Whitney Houston returns to the big screen for the first time in 15 years in Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 Motown-era film. In the first official still from the movie (via PEOPLE), the legendary singer plays mother to her co-star, Jordin Sparks.

“Part of the fun of making this movie is definitely the costumes and the hairstyles,” the 48-year-old diva tells PEOPLE. “The movie is set in 1963, and we had a great wardrobe, hair and makeup person and I loved wearing the outfits.”

Sparks makes her film debut alongside Houston. “She was so cool and very motherly toward me,” says the 22-year-old “American Idol” winner, who plays a singer who hits it big. “If I ever looked like I needed something, here she came saying ‘Are you okay?’”

Sparkle, which marks Houston’s first big-screen role since The Preacher’s Wife in 1996, opens in theaters on August 10.

Nas and Diddy hung out with the cast of The Hangover Part II at the movie’s premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday (May 19). The Queens rapper met up with Mike Tyson and Ron Artest, while Diddy—who is currently going by the name “SWAG”—befriended Robert Downey Jr. and Bradley Cooper. “Dancing With the Stars’” Romeo and a svelte Jordin Sparks arrived together, adding fuel to the rumors that the two are dating.

Usher turned up the heat with his labelmate Jordin Sparks during his “OMG Tour” stop at the Jobing.com Arena in her homestate of Arizona on Friday (Nov. 19). The R&B heartthrob, dripping in sweat, seduced the 20-year-old “American Idol” champ with “Trading Places,” while the seemingly uncomfortable songstress reclined on a chaise lounge. Watch Ursh give Jordin a truly OMG moment.

Usher was all smiles as he introduced his 15-year-old protégé Justin Bieber at Z100′s Jingle Ball 2009 on Friday (Dec. 11). The two dueted on Usher’s hit “U Got It Bad,” and Bieber also performed “No Air” with Jordin Sparks. Jay Sean, Pitbull, Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert, and more rocked the (jingle) bells at the sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Jordin Sparks, Adele, and Leona Lewis

New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music was filled with D-listers, as in divas, as VH1 brought back its “VH1 Divas” telecast on Thursday (Sept. 17). The Paula Abdul-hosted show featured pairings of young divas with old-timers including Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis and Cyndi Lauper, Adele and India.Arie, and Jordin Sparks and Martina McBride. Toni Braxton and Keri Hilson were among the presenters.

Diva-in-the-making Jordin Sparks is all grown up in the video for “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play),” the second single from her sophomore album Battlefield, directed by Chris Robinson. Watch the clip in high quality below.

Jordin Sparks is stepping in for Ciara on the second leg of Britney Spears’ North American Circus tour.

In a press release on Spears’ official website, Jordin Sparks was announced as the new opening act. The release goes on to include previously announced opener Kristinia DeBarge, who will perform on all dates, while up-and-comers Girlicious and One Call will appear in select cities. Ciara is not mentioned.

“Britney’s show is incredible and for me to be a part of it is a great opportunity,” Sparks said in a statement.

Ciara previously spoke about hitting the road with Spears in North America after performing on several of the pop star’s U.K. dates over the summer. “I did a few days with her in the U.K. and that turned into us doing all these dates coming up, so I’m excited about it,” the “Love Sex Magic” singer told Rap-Up.com in July.

Both Jordin Sparks and Ciara are signed to Jive Records. Leg two of “The Circus Starring Britney Spears” kicks off August 20 in Hamilton, Ontario. Click here for tour dates.

UPDATE: A rep for Ciara has confirmed to Rap-Up.com that she is no longer on the tour. She may perform on a couple spot dates, but nothing has been announced at this time.

Jordin Sparks’ sophomore album Battlefield arrives in stores and online tomorrow. Did the 19-year-old pop star come out victorious? Find out below.

Entertainment Weekly: Battlefield actually contains enough potential hits to keep the singer in heavy rotation until well into “Idol’s” 10th season. Sparks even co-penned four tracks, including “Faith,” the best “AI” anthem the show has never had. A-

The New York Times: Battlefield, her expertly constructed second album, upholds a darker, more experienced tone without losing an ounce of melodrama. Ms. Sparks, now a worldly 19, has her principles, including a stake in overblown emotion.

Newsday: She gives a personal twist to “Emergency (911)” that makes the dance number work. But it’s the big ballads—“Was I the Only One,” “Faith,” and “The Cure”—where her vulnerability and booming voice work best together, where she sounds like a true teenager with actual teenager problems and beliefs. B-

Boston Globe: But this is nowhere near the knockout the 19-year-old pop star should have delivered. No one expects edginess, but a powerhouse voice like Sparks’ deserves something more to work with than these leftovers.

Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Battlefield,” “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play),” “Watch You Go,” “No Parade”

Jordin Sparks goes from the “Battlefield” to the dance floor with her new single, “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play),” which samples Shannon’s ’80s hit of the same name. The “American Idol” winner’s sophomore album Battlefield arrives July 21.

Jordin Sparks – “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)”

Love is a “Battlefield” in the video for Jordin Sparks’ first single off her sophomore album of the same name, due July 21. The clip was shot in California with director Philip Andelman.