Justin Guarini
Encyclopedia
Justin Guarini is an American
singer/songwriter
and actor
who rose to fame in 2002 as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show American Idol
.
. His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta, Georgia Chief of Police
, and current Chairperson of Clayton County Commission (Georgia). His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist
for WTVM
TV in Columbus, and later for CNN
. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather, physicist Jerry Guarini, in Philadelphia's suburb of Doylestown, Pennsylvania
.
. After moving to Pennsylvania
in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. 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 Doylestown, 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 and guitar.
After studying vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
in Pennsylvania, Guarini later moved to New York City
where he attended the School for Film and Television
. He worked in the 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 Sutu 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.
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". 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", where Oprah Winfrey
told him, "Justin, you have it". After reviews during the American Idol Tour describing Guarini as a "revelation" (Los Angeles Times
), "easily the best performer" (Boston Herald
), Guarini's career appeared ready to take off. However, unlike subsequent seasons, he was required to wait until after the release of the winner‘s album before releasing any solo projects or accepting any outside offers. According to interviews with Guarini and his parents, he received many such offers but was contractually required to refuse them.
, 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 timing further hindered Guarini while having little impact on Clarkson, whose career momentum had been established with ongoing solo projects and individual promotion during the prior months. The album sold 134,000 copies and in December 2003 Guarini was dropped from RCA Records
.
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".
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 his third solo album.
Additionally, he has completed music-related projects with other artists, including an album with David Hughes, a benefit song release with H.H. Gayuna Cealo, and a song for the documentary series Project Everlasting, launched August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened is also used in the documentary.
He continues to produce and release music through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, while also working in television for the TV Guide Network.
, Guarini's acting/entertainment-related projects include a 2004 role in the 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 of the musical Good Vibrations, which he eventually declined. He continues to act 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 Film Festival.
Some of his television appearances include a musical spoof for AMC
's FilmFakers (2004), guest role in Run of the House, guest host/co-host for shows including Regis and Kelly (2003), VH1
's Top 20 Countdown (2004), ManiaTV!
's U Pick 'Em and Too Short for Hollywood (2006), the guest host on the TV Guide Network (2006), and the CMT reality show Gone Country
, Season 3 (2009).
In 2007, the TV Guide Network signed him as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. His on-air duties with the network soon 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. He's also a recurring commentator for such shows/networks as the Today Show, MSNBC
, Fox News Channel
, Style Channel, Comcast
, and Larry King Live
.
In 2010, Guarini was cast in his Broadway debut as Carlos in the original Broadway adaptation of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
. Guarini played the part of Will in American Idiot
performing March 1, 2011 through the show's closing on April 24, 2011.
at Disney's Hollywood Studios
in February 2009, Guarini confirmed his impending marriage to his fiancee, Reina Capodici. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People
(magazine) reported that the couple were married on Sept. 26, 2009. On April 26, 2011 his first child with Capodici was born named William Neko Bell Guarini.
advocate, Guarini has been a national spokesperson for Support Music Education since 2004, speaking and performing at events such as the annual NAACP Leadership 500 Summit. In March 2005, he was part of a delegation which met with members of Congress
, and later performed/emceed at a private gala concert for Congress, their families, and staff. In 2006, he received the NAMM "Music for Life" Award for his work in support of music education. According to the American Music Conference, "the NAMM Music for Life Award, created in 1990, recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who play a significant role in promoting music education in the nation's schools and whose dedication to music and music education serves as an inspiration to others." On October 19, 2009, Guarini performed in a benefit for Education Through Music-Los Angeles
along with jazz greats Patti Austin
, Johnny Mathis
, and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
.
He has also participated in raising funds for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, Children's World Organization, Foundation for Global Harmony, and various children's hospitals across the country.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
who rose to fame in 2002 as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
.
Background
Guarini was born in Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
. His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta, Georgia Chief of Police
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
, and current Chairperson of Clayton County Commission (Georgia). His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
for WTVM
WTVM
WTVM is the ABC-affiliated television station for Columbus, Georgia. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 11 from a transmitter in Cusseta. The station can also be seen on Charter, Knology, and Mediacom channel 10...
TV in Columbus, and later for CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather, physicist Jerry Guarini, in Philadelphia's suburb of Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Doylestown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 8,380. The borough is the county seat of Bucks County.- History :...
.
