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. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Though perhaps not every moment post-Idol has been easy, Guarini is extremely proud of his former competitor Kelly Clarkson. Don't miss a beat. Guarini performed on stage throughout high school and college and learned to play the piano, guitar, and banjo. Their relationship did not last due to her career taking off. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Profits are donated to a music scholarship fund at Central Bucks East High School.Justin directed amateur theater groups, including the Riverside Haunted Woods (where he first began growing the famous curls) pre-AI days and had the lead role in many musicals during high school and college (Pirates of Penzance, Phantom of the Opera, Edwin Drood, etc.). He's also acted in independent film projects such as the drama and action film Fast Girl, The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, Mafioso II: The Son and short film Tilt-a-Whirl for the Dances With Films festival. It is no secret that placing in the finals of American Idol can get you your 15 minutes of fame (see "Soul Patrol" patron Taylor Hicks), but not necessarily more than that. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly Clarkson has reprised his role as Lil Sweet in an odd series of Dr. Pepper commercials. Chief Bell is first cousin to acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson's wife, LaTonya.Stepfather Jerry Guarini is a retired Navy physicist.Mom Kathy is a former TV journalist and anchor at CNN and is now a freelance broadcast journalist and Realtor in Doylestown. Oh, not to mention his role as that groovy Prince-esque "Lil Sweet" guy in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. Kendrick Lamar album 2022: When is Mr Morale & The Big Steppers release date? "I can say without a doubt that she will always be a friend and that I will always be, and have always been, one of her biggest fans," he told HuffPostin 2018. Justin Guarini is married to wife Reina Capodici. He's no lifeguard, but he presents her with an ice-cold Diet Dr Pepper that gives him the shivers and makes her swoon. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Lil known fact about Lil Sweet: He sings in the key of sweet and always carries a spare six pack of Diet Dr Pepper with him. March 27, 2015. Early life [ edit] Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia. Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost. During that time, the singer also learned to play the guitar, piano, and banjo. It also happened to coincide with the season 2 finale and the release of the movie, From Justin to Kelly. From there, Justin went on to star in American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, Wicked, Rent, Chicago, Company, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as many others. Taking a break from releasing music, Justin became a co-host for Idol tonight and Idol Wrap from 2007 to 2011. From Idol to ads! Jill ORourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like AGT, The Voice, and American Idol. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Although he did not win out, the two finalists were clearly pals (or more?) They married a few months later in September 2009. They have two kids together, named William and Asher. But Broadway seems like it is not a detour for Guarini, but a destination. His first concert was The Jacksons' "Victory Tour." Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has returned to our television screens as a beloved character. Also, Who is Justin Guarini's wife? Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. He studied vocal performance and theatre in Philadelphia and New York before auditioning for American Idol in 2002. Duggar fans 'CRINGE' as Jim Bob and Michelle teach daughter Jessa and husband Ben how to KISS in 19 Kids & Counting clip, Taron Egerton splits from girlfriend of six years Emily Thomas after collapsing on stage and pulling out of theatre show, Watch Teen Mom Leah Messer RIP MTV cameras out of her car in explosive new show clip. Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has returned to our television screens as a beloved character. After taking a sip, the father invites Lil' Sweet into the house to . ", "Drink Up! In 2002, Justin's life changed forever when he turned down a role in The Lion King to audition for American Idol. About one year after his time on the singing show, Justin released his debut, self-titled album. During the thrilling first season of Idolin 2002, when America had found its new pop culture craze and Brian Dunkleman was still a co-host, Clarkson came to embody the show's promise right out of the gate. American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini stars in a new ad campaign for Diet Dr Pepper.. Guarini takes on an alter ego named Lil' Sweet in the commercial. His Idol cohort Kelly Clarkson is slated to appear on the Fox show as a mentor on April 1. [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. 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. Original regional productions include Ghost Brothers of Darkland County as one of two feuding brothers in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, is Italian American, and was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Its actually another American Idol alum (and another Justin), Justin Guarini and clearly self-employed rocker Lil Sweet is the role he was born to play. