Photos: Jordin Sparks Then and Now

Even before she hit worldwide fame on American Idol, Jordin Sparks was inspiring girls all over the country to love their curves as a model for plus-size fashion retailer, Torrid. As the winner of Torrid's 2006 Model Search, Sparks was flown to California and shot a number of full-size ads that ran in magazines like
Seventeen.

Sparks became the youngest person to win American Idol in June of 2007 at only 17 years old. At her audition, she blew away both Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson with her version of "Because You Loved Me" but always critical Simon Cowell wasn't a fan. He claimed she was a little bit "too sweet" for him, but the singing sensation managed to win him, and the voters, over to be crowned the winner of American Idol season six.

Sparks' win on American Idol was followed by the release of her self-titled album, which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. Her single, "No Air," a duet with Chris Brown, remains the highest-selling single by an American Idol winner.

Sparks doesn't just sing and model, she acts! Last year, she landed the role of Nina Rosario, a first-generation American and the first in her family to attend college in the acclaimed Broadway musical, In the Heights.

When the superstar and her boyfriend, singer Steph Jones, broke up, rumors flew that she lost weight out of revenge. The former Idol denies the rumors, but either way, she looks great here in a Cut25 knit dress at the premiere of The Hangover: Part II with recent Dancing with the Stars alum, Lil' Romeo.

Sparks credits her weight loss to portion control and exercise (she's a big fan of hiking and zumba classes.

"It's not about anything crazy," she told USA Today in May 2011. "I made chicken Alfredo last night for friends, so it's nothing crazy. But instead of having three servings, just go slowly and see how you feel with one."

The slimmed-down singer performed her latest single, "I am Woman" at the Ogilvy Cares Cancer Gala in New York on June 1st 2011, looking sleek and stylish in a LBD and nude pumps. Next in the works: A third album and a possible fragrance line.

Sparks is just one of many celebrities named to the roster of the upcoming Taco Bell All-Star MLB Softball game. Here, she stands with L.A. Dodgers player Jamey Carroll before getting ready to sing the national anthem.

The American Idol is now an ambassador! Sparks was recently named a student ambassador for People to People, a nonprofit organization that encourages students to travel. She will accompany a select group of music students from Rome Free Academy in New York on a tour of Europe. On their "Rome to Roma" tour, they will visit different cities including Paris, Vienna, and of course, Rome.