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. About one year after his time on the singing show, Justin released his debut, self-titled album. Guarini told Entertainment Weekly in 2015 that his Lil Sweet persona is the kind of thing he does around the house all day every day, adding that he loves to make his wife and kids laugh. Other professional performances Guarini has starred in include: Guarini has also guest-starred on shows like Wizards of Waverly Place, a Disney original featuring Selena Gomez. The Midnight Voices CD can be purchased. He is also set to star as Bobby in the play Company at the Bucks County Playhouse from May 29 through June 21. In 2013, he wrote a blog post about the struggles of his post-"Idol" life. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, is Italian American, and was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. One of his classmates was Scott Holroyd, formerly Paul Ryan on "As the World Turns." 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. It was really a difficult decision," Guarini told TheaterMania. LIL' SWEET is a fictional miniature musician who finds his home in various Dr. Pepper advertisements. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. 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." Also, Who is Justin Guarini's wife? Who Plays the Little Guy on the Dr. Pepper Commercials. He went on to sign with 19 Management, landing a record deal with RCA. 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. Other professional performances Guarini has starred in include: Good Vibrations (2004) The Awakening of Angel DeLuna (2009) American Idiot (2011) But Guarini has flown pretty under the radar since then. Born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia, Justin was raised in the Philadelphia, PA, suburb of Doylestown. 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. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. Don't miss a beat. co-star with her in the box-office bomb "From Justin to Kelly". . Source: living.alot.com. Since 2015, the now 43-year-old has played Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials and web marketing. Sadly, the film did not receive great ratings from critics. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. Coming in second jumpstarted his singing career and made him go down in Idol history as one of the greats. Justin Guarini, who finished second to Kelly Clarkson in season one of the reality singing competition, has been playing that part since 2015. Yes, That's Justin Guarini In That Diet Dr Pepper Commercial. Brian Bosworth plays the role of a Fansville resident. Then in 2013, his wife gave birth to their second son, whom they named Asher. ", "Theater Review: At Encores!, Paint Your Wagon", "First Look! He was also considering a contract offer from an independent record label, but the show's rules prohibited participants from having existing record contracts. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. But in 2009, he married his high school sweetheart Reina Capodici (per Bustle), and they are raising three kids outside Philadelphia, Pa. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini stars in a new ad campaign for Diet Dr Pepper. 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. RememberAmerican Idol Season 1, when an unknown, Texas-born singer named Kelly Clarkson rose to superstardom and had her "Moment Like This?" [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. 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. 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. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. You can watch all Dr Pepper Lil Sweet commercials featuring Justin Guarini in one video. Chief Bell is first cousin to acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson's wife, LaTonya. After its Broadway run, the live-filmed stage play was released in movie theaters. 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. Duggar fans 'CRINGE' as Jim Bob and Michelle teach daughter Jessa and husband Ben how to KISS in 19 Kids & Counting clip, Taron Egerton splits from girlfriend of six years Emily Thomas after collapsing on stage and pulling out of theatre show, Watch Teen Mom Leah Messer RIP MTV cameras out of her car in explosive new show clip. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly. But Broadway seems like it is not a detour for Guarini, but a destination. 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. 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. Justin recently appeared on the American Idol 20th anniversary episode on May 2, 2022. Early life [ edit] Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia. Justin Guarini is an American singer and actor who is best known for his role . [15] His second child, Asher, was born on February 25, 2013. 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. In the past 30 days, commercials featuring Justin Guarini have had 72,728 airings. [20][21] In It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play Guarini voiced George Bailey in a 2015 on-stage comedic production. After graduating, he moved to New York City and enrolled in the School for Film and Television. Lil' Sweet raises a can of Diet Dr Pepper and tells the dad he deserves it for building a house with a tiny tool. KELLY CLARKSON HOSTS AMERICAN IDOL REUNION WITH JUSTIN GUARINI & ALL THREE SEASON 1 JUDGES! In the end, Justin became the runner-up on the first season of the competition show, losing to Kelly Clarkson. 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. 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. Original regional productions include Ghost Brothers of Darkland County as one of two feuding brothers in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. [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. 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! Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. In 2016, Guarini attended the Tony Awards, and co-hosted backstage coverage of the live broadcast in conjunction with BroadwayHD.com.[36][37]. SEE ALSO: KELLY CLARKSON HOSTS AMERICAN IDOL REUNION WITH JUSTIN GUARINI & ALL THREE SEASON 1 JUDGES! Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. 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. [17] Guarini joined the Broadway production of Wicked, in the role of Fiyero from February 25 to December 14, 2014. From 2007 to 2011, TV Guide Network signed Guarini as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. [10] Critics called Guarini's debut "surprisingly charming", "captivating" and "extremely likeable". Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! Michele Amabile Angermiller. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. For other inquiries, Contact Us. You can connect with Justin Guarini on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. 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. Born on October 28 . Justin Guarini is back. As you can see, it doesnt exactly take much to deserve a Dr. Pepper. The late Nikki McKibbin, Justin, and Kelly at FOX-TVs American Idolin Los Angeles, Ca. Guarini wrote, co-arranged and recorded a benefit song released with H.H. Guarini also performed in American Idiot, Romeo and Juliet, and Wicked. Real-Time Video Ad Creative Assessment. Dad Eldrin Bell is a former Atlanta police chief and Clayton County (Ga.) Commission Chair. ". The singer has been married to his wife Reina Capodici since 2009. 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. In 2002, Justin's life changed forever when he turned down a role in The Lion King to audition for American Idol. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. 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. 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. JUSTIN Guarini is best known for being the runner-up on season one of American Idol, but what has he been up to since? In 2011, he and Reina welcomed their first child together, a son named William Neko Bell Guarini. 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. 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 continues his Broadway and theater career in 2015 with "Paint Your Wagon" an Encores presentation by New York City Center and "Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical" at Dallas Theatre Center.Justin married hometown sweetheart Reina Capodici September 26, 2009 at a Hudson River estate in Pennsylvania, with vows that included step-daughter, Lola. 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. Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has returned to our television screens as a beloved character. . Praised by critics,[23][24] Guarini played the outcast Mexican miner. Since coming in second to the now talk show host, the 41-year-old has appeared in numerous Broadway musicals, as well as, ahem, starring in the not-so-well-received movie From Justin to Kelly (via IMDb).The singer has also played 'Lil Sweet in Dr Pepper commercials for . Kathy also anchored news programs in Philadelphia and Atlanta (CNN), where she met Justin's father, Eldrin Bell, who rose through the ranks of the Atlanta police department to become its commissioner.Justin was accepted into the Atlanta Boys Choir at four years old. Guarini finally made his Broadway debut in 2010, appearing in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Dr. Justin and his wife Reina met in high school but the pair only started dating in the mid-2000s. Join the Fun!! "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He appeared on other TV guide network shows, hosted movie premieres, and provided on-air coverage of award shows. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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! 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. The beloved character has appeared in commercials since 2015. Despite not winning on "Idol," Guarini scored a record deal with RCA. Lil Sweet is BACK yall! Guarini wrote on Twitter after the new commercial premiered. Guarini's musical experience started at age four when he was accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir. 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. 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. Since 2015, Guarini has been starring as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing. Published. They married a few months later in September 2009. Justin Guarini Returns as Lil' Sweet in New Dr. Pepper Ad During that time, the singer also learned to play the guitar, piano, and banjo. Reports estimate that he's getting paid about $250,000 a year to appear in the somewhat bizarre series of spots. Releasing music for Lil' Sweet inspired him to make music again. LIL' SWEET is a fictional miniature musician who finds his home in various Dr. Pepper advertisements. 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? Justin Guarini is back on television 13 years after he made his debut on 2002's . According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. Then, in 2008, the theater actor released a three-song EP titled Revolve, which was co-written by Shaun Ingram. Of course we all remember From Justin to Kelly, the 2003 movie starring Guarini and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. Justin joined boys choirs throughout his time in school and even became the lead vocalist in an acapella group called The Midnight Voices. Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. (Justin's godparents are Prince Faisal and his former wife, Princess Azia of Saudi Arabia. Pepper mascot he first appeared as in a commercial in 2015, has returned in a new ad. Who is Adriana Lima's boyfriend Andre Lemmers? Justin Guarini is married to wife Reina Capodici. He was primarily raised by his mother and his step-father, Jerry Guarini. 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. The spot premiered during Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship. 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You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. So what has Justin Guarini been up to? 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. 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. Now, 20 years after his American Idol debut, Justin has created a life for himself that he is happy about. In case you didnt know, Lil Sweet is a miniature version of Guarini who pops up to sing to people and give them a Dr. Pepper. See Justin Guarini and Rose Hemingway Go Country in Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical", "Justin Guarini Joins the Muny Cast of Mamma Mia! The first Lil Sweet ad debuted in February. Taking a break from releasing music, Justin became a co-host for Idol tonight and Idol Wrap from 2007 to 2011. Seriously, if Justin Guarini had looked and sounded like this back in Season 1, I totally would have voted for him. [35] He was an executive producer for the 2015 revival of the musical Side Show. Usually, he advertises the diet version of the drink, but the new ad is for the regular soda.