Upcoming singing star Jordin Sparks has had to cancel concert dates and pull out for the time being from Alicia Keys’ tour because of a problem with her vocal chords. Jordin’s representative said she was pulling out of the tour temporarily after doctors diagnosed her with acute vocal cord hemorrhage.
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Along with missing the first part of Alicia Keys’ tour, which started on April 19 with a concert in Hampton, Va., Sparks also had to pull out of a concert scheduled for April 20 at Pennsylvania State University’s Bryce Jordan Center. She will also miss another concert scheduled at the Earth Day Network and Green Apple Festival in Washington, D.C.
Speaking about the cancellation, a spokesman for the Bryce Jordan Center said, “Because of the risk of permanent vocal cord damage, Sparks has been ordered to strict vocal rest and will not be able to perform anywhere until her condition improves.”
The Bryce Jordan Center issued a statement regarding ticket refunds for the concert as well. It said all fans who had bought tickets for the concert using their credit cards would receive an automatic refund. Tickets paid for in cash would be refunded by check.
The statement by the BJC said all fans who paid for tickets in cash, check, or Lion’s Cash at a Bryce Jordan Center, would have to return them physically or through mail to 240, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802.
Talking about Sparks’ illness, a spokeswoman for 19/Jive records told Associated Press, “All of her April activities have been postponed or canceled so she can take care of her voice properly. “
The spokeswoman for the record label further said, “Jordin Sparks is on vocal rest and is expected to make a full and complete recovery. Sparks has been going nonstop over the past two years and now she's going through the normal course of learning how to manage and care for her voice.”
The 18-year old Sparks has been the youngest American winner of American Idol. She won the event in its sixth season last year and has since taken giant strides within the music industry, releasing her first album towards the end of 2007.
Acute vocal cord hemorrhage is a condition that arises due to the rupturing of one of the blood vessels in the vocal cords. The condition is remediable, but in extreme cases can lead to loss of vocal ability. That is why doctors have advised Sparks to give complete rest to her vocal cords till she recovers completely.
Speaking about ways to prevent this illness from recurring, throat and sinus specialist Dr. Jordan Josephson says, “They should warm their voice up in the morning just like you stretch before you go running. You should see a board certified specialist and get some of those exercises and its good.”