Guarini actually turned down the opportunity to perform inThe Lion Kingso that he could be on American Idol a show that, at that time, was a risk to join. The following year, iTunes promoted an album for the commercial mascot with video clips, promotional pictures, and a Twitter page for the character. Guarini shared his thoughts on Twitter following the launch of the new commercial. 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. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. The door flings open and a spotlight shines on Lil' Sweet, played by American Idol alumnus Justin Guarini, who sings his arrival as the daughter runs off scared. ". Justin turned his focus from albums to performing live and took to stage and film acting. A Shakespeare Theatre musical that may be headed to Broadway", "Briga Heelan, Justin Guarini, and Aisha Jackson Will Star in Broadway's, "American Idol finale: After 10 years, the beat goes on", "BWW CD Reviews: Broadway Records' WHERE THE SKY ENDS: THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL MOTT Awakens Dreamers", "USATODAY.com Guarini to star in 'Good Vibrations', "Ask a Star: Justin Guarini of American Idiot | Videos", "Full Cast Announced for Justin Guarini-Led RENT at Surflight", "American Idiot's Justin Guarini Will Star in Media Theatre's Chicago", "Talking with Justin Guarini, starring in 'Ghost Brothers of Darkland County' | Radio & TV Talk", "Justin Guarini Will Star in Muny Production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Christian Camargo, Justin Guarini and Roslyn Ruff Join Cast of Broadway Revival of Romeo and Juliet - Playbill.com", "Christine Dwyer, Jenni Barber, Justin Guarini & More to Join Cast of WICKED in February", "Highlights From Paint Your Wagon With Keith Carradine, Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini", "First Look at Keith Carradine, Alexandra Socha, and Justin Guarini in Paint Your Wagon", "Photo Call: First Look at Justin Guarini in Bucks County Playhouse Production of Company", "Justin Guarini, Rose Hemingway & More Will Star in MOONSHINE: THAT HEE HAW MUSICAL at Dallas Theater Center", "Justin Guarini Leads Cast of Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical", "Justin Guarini, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Rupert, Sally Struthers Set for Reading of First Gentleman Musical", "Justin Guarini, Michele Ragusa and Euan Morton to Lead New Musical CAKE OFF at Bucks County Playhouse", "In Transit on Broadway: Justin Guarini joins a capella musical cast", "Read the Reviews for Britney Spears Jukebox Musical Once Upon a One More Time", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Justin_Guarini&oldid=1139771515, University of the Arts (Philadelphia) alumni, 21st-century African-American male singers, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 20:39. 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. "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. 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. 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. Lil Sweet, the Dr. Pepper mascot he started playing in 2015, is back in a new commercial. In 2016, Guarini attended the Tony Awards, and co-hosted backstage coverage of the live broadcast in conjunction with BroadwayHD.com.[36][37]. Via PledgeMusic, Justin released his 17-track EP, JG, in 2016. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) The Recap Group. The couple tied the knot in 2009 after dating for three years. 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.". "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Lil Sweet comes to the rescue in the latest 30-second ad spot by bringing the zero-calorie beverage to a cupcake-filled birthday party. It was reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Eldrin has 13 children - nine of whom are adopted. 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. 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. Published. During that time, the singer also learned to play the guitar, piano, and banjo. Not On RCA Records, Apparently Music, Celebrity, Artist News", "Idol Star Guarini Leaves Company of Good Vibrations", "American Idol's Justin Guarini Marches Down the Aisle", Justin Guarini Joins Broadway's Women on the Verge; Casting Complete, "Justin Guarini's 'Breakdown' getting a beatdown from theater critics", "Broadway's 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' lacks an edge", "Theater review: 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' at the Belasco Theatre | Culture Monster", "Davey Havok, Justin Guarini, Van Hughes Will Be New Leads of Broadway's American Idiot", "Justin Guarini Welcomes Son William Neko", "Broadway s Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad Coming to Fathom Events Network of Movie Theaters Nationwide", "Justin Guarini Nabs Lead in 'Wicked' on Broadway", "Caroline Bowman and Kara Lindsay Will Be Broadway's New Wicked Witches; Robin De Jesus, Matt Shingledecker to Also Join Cast", "Emily Skinner, Shuler Hensley, Justin Guarini Set for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY Workshop, 12/5", "Photo Flash: First Look at Justin Guarini, Lauren Molina, Jill Paice and More in Bucks County's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE", "Review: 'Paint Your Wagon,' Starring Keith Carradine, Opens at Encores! [22], In 2015, he starred in the New York City Center Encores presentation Paint Your Wagon. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Jerry reportedly has eight children, including Justin.At Lenape Middle School, Justin impressed Bucks County Music Festival director Donald Dumpson - a professor at Westminster Choir College and composer who has worked with notables like Patti LaBelle and Boyz II Men - so thoroughly that he canceled the rest of the auditions. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Scroll down to find out what Justin Guarini is up to today. In a new Dr. Pepper commercial, Justin Guarini reprises his role as Lil' Sweet. