Justin Eldrin Bell, better known as Justin Guarini (born October 28th, 1978) was a contestant on Season 1 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Justin auditioned in New York. He sang "Who's Lovin' You" by The Miracles. Paula and Simon voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Justin was shown during the final part of Hollywood Round singing "Get Here" by Brenda Russell. He managed to make the Top 30.
Top 30[]
Justin sang "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder. He received enough votes that week to make the Top 10.
Top 10[]
Justin sang "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 8[]
Justin sang "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb. He receive enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 7[]
Justin sang "Someday We'll All Be Free" by Donny Hathaway. He was placed in the Bottom 2 for that week.
Top 6[]
Justin sang "Route 66" by Nat King Cole. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 5[]
Justin sang "The Look of Love" by Dusty Springfield. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 4[]
Justin sang "Get Here" by Brenda Russell and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" by Michael Jackson. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 3[]
Justin sang "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John. He received enough votes to advance to the finale.
Season 1 Finale[]
Justin sang "Before Your Love", "Get Here" by Brenda Russell and "A Moment Like This". During the Finale, it was revealed that he was the runner-up and that Kelly Clarkson beat him out in voting.
After the Show[]
Justin achieved some success after Idol. His debut album released on June 2003, to coincide with the film From Justin to Kelly. While the film was critically panned, the album sold over 140,000 copies.
Since 2015, Guarini has appeared in Dr. Pepper commercials as "Lil' Sweet".
Justin served as a mentor for Season 21's Hollywood Round, mentoring in the "Stage Presence" category" alongside Jordin Sparks.
Trivia[]
- Justin sang the same song in the semifinals as Gil Sinuet—in addition, within the same show, for Group 2. Judge Simon Cowell notably commented that Gil "sang the song much better", but Justin had the "star quality factor". (They were also, by default, the first pair to achieve this feat.)
- They were one of three pairs of contestants to select the same song during the Season 1 semifinals; the other two pairs–one each from Groups 1 + 3, respectively–were: Adriel Herrera & EJay Day and Tamyra Gray & Melanie Sanders.
| Season 1 |
| Finalists |
| ·Kelly Clarkson ·Justin Guarini ·Nikki McKibbin ·Tamyra Gray ·R.J. Helton ·Christina Christian ·Ryan Starr ·A.J. Gil ·Jim Verraros ·EJay Day |
| Semifinalists |
| ·Christopher Aaron ·Kelli Glover ·Alexis Lopez ·Angela Peel — ·Alexandra Bachelier ·Chris Badano ·Natalie Burge ·Khaleef Chiles ·Rodesia Eaves ·Brad Estrin ·Adriel Herrera ·Kristin Holt ·Jamar ·Jazmin Lowery ·Tanesha Ross ·Melanie Sanders ·Mark Scott ·Gil Sinuet ·Tenia Taylor ·Justinn Waddell – ·Delano Cagnolatti |