Jordin Sparks took a while to accept her bod

June 1, 2007

Jordin Sparks

American Idol Season 6 champ Jordin Sparks says that it took a long time for her to accept her body shape. Thank goodness she won the American Idol talent search. She wouldn’t have gained more confidence the faster way.

“I think it really helped boost her self-esteem and made her realize she’s beautiful as she is,” her grandmother, Pam Weidmann, tells PEOPLE for its new issue. Jordin’s mom, Jodi, says of her daughter’s May 23 victory: “It was huge to see her confidence level grow. … She’s standing taller now.”

Jordin is the youngest contestant in the competition yet it seems that she is the biggest among the girls standing at 5′10″. Jordin won the nationwide talent search beating beatboxer Blake Lewis. Now, she thinks she a lot happier about herself and has finally possessed the confidence that she once lacked before she went to American Idol.