“Being a mom is all about the relationship you have with your kids, how you see yourself in them, and how they mirror the things that you do. They’re a mirror for you to see that the things that need to be healed, things that need to be enjoyed, things that need to be embraced”- Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks was honored alongside Alex Isley, Brooke DeVard, Dalia Batie, Jhene Aiko, and Lizzy Mathis at the 1st Inaugural Moms Honors event.
Jordin Sparks approached the podium drenched in tears as she struggled to keep her skillfully, artistically applied eye makeup from smudging her entire face with the only beauty weapon she had on deck – a beauty blender. The audience sat in awe as her golden, glistening dress lit up the room like she’s done so many times before on so many different stages across the globe.
Sparks’ mother Jodi Weidmann Sparks delivered a beautiful, emotional, truthful, funny poem that moved her so deeply that she admitted to the audience “I look like a wreck, I’m trying to keep myself together.” Her mother, who has a terrible fear of speaking in front of people, delivered her presentation speech-poem with conviction, enthusiasm, and passion. “Just look at me and we’ll be good,” she said to her nervous mother. And with that encouragement, her delivery was described by Jordin as “Amazing, It was so beautiful.”
Sparks was one of six mothers to be honored with the exquisite teddy bear trophy at the 1st Annual inaugural Mom Honors alongside Singer-songwriter Alex Isley, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Singer-songwriter Jhene Aiko, Internet Personality Brooke Devard, Delia Batie (Mother of Andra Day) and Actress Lizzy Mathis.
With numerous winnings, nominations, and film projects under her belt Sparks’ talents have been recognized by the MTV Video Music Awards, Grammy Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Teen Choice Awards, American Music Award, People’s Choice Awards, Soul Train Awards and the GMA Dove Awards. As she approaches nearly two decades as an accomplished singer, this moment is special because not only was it the first time that she was being honored, but she was being honored for being a mother.
When asked how it feels to be honored for being a mother Sparks told ThisIsRnB, “It feels really amazing actually, I’ve never really been honored before so for my first time to be honored as a mom is really special. I take so much pride in being a mom, I love it, it’s my favorite thing that I do.” For Sparks being a mother means being fun, being there, being present, kind, and supportive but most of all she wants her son DJ to know that she loves him more than anything in the world.
Like mother, like daughter – Sparks is known for being brutally honest. While honesty is a valuable characteristic, she admits that it may have gotten her in trouble at times and even been a factor in the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship that they both agree has “strong heart ties.”
“All of the things she said in the poem are true. I really can’t tell a lie, I’m honest to a fault sometimes. And I have amazing people here with me. My cousin Laura knows that I’m also honest to a fault. Sometimes, a lot of times actually, I have to apologize for my tone of voice. I’m not arguing, I’m just like “Hey no, No! Relationships arent perfect in any aspect that we look at them. And being a mom is all about the relationship you have with your kids, how you see yourself in them and how they mirror the things that you do. They’re a mirror for you to see the things that need to be healed, things that need to be enjoyed, things that need to be embraced,” Sparks shared in a moment of reflection.
“Sometimes the relationships can get a little rocky and sometimes you can go a while without speaking or really understanding each other especially when your mom is very strong and I get that from her. And sometimes we clash but you’re right the heartstrings are there and they’re strong. And I’m so happy that we are on [Oh my gosh, I’m falling apart]. I’m so happy that we’ve been able to rekindle and rebirth something new. It’s a new relationship – it’s not like it was before. It’s not like it was when I was 5, it’s not like it was when I was 10, 15, 20, 25, even 30,” she explained.
In a moment of truth, Sparks reminisced on growing up as a young child and hearing her mother say “Just wait, until you become a mom. Just wait, you just wait.” Young Sparks would say to herself “Yea okay Mom, I understand. Looking back she humbly admits, “No, I didn’t! I didn’t! I did not, I did not understand until DJ was in my arms. Every time something happens she can still hear her mother’s voice in her head. “She told me, she told me I would understand when I was a mom and I really do,” she recalls.
Sparks glanced upon her mother with awe and gratitude as she spoke words of admiration to the woman who birthed her into the world. “The things that you have instilled in me have carried me throughout everything. Throughout my career and my time in the public eye where all people want to do is tear you down. In my relationships which is kind of like a mental health chart when you look back at it, your words have always helped me, your examples have always helped me.”
Founded by Phylicia Fant and Markeisha Darden, the prestigious celebration highlighted the remarkable achievements of mothers in the industry, gathering influential members of both the community and the industry alongside fellow moms and friends to honor and appreciate their outstanding contributions. Going beyond being a memorable occasion, the Mom’s Honors serves as a platform to express gratitude and admiration for the incredible mothers who inspire us with their journeys and accomplishments.
The star-studded event included Whitney Alford (wife of Pulitzer-prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar), Adrienne Banfield-Norris (mother of Jada Pinkett), Singer-songwriter Andra Day, Fashion Consultant and Entertainment Executive Eula Smith and many more. The event was produced by Khalil Miles and Joi Brown.
*photos credit: Jerritt Clark