Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann and former NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks. She has a younger brother PJ (Phillippi Sparks, Jr) who plays football himself. She lived briefly in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and attended Orchard Eleme

Sparks was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Jodi Weidmann and former NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks. She has a younger brother PJ (Phillippi Sparks, Jr) who plays football himself. She lived briefly in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and attended Orchard Elementary School. After living in New Jersey, Sparks attended Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona through the eighth grade. Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006, then she was homeschooled to better concentrate on her singing. She is of African American and Caucasian descent, and stands 5'10" tall.

Sparks is a committed Christian and attends Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona. On her "American Idol" biography, she thanks her parents and God for her win. She wears a purity ring that symbolizes her desire to remain pure until marriage. She also appeared on the cover of World, an Evangelical Christian news magazine. She won an award for best young artist of the year in Arizona for thre