Justin Guarini

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Justin Guarini
Atlanta Hard Rock Cafe (2012) Guarini playing with fellow musicians following play performance of 'Ghost Brothers'.
Background information
Birth name Justin Eldrin Bell
Born (1978-10-28) October 28, 1978 (age 37)
Columbus, Georgia
Origin Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Jazz, soul, funk, R&B, pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actor, television host
Instruments Piano, guitar, vocals
Years active 2002–present
Labels RCA Records (2002-03)
Justice Entertainment, Ltd.
Website JustinGuarini.com

Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell; October 28, 1978) is an American singer/musician, actor, host and producer, who in 2002 was the runner-up on the first season of American Idol.

Early life[edit]

Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia. His father, Eldrin Bell, is African American, and is a former Atlanta, Georgia, Chief of Police, and former Chairperson of Clayton County Commission (Georgia). His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, is Italian American, and was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Guarini was primarily raised by his mother and stepfather, physicist Jerry Guarini, in Philadelphia's suburb of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.[1][not in citation given] He attended Central Bucks High School East.

Career[edit]

Beginnings[edit]

Guarini's musical experience started at age four when he was accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir.[2][3] After moving to Pennsylvania in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir.[4] Throughout his school years Guarini sang in school choirs, and from 1996-2000 was the lead soloist in an award winning a cappella group named The Midnight Voices. The group released an independent album in 1999 with proceeds benefiting a music scholarship fund at Guarini's alma mater, Central Bucks High School East in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. He was a director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania in 2001.

His high school and college theater credits include the lead roles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Little Prince, The Pirates of Penzance, The Taming of the Shrew, and Once on This Island. In addition to singing and stage performing, Guarini plays the piano, guitar, and banjo.

After studying vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Guarini later moved to New York City where he attended the School for Film and Television. He worked in New York nightclubs, and auditioned for New York Theater before successfully auditioning for American Idol in April 2002. Shortly after being chosen for American Idol, he was offered a role in the Broadway production of The Lion King. Guarini wrote about his decision between the two offers in his exclusive 2008 blog for the television site, Fancast, stating, "I had attended master classes… I learned Zulu and Sotho phrases, as well as the music from the show. It was a dream almost come true at the time. But, now I knew I was onto something, and I wasn’t letting go. I politely declined the offer of a role...". He was also considering a contract offer from an independent record label, but the show's rules prohibited participants from having existing record contracts.

American Idol[edit]

Idol judge Simon Cowell praised Guarini's performance in the show's first season, at one early audition telling him "Justin, you know, occasionally you're very privileged when you do a competition like this to hear somebody undiscovered who has a voice like yours", with Guarini ultimately becoming the runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in September 2002. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. Prior to the American Idol Tour, he was the only contestant asked to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show, on which Oprah Winfrey told him, "Justin, you have it."

Justin leaping down stairs as he sings on the American Idol Tour in Atlanta, Georgia (2002).

Reviews during the American Idol Tour described Guarini as a "revelation" (Los Angeles Times),[citation needed] and "easily the best performer"(Boston Herald).[citation needed]

American Idol performances[edit]

Week Theme Song Sung Artist Order Result
Top 30 Semifinal Group 2 "Ribbon in the Sky" Stevie Wonder 10 Advanced
Top 10 Motown "For Once in My Life" Stevie Wonder 6 Safe
Top 8 1960s "Sunny" Bobby Hebb 7 Safe
Top 7 1970s "Someday We'll All Be Free" Donny Hathaway 4 Bottom 2
Top 6 Big Band "Route 66" Nat King Cole 2 Safe
Top 5 Burt Bacharach Love Songs "The Look of Love" Dusty Springfield 4 Safe
Top 4 1980s
1990s		 "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
"Get Here"		 Michael Jackson
Brenda Russell		 4
8		 Safe
Top 3 Idol's Choice
Judges' Choice		 "Let's Stay Together"
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"		 Al Green
Elton John		 2
5		 Safe
Top 2 Finale "Before Your Love"
"Get Here"
"A Moment Like This"		 Justin Guarini
Oleta Adams
Justin Guarini		 1
3
5		 Runner-Up

2003–04: Justin Guarini[edit]

JustinGuarini concert screencap

His self-titled album, Justin Guarini, debuted in June 2003, coinciding with the single releases of the current second season American Idol top two finalists and the movie From Justin to Kelly, in which Guarini co-starred with Kelly Clarkson. The film was critically panned,[5] while the album sold 146,000 copies. In December 2003 Guarini was dropped from RCA Records.[6]

Guarini had a role in the 2004 pre-Broadway New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater workshop/presentation of the musical Good Vibrations at Vassar College. His performance (which included singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar) landed Guarini an offer to continue the role in the original Broadway production, which he eventually declined.[7]

2005–07: Stranger Things Have Happened[edit]

Guarini co-produced his second album Stranger Things Have Happened, independently released in December 2005 through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, Ltd.. The album of reinvented jazz standards was described by Allmusic as "a successful reinvention... where his natural skills shine", The Philadelphia Inquirer said that "Guarini displays an agile, attractive voice with good phrasing, supported by a sophisticated and funky backing ensemble."

