Subscribe for Latest Update! He appeared on other TV guide network shows, hosted movie premieres, and provided on-air coverage of award shows. The spot premiered during Monday nights College Football Playoff National Championship. They have two kids together, named William and Asher. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) The Recap Group. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). The couple tied the knot in 2009 after dating for three years. Paula Abdul Admits to Kicking Simon Cowell Under American Idol Desk, Singer Turns Four Chairs in The Voice Early Release Audition, Daniella Karagach Shares Friends Reactions to Finding Out About Her Pregnancy. Justin Guarini - Biography - IMDb Now, 20 years after his American Idol debut, Justin has created a life for himself that he is happy about. 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." Mar 27, 2015 136 Dislike Share Save Wochit Entertainment 183K subscribers Justin Guarini is back. 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. Dad Eldrin Bell is a former Atlanta police chief and Clayton County (Ga.) Commission Chair. Real-Time Video Ad Creative Assessment A tiny Justin Guarini emerges from the deep end of the pool as Lil' Sweet to give Mom a break from blowing up that giant inflatable swan. He made his Broadway debut in 2010 in Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown. The film was critically panned,[5] while the album sold 146,000 copies. There he worked in nightclubs and auditioned for theater roles. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. But, now I knew I was onto something, and I wasn't letting go. Justin Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad - YouTube But Broadway seems like it is not a detour for Guarini, but a destination. Then in 2013, his wife gave birth to their second son, whom they named Asher. 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. His sister says that he imitated Michael Jackson's style and was known to 'moonwalk' around the house. 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.". Original regional productions include Ghost Brothers of Darkland County as one of two feuding brothers in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Diet Dr Pepper TV Spot, 'Lil' Sweet: Pool Toy' Featuring Justin Guarini I politely declined the offer of a role". Justin Guarini is in a new Diet Dr. Pepper commercial. 2010present: Acting, hosting and performing, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, "Today's famous birthdays list for October 28, 2022 includes celebrities Julia Roberts, Matt Smith", "Atlanta Boy Choir to perform at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit | News", "Justin Guarini in world premiere of Stephen King musical", "Where's Justin Guarini These Days? SEE ALSO: KELLY CLARKSON HOSTS AMERICAN IDOL REUNION WITH JUSTIN GUARINI & ALL THREE SEASON 1 JUDGES! 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. Multitalented entertainer Justin Guarini portrays him. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. During that time, the singer also learned to play the guitar, piano, and banjo. These Dr. Pepper commercials might even be the only place youve seen him. 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. As you can see, it doesnt exactly take much to deserve a Dr. Pepper. 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. Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Pepper Commercial: Lil' Sweet Causes Social Media Uproar But Is It 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. Justin Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia, on October 28, 1978.Dad Eldrin Bell is a former Atlanta police chief and Clayton County (Ga.) Commission Chair. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Justin isn't the only actor starring as a. Although he did not win out, the two finalists were clearly pals (or more?) 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. The singer has been married to his wife Reina Capodici since 2009. He also played Prince Charming in the 2021 regional show, Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears Jukebox Musical. 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. Advertisement. It was reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Eldrin has 13 children - nine of whom are adopted. [17] Guarini joined the Broadway production of Wicked, in the role of Fiyero from February 25 to December 14, 2014. He then asks if it is hot in the room or if it was just him. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Wait, Is That Justin Guarini in the New Diet Dr. Pepper Commercial While he may be no pop leading man, he has still become impressively successful. While continuing his career with the Broadway community, Justin is now focused on his family and has turned to TV commercials. Justin Guarini is married to wife Reina Capodici. The musician released a book in 2019 called Audition Secrets. Justin Guarini became the first runner-up on American Idol, ultimately losing to Kelly Clarkson during season one of the singing competition. "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. ", "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? Releasing music for Lil' Sweet inspired him to make music again. 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 turned his focus from albums to performing live and took to stage and film acting. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. Justin Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad THR Staff March 27, 2015, 4:24 PM Justin Guarini is back. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The pint-sized heavy metal . 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. But Guarini has flown pretty under the radar since then. March 27, 2015. All Rights Reserved. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. In the end, Justin became the runner-up on the first season of the competition show, losing to Kelly Clarkson. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. 