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly Clarkson has reprised his role as Lil' Sweet in an odd series of Dr. Pepper commercials. Justin Guarini is in a new Diet Dr. Pepper commercial. ". He appeared on other TV guide network shows, hosted movie premieres, and provided on-air coverage of award shows. The Midnight Voices CD can be purchased. His high school and college theatre 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. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit, Let us know what you feel about this article. Justin Guarini as Lil' Sweet croons to the man that his hard work deserves a sweet Diet Dr Pepper. [15] His second child, Asher, was born on February 25, 2013. The musician released a book in 2019 called Audition Secrets. Justin Guarini Returns as Lil' Sweet in New Dr. Pepper Ad A middle school acquaintance was fellow choir member at the time, pop singer Pink.In 1996, Justin helped to form an a Capella group with school friends. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Chief Bell is first cousin to acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson's wife, LaTonya. Lil' Sweet raises a can of Diet Dr Pepper and tells the dad he deserves it for building a house with a tiny tool. Justin Guarini, who finished second to Kelly Clarkson in season one of the reality singing competition, has been playing that part since 2015. Seriously, if Justin Guarini had looked and sounded like this back in Season 1, I totally would have voted for him. Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! The pint-sized heavy metal-soul man shows up at a suburban home unexpectedly where a childs birthday party is in progress to deliver zero calorie sweet treats., Kelly Clarkson Dishes on Justin Guarini, Miley Cyrus on Watch What Happens Live, He sings in the key of sweet and always carries a spare sixpackof Diet Dr Pepper with him, reads a description on the soft drinks YouTube channel. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. LIL' SWEET is a fictional miniature musician who finds his home in various Dr. Pepper advertisements. But Broadway seems like it is not a detour for Guarini, but a destination. Lil Sweet, the Dr. Pepper mascot he started playing in 2015, is back in a new commercial. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Multitalented entertainer Justin Guarini portrays him. You can watch funny Diet Dr Pepper commercial featuring Justin Guarini for Lil' Sweet. Justin isn't the only actor starring as a. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Dr. Pepper commercials often feature miniature musician Lil' Sweet, Justin Guarini almost won the first season of American Idol, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2012), It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (2012). ", By His father, Eldrin Bell, is African-American and is a former Atlanta, Georgia, Chief of Police, and former chairperson of the Clayton County Commission in Clayton County, Georgia. ", His eponymous album 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. Justin Guarini became the first runner-up on American Idol, ultimately losing to Kelly Clarkson during season one of the singing competition. These Dr. Pepper commercials might even be the only place youve seen him. Mar 27, 2015 136 Dislike Share Save Wochit Entertainment 183K subscribers Justin Guarini is back. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, GMB's Kate Garraway reveals crippling cost of caring for her husband Derek, Stephen Bear 'broke behind bars' as his company is shut down before he's jailed, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Advertisement. Guarini also performed in American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, and Wicked. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People reported that the couple married on September 26, 2009. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Bruce Springsteen & Steven Van Zandt Pay Tribute to Late Director Jonathan Demme, The Voice Key Adviser Shania Twain Reveals the Soccer Inspiration Behind From This Moment On: Exclusive, Fifth Harmonys Normani Kordei Talks Dancing With The Stars, Girl Group Night and New 5H Music. Since 2015, the now 43-year-old has played Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials and web marketing. Gayuna Cealo, and a song for the documentary series Project Everlasting, in August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. Guarini shared his thoughts on Twitter following the launch of the new commercial. in 2016. Son, William Neko Bell Guarini was born April 26, 2011; Asher Orion Guarini was born February 25, 2013. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. The beloved character has appeared in commercials since 2015. . [2][3] After moving to Pennsylvania in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. [28] Also in 2016, Guarini was cast in Broadway's new In Transit, the first a cappella musical with book, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan, and Sara Wordsworth.[29]. Justin Guarini TV Commercials We don't make the ads - We measure them Sign up to track 19 nationally aired TV ad campaigns for Justin Guarini. The Georgia-native singer ended up losing to pop songstress Kelly Clarkson, who now has several Grammy Awards to her name! Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened was also used in the documentary. