Jordin Sparks was not my top choice for the American Idol trophy. In fact, for me she came in third behind Melinda DoNoWrong and Beat Box Boy (come to mama with your Bon Jovi cover, sweetness). But when I read today that Jordin's professing her love for her own curves, she immediately got the It-Grrrl crown in the teen category from me.
Jordin's family says that the show upped her confidence and "made her realize she's as beautiful as she is." Jordin says the journey toward positive self-esteem has been long and challenging (or as long and challenging as any journey can be to a 17-year old), but that finding clothes that fit her size rather than trying to fit into an impossibly bitty size helped her begin to feel better about her body and herself. And, of course, belting it out on stage was a boost as well.
In light of all the young, wasting-away, Starbucks-sucking, cigarette-dieting, self-destructing celebrities who have their ribs and thigh-space photos plastered everywhere, Jordin melted my heart a little with this moment of optimistic, embracing self-love: "I'm really comfortable in my own skin. I learned that I'm not ever going to be a size 2. I would
look so weird as a size 2. Somebody would blow and I would fall right
over. It just wouldn't be healthy."
And all the real women in the house say, Amen, sister. Amen.
[photo credit: Frank Micelotta / American Idol / Getty via People]
