Jason Derulo: 'Jordin was instrumental to my recovery'

R&B star Jason Derulo has heaped praise on his singer girlfriend Jordin Sparks for her efforts in aiding his recovery from a 2012 neck injury.

The Whatcha Say hitmaker fractured a vertebrae in his neck after falling awkwardly on his head during a dance routine practise and underwent several months of rehabilitation to recover.

The singer admits that the gruelling process was a humbling experience as he lost his independence and had to be assisted with the smallest of tasks, but insists that the everyday struggles brought him closer to the former American Idol star.

He tells E! News, "The recovery process was crazy too, because as a man, you're just so used to being independent and doing things yourself. Not being able to do things like tie my own shoes or take a shower by myself is pretty humbling.

"It really gave me a chance to get to know myself and really get close to my family and it got me closer to Jordin, which is also really amazing. It really did bring a lot of positive to my life. It gave me a chance to look at my life and decipher what was positive and what was kind of taking up space.

"Jordin was very instrumental in my recovery. The simplest things that we take for granted, like tying my shoes or putting on a shirt, she was right there for me. That situation brought us very close because I think it takes a very special person to drop everything they've got going on in their life, especially someone of her caliber, to come and aide me. That was really special."