'''Justin Guarini''' (born '''Justin Eldrin Bell''' on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia) is a singer/songwriter, actor who rose to fame on the television show ''
American Idol''.
His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta Chief of Police. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist for WTVN TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather Jerry Guarini in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Music/Performance beginnings
Guarini's music career started at the age of four when accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir acclaimed for its established reputation as one of the world’s finest boy choirs. After moving to Pennsylvania, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Throughout his school years, Guarini sang in school choirs, and in 1996-2000 was the lead soloist in an award winning a capella group named 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. As director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania in 2001, he directed over 50 actors in productions, wrote musical scores, performed, and helped build the 25 sets used.
His high school and college theatre credits include the lead roles in ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'', ''The Little Prince'', ''Pirates of Penzance'', ''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 briefly on Broadway and was recruited by Broadway scouts to join the cast of The Lion King (musical) in their master classes before auditioning for ''
American Idol'' in April of 2002. He was also considering an offer to sign with an independent record label at the time.
Public life
Guarini emerged as a standout during the early round of auditions for ''American Idol's'' debut season, 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. After displaying a broad range of natural showmanship during the American Idol Tour, the multi-talented newcomer's career appeared ready to take off. However, unlike subsequent seasons, Guarini was required to wait until after the release of the winner‘s album before releasing any solo projects or accepting any outside offers. Some known offers he was forced to refuse were a guest role on Friends, the emcee role in Broadway's Cabaret
