An “American Idol” winner from the show’s glory days on Fox is lighting up the screen this Christmas with some holiday flair and a secret twist. Jordin Sparks, 35, stars in “Merry Little Mystery,” which premiered November 19, 2025 for streaming on The Roku Channel.
The story starts when Sparks’ character, Natasha, comes to stay with the grandmother who raised her for the holidays after learning the charming local shop she works at is closing its doors. She settles in for a relaxing break before hopping on the job hunt, but things get shaken up when the women are paid a surprise visit from a dashing reporter hot on the trail of a closely guarded town secret.
Where Was ‘Merry Little Mystery’ Filmed?
“Merry Little Mystery” was filmed in Montreal, Canada, per a statement Sparks gave to Deadline. Casting Master said the project was scheduled to shoot from March 17 to April 4, 2025 in the area.
Sparks spoke in an interview to GMFB about what a thrill it was to be surrounded by real snow while filming the holiday movie, especially considering she never saw a white Christmas growing up in Glendale, Arizona.
“It’s really fun. This particular film, I actually got to experience snow filming a Christmas movie, and usually I don’t. Usually, I film them in June, like in the middle of summer. It was really fun to be able to do that, and I was excited,” she said, before joking, “After five seconds, my feet froze and I was over it.”
Fans Raved About Jordin Sparks’ New Christmas Movie
Sparks took to her Instagram on November 20 to share her excitement about her new Christmas film. She shared a cozy onset photo bundled up in mittens and a scarf, and told her followers, “Get ready for some holiday cheer because ‘Merry Little Mystery’ is yours to stream exclusively on the Roku Channel! Can’t wait for you to feel all the holiday magic.”
One fan replied, “It’s so good! On my second time watching.”
Another wrote, “Yay, a movie about my two favorite things: Christmas and mysteries.”
Which Season Did Jordin Sparks Win ‘American Idol’
Sparks won “American Idol” in season 6. The finale, which aired May 6, 2007. The episode, which saw Sparks edge out Blake Lewis to take the crown, pulled 29.5 million viewers, per The Hollywood Reporter.
In October 2025, Sparks told Parade she would give future contestants the following advice: “I would tell the younger contestants to not really sweat the small stuff. Don’t try to nitpick it. Just focus on yourself and focus on how you’re going to make yourself better each week.”