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. Justin Guarini is back on television 13 years after he made his debut on 2002's . After its Broadway run, the live-filmed stage play was released in movie theaters. Wanting to continue his singing career, Justin independently released his second album, Stranger Things Have Happened Here. [citation needed], In 2021, Guarini starred as Prince Charming in the world premiere of the jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time. LIL' SWEET is a fictional miniature musician who finds his home in various Dr. Pepper advertisements. Born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia, Justin was raised in the Philadelphia, PA, suburb of Doylestown. Guarini performed on stage throughout high school and college and learned to play the piano, guitar, and banjo. Justin Guarini is back. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. 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. The following year, iTunes promoted an album for the commercial mascot with video clips, promotional pictures, and a Twitter page for the character. Editor in Chief, Yahoo Music March 30, 2015, 1:34 PM No, that's not the Darkness's Justin. The spot premiered during Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship. [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. Who is the little guy in the Dr. Pepper commercial? 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). "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. Inside Justin Guarini's Life Today - NickiSwift Justin Guarini Returns to TV in Diet Dr Pepper Ad - Us Weekly Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. But in 2009, he married his high school sweetheart Reina Capodici (per Bustle), and they are raising three kids outside Philadelphia, Pa. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Nick Ballard plays the role of a Dr. Pepper fan. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! [18][19], Other stage work includes lead roles in regional productions of Rent, Chicago, Company and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 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.). Taking a break from releasing music, Justin became a co-host for Idol tonight and Idol Wrap from 2007 to 2011. Stepfather Jerry Guarini is a retired Navy physicist. 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. 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. Who is the little guy in the Dr. Pepper commercial? | The Sun Shortly after being chosen for American Idol, he was offered a role in the Broadway production of The Lion King. He has also helped raise funds for Habitat For Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, the Children's World Organization, the Foundation for Global Harmony and donated items to a Little Kids Rock auction.In 2011, Justin made his Broadway debut as "Carlos" in "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" followed by "Will" in "American Idiot" on Broadway; "Roger" in "Rent" at Surflight Theatre on Jersey Shore; staged reading as "Priest" in Bill T. Jones', "Superfly the Musical" in New York; "Billy Flynn" in "Chicago" at The Media Theatre of Performing Arts in Philadelphia; "Joseph" in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at The Muny; "Drake" in Stephen King's and John Mellencamp's "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" in Atlanta; as "Jake Laurents" in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at Bucks County Playhouse; cast as "Paris" in "Romeo and Juliet" with Orlando Bloom on Broadway in 2013; and began as "Fiyero" male lead in "Wicked" on Broadway, February 2014. 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. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Justin Guarini is back on the small screen, but he looks very different from his "American Idol" days. 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. Justin joined boys choirs throughout his time in school and even became the lead vocalist in an acapella group called The Midnight Voices. See Justin Guarini and Rose Hemingway Go Country in Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical", "Justin Guarini Joins the Muny Cast of Mamma Mia! (Justin's godparents are Prince Faisal and his former wife, Princess Azia of Saudi Arabia. Guarini has released two studio albums a self-titled one in 2003, and Stranger Things Have Happened in 2005. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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'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. )Raised in central Bucks County, Pennsylvania, by mom Kathy Pepino Guarini and step dad Jerry Guarini, Justin was born in Columbus, Georgia, where his mom was an anchor for the local 'Action 9 News' on WTVM. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. 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. Justin guarini, who finished second to kelly clarkson . Well, where has that very Justin been since? 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. Justin Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad (Video) [7], Guarini co-produced his second album Stranger Things Have Happened, independently released in December 2005 through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, Ltd.. In 2004, he starred in the pre-Broadway presentation of Good Vibrations but turned down the chance to star in the Broadway production. 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. Here's Where You Know The Actors In The Dr Pepper & Cream - TheList If you ask us, he deserves more just for that falsetto! ", "Drink Up! ". You can connect with Justin Guarini on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. 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. returned in a new ad. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Seriously, if Justin Guarini had looked and sounded like this back in Season 1, I totally would have voted for him. 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. Praised by critics,[23][24] Guarini played the outcast Mexican miner. [43] He has been cast to reprise the role when the musical transfers to Broadway's Marquis Theatre in May 2023.[44]. The beloved character has appeared in commercials since 2015. He was also considering a contract offer from an independent record label, but the show's rules prohibited participants from having existing record contracts. 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." The late Nikki McKibbin, Justin, and Kelly at FOX-TVs American Idolin Los Angeles, Ca.