch
Joanna Gaines shares his longtime passion.
In December 2021, the Fixer Upper star shared a post to Instagram showing off her roller skating skills at her family's Waco, Texas farm.
"I got a pair of skates for Christmas, and minus the goats and the cattle guard and the manure, I felt like I was back in the roller rink all over again!" Joanna captioned the sweet clip. She's also been known to glide around the kitchen while shooting her cooking show Magnolia Table.
“Putting on a pair of roller skates is like reuniting with your childhood. There’s just something about it that appeals to everyone,” Chip and Joanna shared in an early press release for Roller Jam. “Kids, adults and everyone in between will have fun watching these talented crews come together and skate their hearts out, and we are so excited to bring this nostalgic competition to life.”
Roller Jam premieres Thursday, Oct. 10 on Max.
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