Music/performance beginnings
Guarini's musical experience started at the age of four when he was accepted by the Atlanta Boy ChoirAtlanta Boy Choir
Atlanta, Georgia has been home to a performing boy choir since the Atlanta Boys Choir was founded as part of the music program in the Atlanta City School System in 1946. That early boy choir gave annual Christmas and Spring concerts at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium and was composed of boys with...
. After moving to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Throughout his school years Guarini sang in school choirs, and from 1996-2000 was the lead soloist in an award winning a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
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 Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He was a director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania in 2001.
His high school and college theater
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
credits include the lead roles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (musical)
Drood is a musical based on the unfinished Charles Dickens novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. It is written by Rupert Holmes, and was the first Broadway musical with multiple endings . Holmes received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score...
, The Little Prince
The Little Prince
The Little Prince , first published in 1943, is a novella and the most famous work of the French aristocrat writer, poet and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ....
, The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences...
, The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591.The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the Induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself...
, and Once on This Island
Once On This Island
Once on This Island is a one-act musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, set in the French Antilles in the Caribbean Sea...
. In addition to singing and stage performing, Guarini plays the piano and guitar.
After studying vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
The University of the Arts is one of the United States' oldest universities dedicated to the arts. Its campus makes up part of the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, Philadelphia...
in Pennsylvania, Guarini later moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he attended the School for Film and Television
School for Film and Television
The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts , is a professional acting training conservatory in New York City for actors focusing on acting for film and television and the stage, including television dramas, commercials, motion pictures, internet serials, and voice overs...
. He worked in the 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 Sutu 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
Idol judge Simon CowellSimon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
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". Guarini ultimately becoming the runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
in September 2002. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management
19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, United States, is a creator and producer of entertainment properties based around the areas of Music and Television / Film, including American Idol in the United States, Pop Idol in the United Kingdom as well as versions of the Idol series in more than...
and secured a record deal with RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
. Prior to the American Idol Tour, he was the only contestant asked to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show", where Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
told him, "Justin, you have it". After reviews during the American Idol Tour describing Guarini as a "revelation" (Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
), "easily the best performer" (Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
), Guarini's career appeared ready to take off. However, unlike subsequent seasons, he was required to wait until after the release of the winner‘s album before releasing any solo projects or accepting any outside offers. According to interviews with Guarini and his parents, he received many such offers but was contractually required to refuse them.
American Idol performances
| Week | Theme | Song Sung | Artist | Order | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 30 | Semifinal Group 2 | "Ribbon in the Sky Ribbon in the Sky "Ribbon in the Sky" is a hit 1982 R&B single released by Motown star, American singer Stevie Wonder. The ballad was first featured on the greatest-hits compilation, Original Musiquarium, and charted at #54 pop and #10 R&B when it was released... " |
Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... |
10 | Advanced |
| Top 10 | Motown | "For Once in My Life For Once in My Life "For Once in My Life" is a pop song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Jobete publishing company in 1967 . The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists, such as Tony Bennett and The Temptations, recorded slow ballad versions of the song... " |
Stevie Wonder | 6 | Safe |
| Top 8 | 1960s | "Sunny Sunny (song) "Sunny" is the name of a song written by Bobby Hebb. It is one of the most covered popular songs, with hundreds of versions released. BMI rates "Sunny" number 25 in its "Top 100 songs of the century."... " |
Bobby Hebb Bobby Hebb Bobby Hebb was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his writing and recording of "Sunny".-Biography:... |
7 | Safe |
| Top 7 | 1970s | "Someday We'll All Be Free Someday We'll All Be Free "Someday We'll All Be Free" is a 1973 song by Donny Hathaway from the album Extension of a Man. The song was released as the flipside to the single "Love, Love, Love"... " |
Donny Hathaway Donny Hathaway Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations... |
4 | Bottom 2 |
| Top 6 | Big Band | "Route 66 Route 66 (song) " Route 66", often rendered simply as "Route 66", is a popular song and rhythm and blues standard, composed in 1946 by American songwriter Bobby Troup. It was first recorded in the same year by Nat King Cole, and was subsequently covered by many artists including Chuck Berry in 1961, The Rolling... " |
