Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo at 'American Idol.' Michael Becker/FOX
Jason Derulo says girlfriend Jordin Sparks kept him from sinking into depression following a serious spine injury. And after four and a half months of being in a neck brace, Derulo said performing his new single “Undefeated” during the "American Idol" finale performance show Wednesday felt like a second chance.
“I am two weeks removed [from the neck brace] and tonight’s performance was invigorating," he told FOX411's Pop Tarts column. "It was like a second chance at life, I had a great time up there."
Derulo shared how the last four months have held their challenges.
“This experience was crazy because I could literally not be standing here right now. I could really be in a wheelchair or not be here at all in the situation," he said. "[The accident] taught me to love life and live everyday like it’s your last.”
The “In My Head” singer suffered an acute fracture to his vertebrae in January, the result of landing on his head during rehearsals for his international tour.
Luckily for Derulo, he had his girlfriend, "American Idol" alum Jordin Sparks, to keep him in good health and good spirits.
“Just her being there when she could have been anywhere else in the world was an impact for me," he said. “I guess the best way to put it is that she was the backbone to the situation, a lot of people get really low into crazy depression and stuff like that but when you have someone it makes everything so much better.”
Earlier this year, when the pop power couple confirmed their relationship to People magazine, Derulo said his accident brought the pair closer.
“She lives in Phoenix and she comes [to Miami] and takes care of me, brings me breakfast in bed and she'll go on walks with me," he said. "It's awesome to have someone you can talk to and she's a wonderful person."
The two differ, however, on who will be this year’s "American Idol" winner.
“If I was voting tonight I would vote for Jessica, I am team Jessica. Jordan is actually team Philip," he said.
The two have even placed bets and if Sparks guesses the winner, he has to cook for her, a feat for the singer who says: “I can’t even cook a hot dog.”
And if Derulo wins, Sparks has to give him a 10-minute foot massage.
“She hates feet," he says.
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