Guarini wrote, co-arranged and recorded a benefit song released with H.H. Gayuna Cealo, and a song for the documentary series Project Everlasting, in August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened was also used in the documentary.

From 2007-2011, TV Guide Network signed Guarini as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. On-air duties with the network expanded to include guest hosting/appearances on other TV Guide Network shows, hosting movie premiere specials, and serving as a member of TV Guide Network's awards show team with on-air coverage of awards shows such as the Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards.

2008–09: Revolve[edit]

In May 2008, Guarini released an acoustic EP titled Revolve comprising three songs ("Sweet Time", "Rock Bottom", and "When She Cries") co-written and co-produced with Shaun Ingram. Versions of the songs are planned to be included on a future solo album.

While stepping out to support the opening of The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios[8] in February 2009, Guarini confirmed his impending marriage to his fiancee, Reina Capodici. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People reported that the couple married on September 26, 2009.[9]

2010–present: Actor/Host/Performer[edit]

'American Idiot' with Justin Guarini
'Ghost Brothers of Darkland County' with Justin Guarini
'Wicked' with Justin Guarini as Fiyero.

Guarini became a part of the Broadway community beginning with his 2010 Broadway debut as the timid Carlos in an original musical adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's 1988 film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.[10] Co-star Patti LuPone described the newcomer as "very, very talented," adding "He's smart as a whip, he adapts instantly and he's unbelievably sweet".[11] Critics called Guarini's debut "surprisingly charming", "captivating", and "extremely likeable".[12][13][14]

Guarini's debut follow-up on Broadway was as substance-abuser Will, one of the three male leads in Green Day's Tony-winning rock musical American Idiot performing March 1, 2011 through the show's closing night, April 24, 2011.[15]

Two days later, on April 26, 2011, his first child with Capodici, William Neko Bell Guarini was born.[16] His second child, Asher, was born on February 25, 2013.[17]

In 2013, Guarini was cast in the original-language, multi-racial, modern Broadway production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as Romeo's rival Paris, opposite Orlando Bloom as Romeo, and Tony nominee Condola Rashad as Juliet. After it's Broadway run, the live-filmed stage play was released in movie theatres.[18] Immediately following, he joined the long-running Broadway production of Wicked, in the role of Fiyero from February 25 to December 14, 2014.[19][20]

Other stage work includes lead roles in regional reproductions of Rent, Chicago, Company, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Original regional productions include the spooky Ghost Brothers of Darkland County with Guarini as one of two feuding brothers in a musical created by horror writer Stephen King, Grammy-winner John Mellencamp, and T Bone Burnett, presented in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.[21][22] In It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play Guarini voiced George Bailey in a 2015 on-stage comedic production of a radio show telling the story, using props to create sound effects.[23]

In 2015, he starred in the New York City Center Encores presentation Paint Your Wagon. Praised by critics,[24][25] Guarini played outcast Mexican miner who wins the heart of the daughter of another miner played by Keith Carradine. Possibly Broadway bound, Guarini starred in the 2015 original musical "Moonshine: The Hee Haw Musical" premiering at the Dallas Theater Center on September, 2 through October 11,[26][27][28] and Mamma Mia! in 2016.[29]

Guarini participates in Equity staged readings such as The Awakening of Angel DeLuna,[30] hosts and/or performs for various Broadway/Stage-related benefits,[31][32] and other industry-related events including Broadway on the Hudson.,[32][33] the Times Square Tony Awards Simulcast in 2014 and 2015,[34] adding executive producer duties in 2015.[35] He was an executive producer for the 2015 revival of the musical Side Show.

In 2016 Guarini attended the Tony Awards, and co-hosted backstage coverage of the live broadcast in conjunction with BroadwayHD.com.[36][37]

He's also acted in independent film projects such as the drama/action film Fast Girl, The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, Mafioso II: The Son, and the short film Tilt-a-Whirl for the Dances With Films festival.

