Jordin Sparks
Gossip

Are Jordin Sparks and Steph Jones, a singer-songwriter and ex-model to whom she has been romantically linked, ready to take it to the next level?

"We don't know whether or not to go further or to just keep the friendship," the singer, 19, told People at the 57th Annual BMI Pop Awards. "It's crazy. We've got the feelings, but we don't know whether or not to say it out loud."

One thing is for sure: Steph Jones keeps her feeling bubbly inside: "He's a really good guy," the sixth American Idol champ says. "A lot of fun."

So how did the two initially link up? Jordin Sparks proudly admits it was she who made the first move: "I met him two years ago," she says.

"He was writing for Blake Lewis, who got second place [on Season 6 of American Idol]. I was like, 'Can I get your contact information because you are a songwriter?' I was still working on my album and he was the only person I knew in L.A."

"Every time I would come I would say, 'Hey, you want to hang out?' "

They did just that.

The pair have been seen cheering at L.A.'s Lakers-Rockets playoff game at L.A.'s Staples Center and slow dancin' to Michael Buble's live rendition of (the appropriately titled) "Me and Mrs. Jones" during the Gamble and Huff icon tribute.

"We've gotten really close," Jordin confirms, although the question of whether the two will start dating officially is still up in the air. For now.

"We'll see what happens," says Sparks.

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Steph Jones, her model/singer beau, took in the sights at the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets game last night in L.A.

They look like a very happy couple ...

Houston-born Steph, 24, was pulling for the visitors, Tweeting “Cali is mad quiet [right] now… I can here a pen drop n this bad boy… LETS GO ROCKETS!!!!!”

Hope Steph's other traits make up for his lack of spelling acumen.

The American Idol winner, 19, offered her own post-game reactions via Twitter: “What an amazing game to go to! So much drama! Whooooooo! 1-1 this is gonna be an awesome series! (still not rooting for LA) LOL!”

The Lakers ultimately shut down the Rockets, 111-98, evening the series 1-1 and leaving Steph Jones disappointed. Oh well. At least he has Jordin Sparks.

Click to enlarge more photos of Jordin and Steph ...

Today's two biggest celebrity birthdays have next to nothing in common.

Jordin Sparks won the sixth season of American Idol, and almost more significantly, is an idol American girls can actually look up to. Her down-to-earth nature, self-confidence and family-first values make this 19-year-old a rare star in this era.

Ali Lohan, who turns 37 15 today? She's a train wreck in training.

Not entirely of her own volition, of course. With mom Dina Lohan pimping her hard, Ali has no choice but to become a raging crack whore for the entertainment industry and follow in the twisted, drug-addled footsteps of big sis Lindsay.

Emancipate yourself, Ali. Do it soon. New York courts are so liberal, they might actually go for it. Then move in with Jordin. There's still time!!

Anyway. Here's a photo tribute to the birthday girls. Click to enlarge ...

Ashley Tisdale and Nick Lachey hosted this year's Jingle Ball concert in New York City last night.

While these stars smiled for the camera backstage, they certainly weren't the only celebrities on hand.

The Hottest Couple of the Night award? That was an easy one to hand out, as Rihanna and Chris Brown performed a steamy song for fans...

What other entertainers turned out for the annual event? Click on the images below to find out!

Sorry, Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. You don't have a friend in Jordin Sparks.

At last night's MTV Music Awards, the former American Idol champion stood proudly for virgins everywhere.

She took exception to host Russel Brand's joke that The Jonas Brothers ought to ditch their purity rings in exchange for some serious action between the sheets. Prior to introducing T.I. for a performance, Sparks said to the crowd:

"I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut."

Bold, admirable words from the teenager. Do you agree with them?

No one on the planet can relate more to David Cook that last year's American Idol champion, Jordin Sparks.

After being in attendance at the show's finale and seeing Cook knock off David Archuleta for the title, Sparks offered the rocker one piece of important advice:

"Sleep as much as you can because you don't get any sleep. It's a year later and I still haven't gotten a whole eight hours of sleep yet … I'm still reeling from winning last year. But, I guess I would say just try and enjoy every moment you have.

David Cook and Jordin Sparks have a lot in common.

Like an endorsement for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton from Al Gore, the support of Jordin Sparks should mean a lot to this year's American Idol finalists.

With that in mind, the two heavy favorites - David Cook and David Archuleta - should rest easy tonight.

"I really like Jason Castro," Sparks told MTV News from the orange carpet at last weekend's Kids' Choice Awards. "I like his look, and I love his vulnerability. He goes out there, and if he messes up, he's just like, 'Oops.'

But I like David Cook too. I think the guys are where it's at this year. I love you, girls â€" please don't get me wrong â€" and I could be totally wrong, because the show is so unpredictable."

Jordin Sparks won American Idol last season. Who will win this season?

Come on now, Jordin, pick a winner.

"It's going to be either David Archuleta or David Cook," she said, before sating that she ultimately believes David Cook will be America's next Idol.

We hope she's right!

Wow. And we thought President Bush was being phony this afternoon when he pretended to approve of John McCain as the Republican nominee for president.

Take a look at what Bush was thinking when last year's American Idol champion, Jordin Sparks, performed at the White House earlier this year...

Do you agree? Do you think Blake Lewis should have won?

We wonder how Bush will feel about David Archuleta ... we mean, whoever ends up being crowed this year's American Idol champion.

It's an exciting day for American Idol fans:

The debut album from season six champion, Jordin Sparks, has officially been released. It's aptly titled "Jordin Sparks" and has received solid reviews so far.

Let us know if you purchase the CD and like it. And don't forget: Blake Lewis comes out with his first CD on December 4!

She came in first on American Idol this season.

But the first man that will ever see Jordin Sparks nude will be her husband.

That's because the 17-year old won't be havig sex until marriage. And while Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears shake their heads in confusion and disgust over this stance, we applaud the singer for it.

Back when she was 13, Sparks said she promised her parents she'd keep her virginity until her wedding night.

"My parents gave me a purity ring and talked to me about waiting until I'm married to have sex," Jordin said. "It wasn't forced; it just made perfect sense."

Hear that, Shannon Funk? Jamie Kennedy just isn't worth it.

"It's going to be awesome to say to my husband that I waited my whole life for him," Sparks added.

We admire the American Idol winner's parents for instilling such virtues in her. Way to be, Phillippi Sparks.

Call us crazy, but we believe Jordin's virginal claims more than we ever did those of Jessica Simpson.

Jordin Sparks responds to a reporter's question about the number of men she plans to have sex with.