Jordin Sparks Talks New Song, The Pout-Pout Fish’s Great Message for Kids | Interview
ComingSoon spoke with The Pout-Pout Fish star Jordin Sparks about the new family movie. Sparks discussed her song “Coming Back To Me,” which is in the film, the movie’s themes, and what the role meant to her as a mother. Starring Sparks, Nick Offerman, and Nina Oyama, the film is out in theaters on March 20.
“Featuring a star-studded voice cast including Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, with Jordin Sparks, and Amy Sedaris. The Pout-Pout Fish is the hilarious and heartwarming story of an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish (Offerman), a pouty introvert, and Pip (Oyama), an energetic sea dragon, who embark on a daunting quest to find a legendary fish to grant their wish to save their homes,” says the official synopsis.
Tyler Treese: Jordin, a big theme in The Pout-Pout Fish is the assumptions we make based on appearances, both good and bad, and how that impacts others. What about this film really caught your eye and made you want to get involved?
Jordin Sparks: I think for me, my character, Shimmer, when I was reading about her and her characteristics…. I relate to Shimmer in a lot of different ways. I have been in the public eye from a very young age, similar to how the ocean has this idea of what Shimmer is, and she’s this prized possession and object that people are looking for. Being in the public eye at a young age, there were a lot of expectations and assumptions of who I should be, how I should carry myself, or what I should do.
So, I’ve definitely lived that, and I think it’s definitely a good message to not only teach kids not to judge a book by its cover, but also to give a nudge to the adults. Like, let’s remember this too. As we’re talking to our kids, we need to remember we all don’t know what each other is going through. Everybody you meet is going through something, whether it be joyous, sad, or challenging, but we’re all trying to make it.
So I loved being a part of this. I loved being a part of a family movie that everybody can go to when you leave and it’s uplifting, and I think we need a lot more of that. So I’m really, really grateful that I was able to be a part of this.
Yeah, we can all use that reminder for sure.
Since you are a mother, what does it mean for you to be a part of these pieces of art that really do have a really good message for not just kids, but families like you were saying, and they can all enjoy it together? What does it mean for you to be a part of that?
I love it. It, It means the world to me. I am already, in some ways with my music, a part of people’s journeys in their life, and I’ve always wanted to tell stories and sing songs and make art that uplift people and leave you better than you were before, you know? So, if somebody listens to my song, I hope after they’re done listening to it, they feel different, they feel better. Like they can take on whatever the challenges or they feel like they were heard or seen. So to be able to be a part of a family movie that, it’s just good. It’s just good. It feels good.
Also for me and my little family, my son is eight years old, and I wanna be a part of things that I can look back on and he can watch, and I’m like, “Yep, you can watch that,” and also be proud, but also that he can do anything he sets his mind to. But these are all good lessons that we need to know.
So I’ll be seeing this with my son. I can’t wait to go see it. Hopefully he’ll be able to… I wonder if he’s gonna recognize my voice. I haven’t said anything yet. I don’t think he’s seen the character yet, so I wanna know if he’s gonna recognize my voice when we go see it.
Oh, that’s very exciting. I hope he does.
You’ve got a song in this, too. “Come Back to Me.” It’s very catchy. What did it mean for you to contribute both as an actor and a musician, and to have that song in there?
Jordin Sparks: I mean, it’s just the full circle. When you watch a movie, especially when you’re a kid, the song that ends the movie is like what you remember. You go in the car and like, “Dad, can you find this and put it on?” So, I’m hoping that this song becomes one of those songs that kids just wanna sing at the top of their lungs.
For me, music is something that I have to do. It’s in my bones, whether I’m on stage in front of 10,000 people or I’m in my shower, like I have to sing. So, I’m grateful that not only do I get to use my voice to give a voice to a character who in the book doesn’t really say much. But I also get to use my voice in the way that I know I’m supposed to be doing that. I know that it’s my purpose. So there’s a lot of great, great things to be a part of this project.
You also voiced Fish in The Chosen Adventures. Why do you think everybody is thinking of you when they need a talking fish? What’s up with that?
That’s a good question, actually. That is so funny. I didn’t even realize it. But you’re right, I did play a little fish too. I don’t know, maybe little animated fish just seems so encouraging and happy, and I don’t know. Maybe they think that correlates between the two. But I have no problem. If there’s more fishes coming up, I’m down.
Thanks to Jordin Sparks for taking the time to talk about The Pout-Pout Fish.
Source: Comingsoon.net