Starting in 2015, Guarini stars as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing.[38][39][40] In 2016, Dr. Pepper "promoted" tunes for a Lil' Sweet "album" with video clips, promotional pictures of the character, and the character's own Twitter page.[41][42] All commercials and clips are available on Dr. Peppers' YouTube channel.

Guarini has been a recurring commentator for Today Show, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Style Channel, Comcast, and Larry King Live.[citation needed]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

An EP of original music will be released by Guarini approximately July 30, 2016.[43]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details Peak Certifications
(sales threshold)
US
1999 The Midnight Voices
  • As lead vocalist
  • Released: 1999
 —
  • US sales: N/A
2003 Justin Guarini 20
  • US sales:146,000[44]
2005 Stranger Things Have Happened
  • Released: December, 2005
  • Label: Justice Entertainment, Ltd
 —
  • US sales: N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other contributions[edit]

  • Foreign Shores by David Hughes (featured vocalist) 2009
  • The Awakening of Angel DeLuna (cast album) 2009
  • I Could Use a Drink by Drew Gasparini (featured vocalist) 2012
  • Where the Sky Ends: Music by Michael Mott by Michael Mott (featured vocalist) 2014[45]
  • Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Original Broadway Cast) 2011
  • Paint Your Wagon (cast album) 2014

EPs[edit]

  • Revolve (Acoustic) (May 2008)

Songs[edit]

  • Did You Know That I Know Your Journey? (2006) (vocals, music, co-produced)
  • Everlasting for documentary Project Everlasting (2006) (vocals, music, lyrics, piano)
  • What You Won't Do for Love for Drivetime Reflections (2010) (vocals)

Filmography/Theater[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Title Role
2003 From Justin to Kelly Justin Bell
2008 Fast Girl Darryl K. Sands
2014 Romeo and Juliet Paris