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. Clad in red and white getups, the two stars rock out to a full house of deliriously happy, soft drink-guzzling fans, one of whom is rendered unconscious by the pyrotechnic excitement of this "delicious duet." ", 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. ", "Drink Up! The Fansville Dr. Pepper commercial has three actors. [citation needed], In 2021, Guarini starred as Prince Charming in the world premiere of the jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time. "I'm not claiming that every Lil' Sweet advertisement during the National Championship leads to a Bulldogs victory, but . that at one point he and Kelly Clarkson's relationship did get romantic. The season one runner-up "sings in the key of sweet. By Madeline Boardman. 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. In the past 30 days, commercials featuring Justin Guarini have had 72,728 airings. 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. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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. [11][12][13], Guarini played Will, one of the three male leads in Green Day's rock musical American Idiot performing March 1, 2011, through the show's closing night, April 24, 2011. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Justin's solo at the festival, "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," won him a standing ovation.Justin attended University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and School for Film & Television, New York City (1999-2000). He appeared on other TV guide network shows, hosted movie premieres, and provided on-air coverage of award shows. No, thats not the Darknesss Justin Hawkins or Stix Zadinia from Steel Panther rocking out in those new, going-viral-as-we-speak Diet Dr Pepper commercials. 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. 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. Shortly after he was accepted on the show, Guarini was offered a role on Broadway - he chose to stick with Idol. From Idol to ads! 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. 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. In 2002, Justin's life changed forever when he turned down a role in The Lion King to audition for American Idol. Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! [17] Guarini joined the Broadway production of Wicked, in the role of Fiyero from February 25 to December 14, 2014. Justin Guarini is back. The Idol alum continues to direct and produce musicals. See Justin Guarini and Rose Hemingway Go Country in Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical", "Justin Guarini Joins the Muny Cast of Mamma Mia! 6. Justin Guarini Returns as Lil' Sweet in New Dr. Pepper Ad In other news, Guarini recently appeared as Julio in a revival of Paint Your Wagon at New York City Center. In the ad, Lil Sweet defies gravity by sliding down the banister as he rescues two dads craving a cupcake, but fearful of the calories. He recently appeared in the Britney Spears jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time as Prince Charming at the Shakespeare Theatre Companyin Washington, D.C. A singing competition where participants compete to impress the American public and judges - Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to win a recording contract. and they went on to co-star in the critically panned (but undeniably fun) musical vacation flickFrom Justin to Kelly. 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. By Taylor Weatherby Updated March 31, 2015 at 11:30 PM EDT. After losing to Kelly Clarkson, he went on to co-star with her in the box-office bomb "From Justin to Kelly" and try his hand as a recording artist. 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. [14], On April 26, 2011, his first child with wife Reina Capodici, William Neko Bell Guarini, was born. 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's no lifeguard, but he presents her with an ice-cold Diet Dr Pepper that gives him the shivers and makes her swoon. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). [2][3] After moving to Pennsylvania in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Justin Guarini is in a new Diet Dr. Pepper commercial. Now, 20 years after his American Idol debut, Justin has created a life for himself that he is happy about. "The Midnight Voices" was founded "to serenade their 'female friends' the night before high school graduation," but the group went on to burn a CD and take second at the 2000 Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival Mid-Atlantic Regional. He went on to sign with 19 Management, landing a record deal with RCA. Since 2015, Guarini has been starring as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing. "I'm so happy and proud, and just over the moon about how well she has done." Justin Guarini is married to wife Reina Capodici. 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. Justin attended the University of the Arts, where he took up vocal performance and theater studies. After taking a sip, the father invites Lil' Sweet into the house to . He was also considering a contract offer from an independent record label, but the show's rules prohibited participants from having existing record contracts. You can watch funny Diet Dr Pepper commercial featuring Justin Guarini for Lil' Sweet. ", "Telly Leung, Justin Guarini Among Cast of A Cappella Broadway Musical in Transit", "Wicked Star Justin Guarini and More Join NYCLU's Broadway Stands Up for Freedom", "Justin Guarini & Mary Testa Set to Host IMAGINE Concert to Benefit Brian Werbel Memorial Fund", "Justin Guarini & Krysta Rodriguez to Host BROADWAY ON THE HUDSON on 9/27", "Justin Guarini and Kerry Butler to Host Times Square Tony Awards Simulcast", "Justin Guarini and Deborah Cox Will Host Times Square Simulcast of Tony Awards", "16 Fun Facts We Learned on the Tonys Behind-the-Scenes Livestream Show", "Diet Dr Pepper Lil' Sweet Self Employed", "Diet Dr Pepper's Lil' Sweet Is Back, and Sweet-Talking All Over Your House, in New Ads", "What's next for Britney Spears fans? But Guarini has flown pretty under the radar since then. After Idol, Justin signed with 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has returned to our television screens as a beloved character. Justin Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad THR Staff March 27, 2015, 4:24 PM Justin Guarini is back. Shortly after he was accepted on the show, Guarini was offered a role on Broadway - he chose to stick with Idol. Dr. [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. