Jordin Sparks is a Sanjaya Supporter

Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks get along very well.

But the American Idol champ had always named her favorite male artists as John Mayer and Justin Timberlake. In an interview with The Associated Press this week, though, she pointed to a former contestant from this season of the FOX reality show.

Sorry, Blake. It was Sanjaya Malakar.

"He had so much guts," Sparks said. "He had so much strength. He got a lot of criticism, but for him to go out on that stage and hold his head high ... I really look up to him for that. He's just an amazing kid."

Seems like somewhat strong praise for Sanjaya. Although his sister, Shyamali Malakar, ain't too shabby.

Sparks said "the point of the show ... is to keep who you like, who you want to see the next week. Sanjaya gave that to the people."

We can't argue with that. Most men, however, would prefer it Antonella Barba nude had given a little somethin somethin to them.

Sparks and Malakar will sing with other finalists on the American Idol concert tour, which kicks off July 6 in Sunrise, Fla., and wraps up Sept. 23 in Manchester, N.H.

After that, Sparks says she intends to "hit the studio very hard" to finish work on her upcoming solo album, which "has to be out before Thanksgiving." Her main goal, she says, is to record "encouraging" tracks.

"I want people to roll down the windows and blast the music loud. ... It will be just a Jordin album and, hopefully, people will like it."