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly. From acting on stage to raising a family to starring in a television ad, Justin has done it all. Guarini finally made his Broadway debut in 2010, appearing in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Follow Lyndsey on Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Amazon, Tumblr, Vine, Spotify, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. You can watch all Dr Pepper Lil Sweet commercials featuring Justin Guarini in one video. Now, what about the singer who had his "moment" as runner-up, Justin Guarini? The late Nikki McKibbin, Justin, and Kelly at FOX-TVs American Idolin Los Angeles, Ca. Shortly after he was accepted on the show, Guarini was offered a role on Broadway - he chose to stick with Idol. The Choir generally does not accept children under six years of age.With a mother in the television industry, and a father always in the public spotlight, Justin's drive to entertain came naturally. In the end, Justin became the runner-up on the first season of the competition show, losing to Kelly Clarkson. If you ask us, he deserves more just for that falsetto! Lil Sweet is BACK yall! Guarini wrote on Twitter after the new commercial premiered. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Justin Guarini is best known for his time on season one of American Idol, He is now known as Little Sweet in the Dr. Pepper commercials, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on American Idol. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. film did not receive great ratings from critics. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Releasing music for Lil' Sweet inspired him to make music again. Then president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, called in--from Airforce One--his best wishes to Kathy Guarini, whom he knew from her CNN association, upon hearing the news of Justin's birth. [35] He was an executive producer for the 2015 revival of the musical Side Show. The couple tied the knot in 2009 after dating for three years. Justin Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad THR Staff March 27, 2015, 4:24 PM Justin Guarini is back. Guarini's musical experience started at age four when he was accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. [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. Guarini, best known known as the runner-up on American Idol 's debut season in 2002 when Kelly Clarkson took the first title, has since . He did reveal to E! Justin was nationally voted runner-up on the debut season (2002) of "American Idol - The Search for a Superstar", in which there had been over 10,000 to audition. Wanting to continue his singing career, Justin independently released his second album, Stranger Things Have Happened Here. It was really a difficult decision," Guarini told TheaterMania. All Rights Reserved. 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. He then asks if it is hot in the room or if it was just him. Guarini starred in the 2015 original musical "Moonshine: The Hee Haw Musical" premiering at the Dallas Theater Center on September 2 through October 11,[25][26][27] and Mamma Mia! 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. "Lil' Sweet is BACK, y'all!" says the rapper. In 2016, Guarini attended the Tony Awards, and co-hosted backstage coverage of the live broadcast in conjunction with BroadwayHD.com.[36][37]. Stepfather Jerry Guarini is a retired Navy physicist. American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini stars in a new ad campaign for Diet Dr Pepper. 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. . There he worked in nightclubs and auditioned for theater roles. Justin Guarini is back. Published February 19, 2019 Advertiser Diet Dr Pepper Advertiser Profiles Facebook, Twitter, YouTube . Reports estimate that he's getting paid about $250,000 a year to appear in the somewhat bizarre series of spots. I politely declined the offer of a role". He attended the 2016 Tony Awards, where he co-hosted backstage coverage of the live show. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Guarini made a name for himself in Season 1 of "American Idol." Guarini participates in Equity staged readings of The Awakening of Angel DeLuna,[30] hosts and/or performs for various Broadway and 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. Justin turned his focus from albums to performing live and took to stage and film acting. In 2013, the singer actually sat down with Oprah, and revealed that his fame from American Idol may have helped his career, but it damaged his life. Justin attended the University of the Arts, where he took up vocal performance and theater studies. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). 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. He was primarily raised by his mother and his step-father, Jerry Guarini. Marketing Stack Integrations and Multi-Touch Attribution. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. He is also set to star as Bobby in the play Company at the Bucks County Playhouse from May 29 through June 21. Meanwhile, lest we forget Guarini, the curly-haired singer impressed audiences and charmed his way to the finals alongside Clarkson. All rights reserved. He also played Prince Charming in the 2021 regional show, Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears Jukebox Musical. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. In other news, Guarini recently appeared as Julio in a revival of Paint Your Wagon at New York City Center. Justin Guarini is an American singer and actor who is best known for his role . Now in his 40s, Guarini has had roles in a number of Broadway musicals, including Wicked, Romeo and Juliet, and American Idiot (per Broadway World). 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. His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Georgia Chief of Police and is African American. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Join the Fun!! Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. It was reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Eldrin has 13 children - nine of whom are adopted.