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. 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.). Top 5 Most Exciting Diet Dr Pepper Lil Sweet Feat Justin Guarini Commercials 2016 BEST TV ADS COMPILATIONS 297 subscribers Subscribe 271 views 5 years ago It's cable reimagined No DVR. 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. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. In 2013, he wrote a blog post about the struggles of his post-"Idol" life. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People reported that the couple married on September 26, 2009. This time, he shows up to give a can to people who deserve it. Subscribe for Latest Update! His sister says that he imitated Michael Jackson's style and was known to 'moonwalk' around the house. Hes also appeared on Broadway, making his debut in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in 2010. 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'. Justin Guarini became the first runner-up on American Idol, ultimately losing to Kelly Clarkson during season one of the singing competition. Diet Dr Pepper mascot Lil' Sweet and the Doctor himself team up in a "Sister Christian"-inspired power ballad that celebrates the two-in-one flavors of Dr Pepper & Cream Sodas. You can connect with Justin Guarini on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. You can watch all Dr Pepper Lil Sweet commercials featuring Justin Guarini in one video. The film was critically panned,[5] while the album sold 146,000 copies. Marketing Stack Integrations and Multi-Touch Attribution. Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. Of course, we all remember Guarini for competing against Kelly Clarkson on the first season of American Idol back in 2002. Guarini's musical experience started at age four when he was accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir. He studied vocal performance and theatre in Philadelphia and New York before auditioning for American Idol in 2002. Teen Mom Cheyenne Floyd STUNS in tight white dress for over-the-top engagement photoshoot with fianc Zach Davis. Im not saying that 100% of National Championship Lil Sweet commercials lead to a #Bulldogs win, but. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. 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. Multitalented entertainer Justin Guarini portrays him. 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. He then asks if it is hot in the room or if it was just him. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). The former "Idol" runner-up makes sweet music as Diet Dr Pepper's "Lil Sweet," looking unrecognizable in a long purple wig in the latest commercial titled "Birthday." 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. Justin Guarini, who finished second to Kelly Clarkson in season one of the reality singing competition, has been playing that part since 2015. All rights reserved. He also took on lead roles in numerous high school and college plays. Justin Guarini is best known for his time on season one of American Idol Credit: Getty 9 He is now known as Little Sweet in the Dr. Pepper commercials Credit: Dr Pepper Born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia, Justin was raised in the Philadelphia, PA, suburb of Doylestown. So what has Justin Guarini been up to? [35] He was an executive producer for the 2015 revival of the musical Side Show. He was a director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton Township, Pennsylvania, in 2001. Examples include a man who hangs his TV with just a little lean, a mother who got her kids to school 20 minutes late, and a man who passed an online test to prove hes not a bot. 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 and his wife Reina met in high school but the pair only started dating in the mid-2000s. [10] Critics called Guarini's debut "surprisingly charming", "captivating" and "extremely likeable". Kendrick Lamar album 2022: When is Mr Morale & The Big Steppers release date? Oh, not to mention his role as that groovy Prince-esque "Lil Sweet" guy in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. Nick Ballard plays the role of a Dr. Pepper fan. 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. Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell; October 28, 1978) [1] is an American singer, songwriter and actor who in 2002 was the runner-up on the first season of American Idol . Coming in second jumpstarted his singing career and made him go down in Idol history as one of the greats. Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. 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 . [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. Although he did not win out, the two finalists were clearly pals (or more?) I politely declined the offer of a role". Dr Pepper has launched a new commercial featuring Larry Culpepper. Would love your thoughts, please comment. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Pepper mascot he first appeared as in a commercial in 2015, has returned in a new ad. Immediately prior to American Idol, Justin was offered a seat in the prestigious master class program in "The Lion King" on Broadway; he auditioned for American Idol instead and couldn't take the offer from Lion King when he became an AI finalist. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Shortly after being chosen for American Idol, he was offered a role in the Broadway production of The Lion King. RememberAmerican Idol Season 1, when an unknown, Texas-born singer named Kelly Clarkson rose to superstardom and had her "Moment Like This?" His latest theater role was in 2016 and he is still active in the community. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. 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!