JUSTIN Guarini is best known for being the runner-up on season one of American Idol, but what has he been up to since?
From acting on stage to raising a family to starring in a television ad, Justin Guarini has done it all.
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Born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, GA, Justin was raised in the Philadelphia, PA, suburb of Doylestown.
His father, Eldrin Bell is a former Georgia Chief of Police and is African American.
Justin’s mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN.
He was primarily raised by his mother and his step-father, Jerry Guarini.
Now, 20 years after his American Idol debut, Justin has created a life for himself that he is happy about.
PUTTING IN THE WORK
Justin joined boys choirs throughout his time in school and even became the lead vocalist in an acapella group called The Midnight Voices.
He also took on lead roles in numerous high school and college plays.
During that time, the singer also learned to play the guitar, piano, and banjo.
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Justin attended the University of the Arts, where he took up vocal performance and theater studies.
After graduating, he moved to New York City and enrolled in the School for Film and Television.
There he worked in nightclubs and auditioned for theater roles.
BECOMING AN IDOL
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In 2002, Justin’s life changed forever when he turned down a role in The Lion King to audition for American Idol.
The judges were very impressed with his audition and couldn’t believe he was still undiscovered.
In the end, Justin became the runner-up on the first season of Idol, losing to Kelly Clarkson.
Coming in second jumpstarted his singing career and made him go down in Idol history as one of the greats.
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After Idol, Justin signed with 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA.
FROM IDOL TO ALBUMS
About one year after his time on Idol, Justin released his debut, self-titled album.
It also happened to coincide with the season 2 finale and the release of the movie, From Justin to Kelly.
Sadly, the film did not receive great ratings from critics.
Aside from From Justin To Kelly, he has also starred in Fast Girl, Forgotten Son, Wizards of Waverly Place, Blaze and the Monster Machines, and independent films.
That same year, he was dropped from RCA.
In 2004, he starred in the pre-Broadway presentation of Good Vibrations but turned down the chance to star in the Broadway production.
Wanting to continue his singing career, Justin independently released his second album, Stranger Things Have Happened Here.
ON-AIR DUTIES AND AN EP
Taking a break from releasing music, Justin became a co-host for Idol tonight and Idol Wrap from 2007 to 2011.
He appeared on other TV guide network shows, hosted movie premieres, and provided on-air coverage of award shows.
Then, in 2008, the theater actor released a three-song EP titled Revolve, which was co-written by Shaun Ingram.
One year later, Justin kept up with his public appearances by attending the grand opening of The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
FORMING RELATIONSHIPS
Although Justin has moved on, he did confirm in 2014, during his one-man show, Lovesick, that he and Kelly dated for a short time, which started on the set of From Justin to Kelly.
Their relationship did not last due to her career taking off.
They were best friends throughout their time on the show and have remained friends to this day, with Justin making an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019.
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But while Justin was at the American Idol Experience, he confirmed his impending marriage to his fiancee, Reina Capodici at that time.
They married a few months later in September 2009.
In 2011, he and Reina welcomed their first child together, a son named William Neko Bell Guarini.
Then in 2013, his wife gave birth to their second son, whom they named Asher.
She has a daughter from a previous relationship.
Although he did live in LA for many years, Justin confirmed to Visit Bucks County that he moved back home to raise his family.
TURNING TO BROADWAY
Justin turned his focus from albums to performing live and took to stage and film acting.
He made his Broadway debut in 2010 in Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown.
From there, Justin went on to star in American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, Wicked, Rent, Chicago, Company, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and many others.
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His latest theater role was in 2016 and he is still active in the community.
He attended the 2016 Tony Awards, where he co-hosted backstage coverage of the live show.
Justin still performs stage readings as well as hosts many Broadway-related benefits.
TELEVISIONS ADS AND MORE
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While continuing his career with the Broadway community, Justin is now focused on his family and has turned to TV commercials.
Since 2015, the 43-year-old has played Lil’ Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials and web marketing.
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The following year, iTunes promoted an album for the commercial mascot with video clips, promotional pictures, and a Twitter page for the character.
Releasing music for Lil’ Sweet inspired him to make music again.
Via PledgeMusic, Justin released his 17-track EP, JG, in 2016.
Aside from Lil’ Sweet, Justin has continued to act, with his last two roles in 2018 and 2019.
The singer released a book in 2019 called Audition Secrets.
He also played Prince Charming in the 2021 regional show, Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears Jukebox Musical.
Justin performs in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade from time to time and has been a co-host throughout the years.
The Idol alum continues to direct and produce musicals.
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