Her 2007 self-titled debut studio album was met with critical and commercial success; it peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200, received platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold over two million copies worldwide.

[2] The album was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten singles "Tattoo" and "No Air" (with Chris Brown)—the latter received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and remains the third highest-selling song by an American Idol contestant—with three million digital copies sold in the United States.

Sparks attended Sandra Day O'Connor High School until 2006 when she was homeschooled by her grandmother, Pam Wiedmann, to better concentrate on her singing.

[21] On August 27, she released her debut single, "Tattoo",[22] which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Sparks's first top-ten hit on the chart.

[54] In March 2011, Sparks recorded a music video for a song called "The World I Knew" for the film, African Cats, released on April 22.

With the shutdown, Sparks (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) would release her future material (including her upcoming third studio album) on the RCA Records brand.

[70][71] On November 14, 2011, it was announced that Sparks had recorded an original song called "Angels Are Singing" as a part of ABC Family's "12 Dates of Christmas".

The story focused on the youngest sister, a music prodigy named Sparkle Williams (Sparks), and her struggle to become a star while overcoming issues that were tearing her family apart.

[84][85] On July 24, 2012, it was officially announced that Sparks would star in her second film, an indie drama titled "'The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete'".

[86] Produced by Street State Pictures, the George Tillman Jr-directed film stars Jennifer Hudson, Sparks, Jeffrey Wright, and Anthony Mackie.

[95] It was later announced that Sparks would co-star alongside Nicolas Cage as Captain Rayford Steele, Chad Michael Murray as Cameron "Buck" Williams and Nicky Whelan as Hattie Durham.

[96][97][98] On October 7, 2013, it was announced that Sparks would guest star in an upcoming episode in the fourteenth season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

[99] Sparks played Alison Stone, a high school teacher who somehow found herself scared and covered in blood in a hotel room crime scene.

[99][100] On December 9, 2013, Sparks partnered with Glade and the Young People's Chorus of New York City to release a brand new Christmas holiday anthem "This Is My Wish".

[103] After experiencing multiple delays in the release of Sparks's third album due to RCA refusing to put her in their roster, citing that her acting projects had prevented them from reaching a deal,[104][105] Sparks was released from her contract with RCA records and eventually signed to Salaam Remi's new label imprint 'Louder than Life', a subsidiary of Sony Music.

[107][108][109] On May 8, 2014, it was announced that Sparks would be hosting the 2014 Billboard Music Awards 'Samsung Red Carpet', alongside Lance Bass and Ted Stryker.

Sparks also confirmed that she was no longer with her previous label, RCA Records, and stated that her single was due by the end of the year, with an album release in 2015.

[118][119] On November 25, it was announced that Sparks would release her third studio album, Right Here Right Now, in early 2015, under Louder Than Life/Red Associated Labels, subsidiaries of Sony Music Entertainment, in conjunction with 19 Recordings.

[136] In October 2020, Sparks was featured on the single "Pink" alongside Dolly Parton, Monica, Sara Evans and Rita Wilson.

Doctors ordered vocal rest, forcing Sparks to cancel appearances, including scheduled cameos on Alicia Keys's tour.

[150] In 2009, Sparks made her acting debut on Disney's The Suite Life on Deck, guest starring as herself in the "Crossing Jordin" episode, which aired on October 23.

Following the release of Sparkle in 2012, Sparks began auditioning for several television and film roles while also receiving scripts from companies interested in having her a part of their projects.

[156] First of which was an indie drama film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, which follows two inner-city youths left to fend for themselves over the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.

[159] In 2013, Sparks played the part of Abby in Dear Secret Santa, a Lifetime Television romantic Christmas film that premiered on November 30.

[95][163][164][165] In 2007, Sparks was asked by a relative who works for SOS Children's Villages in Florida to design a denim jacket festooned with Swarovski Crystal to support orphans.

Sparks said, "Traveling to Ghana with Malaria No More gives me the incredible opportunity to see for myself what a difference a simple mosquito net can make in the life of a child.

"[167] In 2008, Sparks supported Dosomething.org's Do Something 101 campaign by filming a public service announcement explaining the nationwide school supplies drive project.

Sparks has also shown support for Little Kids Rock, a national non-profit that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged US public schools, by donating items for auction to raise money for the organization.

Since 2008, Sparks and the campaign travels to the Super Bowls designated city to host a week of charitable events, to raise money for several charities.

[178] In June 2010, the "Thumbs Up to X the TXT" pledge campaign, established by Allstate, made its way to Sparks's Battlefield Tour, presented by Mike & Ike to encourage teens and their families not to text while driving.