Nat King Cole Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres... |
2 | Safe |
| Top 5 | Burt Bacharach Love Songs | "The Look of Love The Look of Love (1967 song) "The Look of Love" is a popular song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Dusty Springfield, which appeared in the 1967 spoof James Bond film Casino Royale.-Songwriters:... " |
Dusty Springfield Dusty Springfield Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s... |
4 | Safe |
| Top 4 | 1980s 1990s |
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) "P.Y.T. " is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The original demo version of the song was written by Jackson and Greg Phillinganes. It is the sixth single from Jackson's sixth solo album, Thriller . Quincy Jones passed on the song itself but liked the title and, with James Ingram,... " "Get Here Get Here "Get Here" is a pop ballad written by American singer/songwriter Brenda Russell which became an international hit via a 1990 recording by Oleta Adams, reaching #4 in the UK and #5 in the US.... " |
Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... Oleta Adams Oleta Adams Oleta Adams is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.-Biography:Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.Before gaining her opportunity to perform,... |
4 8 |
Safe |
| Top 3 | Idol's Choice Judges' Choice |
"Let's Stay Together Let's Stay Together (song) "Let's Stay Together" is a song by Al Green on his 1972 album of the same name. Released as a single in 1971, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboards R&B chart for nine weeks. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time... " "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is the first single from British musician Elton John's 1974 album Caribou; it was released that year during the latter half of May in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June in the United States.-Lyrics and music:... " |
Al Green Al Green Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"... Elton John Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor... |
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 |
Music
His self-titled album, Justin GuariniJustin Guarini (album)
Justin Guarini is the self-titled debut album from American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini. It was released by RCA Records on June 10, 2003.- Background :...
, 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
From Justin to Kelly
From Justin to Kelly is a 2003 American romantic comedy musical film starring Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the winner and runner-up, respectively, of the first season of American Idol...
, in which Guarini co-starred with Kelly Clarkson. The timing further hindered Guarini while having little impact on Clarkson, whose career momentum had been established with ongoing solo projects and individual promotion during the prior months. The album sold 134,000 copies and in December 2003 Guarini was dropped from RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
standards was described by Allmusic as "a successful reinvention... where his natural skills shine", The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
said that "Guarini displays an agile, attractive voice with good phrasing, supported by a sophisticated and funky backing ensemble".
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 his third solo album.
Additionally, he has completed music-related projects with other artists, including an album with David Hughes, a benefit song release with H.H. Gayuna Cealo, and a song for the documentary series Project Everlasting, launched August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened is also used in the documentary.
He continues to produce and release music through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, while also working in television for the TV Guide Network.
Acting/Entertainment
Aside from the film From Justin to KellyFrom Justin to Kelly
From Justin to Kelly is a 2003 American romantic comedy musical film starring Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the winner and runner-up, respectively, of the first season of American Idol...
, Guarini's acting/entertainment-related projects include a 2004 role in the pre-Broadway New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater workshop/presentation of the musical Good Vibrations
Good Vibrations
"Good Vibrations" is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys. Composed and produced by Brian Wilson, the song's lyrics were written by Wilson and Mike Love....
at Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
. His performance (which included singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar) landed Guarini an offer to continue the role in the original Broadway production of the musical Good Vibrations, which he eventually declined. He continues to act 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
Tilt-A-Whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
for the Dances With Films Film Festival.
Some of his television appearances include a musical spoof for AMC
AMC (TV network)
AMC is a cable television specialty channel that primarily airs movies, along with a limited amount of original programming. The letters originally stood for American Movie Classics; however since 2002, the full name has been deemphasized as a result of a major shift in programming...
's FilmFakers (2004), guest role in Run of the House, guest host/co-host for shows including Regis and Kelly (2003), VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Top 20 Countdown (2004), ManiaTV!
ManiaTV!
ManiaTV is a digital television network that produces, packages and distributes premium live celebrity TV shows for the 13-34 youth/young adult market. According to comScore, ManiaTV reaches over 10 million viewers each month. It was founded by Drew Massey....
's U Pick 'Em and Too Short for Hollywood (2006), the guest host on the TV Guide Network (2006), and the CMT reality show Gone Country
Gone Country (TV series)
Gone Country is an American celebrity reality television show in which contestants compete to become a country music singer. The winner gets a country single produced by John Rich. It aired on CMT, with reruns on TV Land, and VH1. On the first season finale, Julio Iglesias Jr...
, Season 3 (2009).
