*Jordin Sparks has played many roles throughout her career, but her latest may be the one that hits closest to home. The singer and actress voices Shimmer in the upcoming animated family film “The Pout-Pout Fish,” directed by Ricard Cussó and Rio Harrington and arriving in theaters nationwide on March 20.
In “The Pout-Pout Fish,” Nick Offerman voices Mr. Fish, a pouty introvert who teams up with Pip, an energetic sea dragon voiced by Nina Oyama. Together, they embark on a daring journey to find a legendary fish who might grant their wish and save their homes. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious figure named Shimmer—voiced by Sparks—who carries a reputation that echoes throughout the ocean.
Sparks said the character’s experience of being misread by others resonated with her immediately. “Shimmer is like this mythical creature to everyone in the ocean. Everybody wants her, wants to see her or be around her for either what they think she can do, what they think she should do, all of these preconceived notions.”
That kind of outside pressure is something the “American Idol” winner knows well. “As somebody who has been in the public eye from a very young age, I understand her in that way. So when I read her description and her traits, I was like, wow, I am Shimmer. Shimmer is me. I understand this.”
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One of the more unexpected aspects of bringing the character to life was that Shimmer says very little in the original book. Sparks relished the opportunity that created. “Not only am I able to play this beloved character, but I’m also giving her a voice for the first time.”
The recording process itself stretched across continents, with Sparks working remotely while the production team connected from Australia. “It was very collaborative with the director and the producers. We did this across the ocean in Australia. I was here in the States, and they were on zoom and it was very much a back and forth.”
For an unexpected vocal reference, Sparks turned to everyday life at home. “The other thing that I used while we were doing it was my mom voice. Thank you to my son, DJ, for helping me figure out how to use the voice for her, because I think that definitely helped too.”
At its heart, the film carries a message Sparks believes is just as necessary for grown-ups as it is for children. “The lesson don’t judge a book by its covers is a lesson that kids obviously need to learn. It’s a great reminder for us as adults.”
For Sparks, the timing of the film’s release feels meaningful. “The world is on fire. We need as much good as we can find.”
Watch our full conversation with Jordin Sparks below.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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