His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Georgia Chief of Police and is African American. Guarini takes on an alter ego named Lil Sweet in the commercial. The latest diet Dr. Pepper commercial featuring Lil' Sweet (played by American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini) is causing an uproar on social media this weekend. 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. [citation needed], In 2021, Guarini starred as Prince Charming in the world premiere of the jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Aside from Lil' Sweet, Justin has continued to act, with his last two roles in 2018 and 2019. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit, Let us know what you feel about this article. Lil' Sweet & The Doctor of Dr Pepper Records play the "Dr Pepper & Cream Soda Theme" as they promote Dr Pepper & Cream Soda and Diet Dr Pepper & Cream Soda -- two new drinks said to constitute a delicious duet. 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. that at one point he and Kelly Clarkson's relationship did get romantic. The first runner-up on the debut season of 'American Idol' plays undersized singer Lil' Sweet. Hes also appeared on Broadway, making his debut in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in 2010. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened was also used in the documentary. Wanting to continue his singing career, Justin independently released his second album, Stranger Things Have Happened Here. 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. ", "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? 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. 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. His first concert was The Jacksons' "Victory Tour." Since then, she has, of course, become a massive star, proving all it took at least back then was a killer voice, a dream, and an audition number. [15] His second child, Asher, was born on February 25, 2013. Don't miss a beat. Subscribe for Latest Update! Just found out the dr. 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. ", "Drink Up! Brian Bosworth plays the role of a Fansville resident. All rights reserved. Justin's mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. "I'm so happy and proud, and just over the moon about how well she has done." in 2016. Justin Guarini is back. Pepper mascot he first appeared as in a commercial in 2015, has returned in a new ad. 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. [20][21] In It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play Guarini voiced George Bailey in a 2015 on-stage comedic production. His Idol cohort Kelly Clarkson is slated to appear on the Fox show as a mentor on April 1. 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. 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, Dr. Pepper commercials often feature miniature musician Lil' Sweet, Justin Guarini almost won the first season of American Idol, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2012), It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (2012). From 2007 to 2011, TV Guide Network signed Guarini as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. [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. film did not receive great ratings from critics. He was primarily raised by his mother and his step-father, Jerry Guarini. Gayuna Cealo, and a song for the documentary series Project Everlasting, in August 2006 and featured on the Today Show. Now, what about the singer who had his "moment" as runner-up, Justin Guarini? The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). Oh, not to mention his role as that groovy Prince-esque "Lil Sweet" guy in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). [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]. Of course we all remember From Justin to Kelly, the 2003 movie starring Guarini and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. September 09, 2020. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. Your email address will not be published. Beck Bennett (AT&T) - $250,000 (Justin's godparents are Prince Faisal and his former wife, Princess Azia of Saudi Arabia. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. View our online Press Pack. 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. This time, he shows up to give a can to people who deserve it. He did reveal to E! To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Justin Guarini became the first runner-up on American Idol, ultimately losing to Kelly Clarkson during season one of the singing competition. Lil Sweet, the Dr. Pepper mascot he started playing in 2015, is back in a new commercial. [43] He has been cast to reprise the role when the musical transfers to Broadway's Marquis Theatre in May 2023.[44]. Guarini also performed in American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, and Wicked. 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. 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. Justin attended the University of the Arts, where he took up vocal performance and theater studies. In 2011, he and Reina welcomed their first child together, a son named William Neko Bell Guarini. Natasha Marc plays the role of a Fansville resident. . "Lil' Sweet is BACK, y'all!" says the rapper. 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. Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost. Justin Guarini is in a new Diet Dr. Pepper commercial. In other news, Guarini recently appeared as Julio in a revival of Paint Your Wagon at New York City Center. In 2013, he wrote a blog post about the struggles of his post-"Idol" life. Justin joined boys choirs throughout his time in school and even became the lead vocalist in an acapella group called The Midnight Voices. 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. 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.". Since 2015, Guarini has been starring as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing. American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini stars in a new ad campaign for Diet Dr Pepper. Guarini made a name for himself in Season 1 of "American Idol." Stepfather Jerry Guarini is a retired Navy physicist. Marketing Stack Integrations and Multi-Touch Attribution. Who Plays the Little Guy on the Dr. Pepper Commercials. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! There he worked in nightclubs and auditioned for theater roles. 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. Of course, we all remember Guarini for competing against Kelly Clarkson on the first season of American Idol back in 2002. But while Justin was at the American Idol Experience, he confirmed his impending marriage to his fiance, Reina Capodici at that time. He worked in New York nightclubs, and auditioned for New York Theatre before successfully auditioning for American Idol in April 2002. Multitalented entertainer Justin Guarini portrays him. Usually, he advertises the diet version of the drink, but the new ad is for the regular soda. . As you can see, it doesnt exactly take much to deserve a Dr. Pepper. Guarini finally made his Broadway debut in 2010, appearing in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Then in 2013, his wife gave birth to their second son, whom they named Asher. WATCH: Kelly Clarkson admits she once dated Justin Guarini. Though perhaps not every moment post-Idol has been easy, Guarini is extremely proud of his former competitor Kelly Clarkson. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. The beloved character has appeared in commercials since 2015. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "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. Its not even American Idols Constantine Maroulis in full-on Rock of Ages mode. Would love your thoughts, please comment. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. While stepping out to support the opening of The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios[8] in February 2009, Guarini confirmed his impending marriage to his fiance, Reina Capodici. Guarini was primarily raised by his mother and stepfather, physicist Jerry Guarini, in the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Shortly after he was accepted on the show, Guarini was offered a role on Broadway - he chose to stick with Idol. )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. After graduating, he moved to New York City and enrolled in the School for Film and Television. 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. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. He attended Central Bucks High School East. 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 as Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper Commercials, Justin with American Idol season two runner-up Clay Aiken, Justin performs onstage at the Winter Gala at Lincoln Center at Alice Tully Hall on February 13, 2018, in New York City. 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 Guarini Stars in Bizarre New Dr. Pepper Ad THR Staff March 27, 2015, 4:24 PM Justin Guarini is back. While he may be no pop leading man, he has still become impressively successful. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. ", 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. 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 first ever runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol -- he lost to Kelly. The film was critically panned,[5] while the album sold 146,000 copies. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. 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. Post AI, he was given a standing offer to play the Emcee in "Cabaret" on Broadway (instead, he was required by management to do CD/movie promotion).Justin has since appeared and/or performed on numerous TV programs (most notably host of TVGuide Network's Idol Chat and Idol Tonight for several years),other live venues and events and has had extensive media coverage on entertainment news programs, news segments, and in magazine and newspaper articles; he has also completed a jazz album and an acoustic EP.Justin is a strong believer in helping others and is a spokesperson of Support Music Education. You can watch funny Diet Dr Pepper commercial featuring Justin Guarini for Lil' Sweet. [4] Throughout his school years Guarini sang in school choirs, and from 1996 to 2000 was the lead soloist in an award-winning a cappella group named The Midnight Voices. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. 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. 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. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. 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. Born on October 28 . 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 . 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. Then, in 2008, the theater actor released a three-song EP titled Revolve, which was co-written by Shaun Ingram.