In 2007, the TV Guide Network signed him as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. His on-air duties with the network soon 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. He's also a recurring commentator for such shows/networks as the Today Show, MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
, Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
, Style Channel, Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
, and Larry King Live
Larry King Live
Larry King Live is an American talk show hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly....
.
In 2010, Guarini was cast in his Broadway debut as Carlos in the original Broadway adaptation of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (musical)
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a musical with a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek. The musical tells the tale of a group of women in late 20th-century Madrid whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion and passion...
. Guarini played the part of Will in American Idiot
American Idiot (musical)
American Idiot is a one-act, through-sung stage musical. The show is an adaptation of punk rock band Green Day's concept album of the same name. Additional Green Day songs were interpolated from other sources, including 21st Century Breakdown, American Idiot b-sides, and an unreleased song called...
performing March 1, 2011 through the show's closing on April 24, 2011.
Theater roles
- Good VibrationsGood Vibrations (musical)Good Vibrations is a Broadway jukebox musical featuring the music of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. It opened February 2, 2005, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and ran for 94 performances before closing on April 24, 2005. The musical follows the tale of three high school friends who want to...
(2004) as Jan - The Awakening of Angel DeLuna (2009) as Fred
- Women on the Verge of a Nervous BreakdownWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (musical)Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a musical with a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek. The musical tells the tale of a group of women in late 20th-century Madrid whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion and passion...
(2010–2011, BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
) as Carlos - American IdiotAmerican Idiot (musical)American Idiot is a one-act, through-sung stage musical. The show is an adaptation of punk rock band Green Day's concept album of the same name. Additional Green Day songs were interpolated from other sources, including 21st Century Breakdown, American Idiot b-sides, and an unreleased song called...
(2011, Broadway) as Will - RentRent (musical)Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème...
(2011, Regional) as Roger Davis - ChicagoChicago (musical)Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
(2011, Regional) as Billy Flynn
Personal life
While stepping out to support the opening of The American Idol ExperienceThe American Idol Experience
The American Idol Experience is a theme park attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. Inspired by the popular American television series American Idol, the attraction invites park guests to audition in front of live audiences who will vote for their favorite...
at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
in February 2009, Guarini confirmed his impending marriage to his fiancee, Reina Capodici. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
(magazine) reported that the couple were married on Sept. 26, 2009. On April 26, 2011 his first child with Capodici was born named William Neko Bell Guarini.
Advocacy
A music educationMusic education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
advocate, Guarini has been a national spokesperson for Support Music Education since 2004, speaking and performing at events such as the annual NAACP Leadership 500 Summit. In March 2005, he was part of a delegation which met with members of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, and later performed/emceed at a private gala concert for Congress, their families, and staff. In 2006, he received the NAMM "Music for Life" Award for his work in support of music education. According to the American Music Conference, "the NAMM Music for Life Award, created in 1990, recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who play a significant role in promoting music education in the nation's schools and whose dedication to music and music education serves as an inspiration to others." On October 19, 2009, Guarini performed in a benefit for Education Through Music-Los Angeles
Education Through Music-Los Angeles
Education Through Music- Los Angeles is an independent 501 organization founded in 2006 in Los Angeles in the United States. The group aims to provide and promote music education into the curricula of schools of low-income students in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas, in order to enhance...
along with jazz greats Patti Austin
Patti Austin
-Life and career:Austin was born in Harlem, New York. She made her debut at the Apollo Theater at age four and had a contract with RCA Records when she was only five. Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington have proclaimed themselves as her godparents....
, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
, and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, or simply The Big Phat Band, is an 18-piece jazz ensemble based in California and led by Gordon Goodwin. Goodwin composes most, and arranges all, of the group's performance pieces, as well as playing piano and occasionally tenor saxophone...
.
He has also participated in raising funds for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, Children's World Organization, Foundation for Global Harmony, and various children's hospitals across the country.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak | Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales threshold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
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| 1999 | The Midnight Voices
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| 2003 | Justin Guarini Justin Guarini (album) Justin Guarini is the self-titled debut album from American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini. It was released by RCA Records on June 10, 2003.- Background :...
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20 |
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| 2005 | Stranger Things Have Happened
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| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||
Other contributions
- Foreign Shores by David Hughes (July 2007) (featured vocalist)http://www.swedebass.com/Pages/eng/pages/listen.html
Songs
- 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)