Sparks battling sore throat, leaves Keys tour

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Jordin Sparks is battling an acute vocal cord hemorrhage, and has dropped off the just-launched Alicia Keys tour while she recovers.

The 2007 "American Idol" winner was forced to cancel three shows over the weekend, including the opening night of Keys' tour Saturday in Hampton, Va., and an Earth Day gig at Washington, D.C.'s National Mall.

"Jordin is on a vocal rest, but she's expected to make a full recovery and join Alicia on tour in May," said a spokesperson for Sparks' Jive label

Sparks has been heating up the Billboard Hot 100 of late, reaching a new peak last week of No. 3 on the Hot 100 with the single "No Air" featuring labelmate Chris Brown.

Reuters/Billboard