Theater roles[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "nydailynews.com". 
  2. ^ Sexton, Beth. "Atlanta Boy Choir to perform at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit". 
  3. ^ "Justin Guarini in world premiere of Stephen King musical". 
  4. ^ "A Comeback for Justin Guarini". 23 July 2007. 
  5. ^ "From Justin To Kelly (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  6. ^ Moss, Corey (2003-12-02). "Where's Justin Guarini These Days? Not On RCA Records, Apparently - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 
  7. ^ "Idol Star Guarini Leaves Company of Good Vibrations". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  8. ^ "'American Idol' Alumni Justin Guarini Planning Summer Wedding | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 
  9. ^ "American Idol's Justin Guarini Marches Down the Aisle". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  10. ^ Justin Guarini Joins Broadway's Women on the Verge; Casting Complete playbill.com, August 19, 2010
  11. ^ "Patti LuPone Dishes About Women on the Verge, Rockers on Broadway & More". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  12. ^ "Justin Guarini's 'Breakdown' getting a beatdown from theater critics". 
  13. ^ Marks, Peter (5 November 2010). "Broadway's 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' lacks an edge" – via washingtonpost.com. 
  14. ^ "Theater review: 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' at the Belasco Theatre". 4 November 2010. 
  15. ^ "Davey Havok, Justin Guarini, Van Hughes Will Be New Leads of Broadway's American Idiot". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 
  16. ^ "Justin Guarini Welcomes Son William Neko – Moms & Babies – Moms & Babies - People.com". Celebritybabies.people.com. 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 
  17. ^ "Justin Guarini Welcomes Son Asher – Moms & Babies – Celebrity Babies and Kids - Moms & Babies - People.com". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  18. ^ "Broadway's Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad Coming to Fathom Events' Network of Movie Theaters Nationwide - Broadway's Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad Coming to Fathom Events' Network of Movie Theat...". 
  19. ^ Amabile Angermiller, Michele (February 5, 2014). "Justin Guarini Nabs Lead in 'Wicked' on Broadway". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2014. 
  20. ^ Gioia, Michael (November 20, 2014). "Caroline Bowman and Kara Lindsay Will Be Broadway's New Wicked Witches; Robin De Jesus, Matt Shingledecker to Also Join Cast". Playbill. Retrieved November 20, 2014. 
  21. ^ http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/entertainment/music/ghost-brothers-of-darkland-county-a-musical-horror/nQzSp/
  22. ^ BWW News Desk. "Emily Skinner, Shuler Hensley, Justin Guarini Set for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY Workshop, 12/5". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  23. ^ a b BWW News Desk. "Photo Flash: First Look at Justin Guarini, Lauren Molina, Jill Paice and More in Bucks County's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  24. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/theater/review-paint-your-wagon-starring-keith-carradine-opens-at-encores.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
  25. ^ "Theater Review: At Encores!, Paint Your Wagon Is Way Better Than It Oughta Be". 
  26. ^ "First Look! Take a Gander at Broadway-Aimed Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical". 
  27. ^ Desk, BWW News. "Photo Flash: Meet the 'MOONSHINE' Cast & Creative Team, Beginning Previews Tonight in Dallas!". 
  28. ^ "Drink Up! See Justin Guarini and Rose Hemingway Go Country in Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical - Playbill". 
  29. ^ a b "Justin Guarini Joins the Muny Cast of Mamma Mia!". 
  30. ^ Eddie Varley. "Justin Guarini's 'AWAKENING'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  31. ^ Editorial Staff (11 July 2014). "Wicked Star Justin Guarini and More Join NYCLU's Broadway Stands Up for Freedom". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  32. ^ a b http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Justin-Guarini-Mary-Testa-Set-to-Host-IMAGINE-Concert-to-Benefit-Brian-Werbel-Memorial-Fund-20140811.U_uDg-Yo50s
  33. ^ BWW News Desk. "Justin Guarini & Krysta Rodriguez to Host BROADWAY ON THE HUDSON on 9/27". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  34. ^ BWW News Desk. "Justin Guarini and Kerry Butler to Host Times Square Tony Awards Simulcast". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  35. ^ "Justin Guarini and Deborah Cox Will Host Times Square Simulcast of Tony Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  36. ^ Technology, BroadwayHD(TM) & Tilson. "News: 38 - BroadwayHD". 
  37. ^ Writer, Matt Smith2; Theatre, Specialties Include; Entertainment, Other Forms of (24 June 2016). "16 Fun Facts We Learned on the Tonys Behind-the-Scenes Livestream Show". 
  38. ^ "Diet Dr Pepper – Lil' Sweet Self Employed". youtube.com. 2015-02-19. 
  39. ^ Diet Dr Pepper – Lil’ Sweet ‘Birthday’ (2015). YouTube. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  40. ^ "Diet Dr Pepper's Lil' Sweet Is Back, and Sweet-Talking All Over Your House, in New Ads". 
  41. ^ "Watch Lil' Sweet's Album!". 
  42. ^ "Lil' Sweet (@DietDrPepper) - Twitter". 
  43. ^ "Justin Guarini: New EP". 
  44. ^ Lisa de Moraes (23 May 2011). "American Idol finale: After 10 years, the beat goes on". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  45. ^ David Clarke. "BWW CD Reviews: Broadway Records' WHERE THE SKY ENDS: THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL MOTT Awakens Dreamers". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  46. ^ "USATODAY.com - Guarini to star in 'Good Vibrations'". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  47. ^ Eddie Varley. "Justin Guarini's 'AWAKENING'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  48. ^ "Justin Guarini Is Happy on the Verge". 
  49. ^ "Ask a Star: Justin Guarini of American Idiot". 
  50. ^ BWW News Desk. "Full Cast Announced for Justin Guarini-Led RENT at Surflight". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  51. ^ "American Idiot's Justin Guarini Will Star in Media Theatre's Chicago". Playbill. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  52. ^ "Not Found". 
  53. ^ "Justin Guarini Will Star in Muny Production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". Playbill. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  54. ^ Playbill.com Christian Camargo, Justin Guarini and Roslyn Ruff are among the latest actors to join the new interracial Broadway production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
  55. ^ Christine Dwyer, Jenni Barber, Justin Guarini & More to Join Cast of WICKED in February Broadway World, Retrieved February 3, 2014
  56. ^ "Highlights From Paint Your Wagon With Keith Carradine, Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini". Playbill. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  57. ^ Editorial Staff (18 March 2015). "First Look at Keith Carradine, Alexandra Socha, and Justin Guarini in Paint Your Wagon". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  58. ^ "Photo Call: First Look at Justin Guarini in Bucks County Playhouse Production of Company". Playbill. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  59. ^ BWW News Desk. "Justin Guarini, Rose Hemingway & More Will Star in MOONSHINE: THAT HEE HAW MUSICAL at Dallas Theater Center". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  60. ^ Andy Lefkowitz (18 June 2015). "Justin Guarini Leads Cast of Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  61. ^ "Justin Guarini, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Rupert, Sally Struthers Set for Reading of First Gentleman Musical - Playbill". 
  62. ^ Desk, BWW News. "Justin Guarini, Michele Ragusa and Euan Morton to Lead New Musical CAKE OFF at Bucks County Playhouse". 

External links[edit]

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