Post - Idol life is not Idle at all

Jo Ciavaglia
The Daily Intelligencer, March 30, 2005

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    Nearly four years after America let him get this close to reality TV stardom, everything has changed for Justin Guarini.

    His hair included.

The Bucks County native son, who gained international fame as the first-season runner-up on "American Idol," call the Hollywood Hills home, his mom, Kathy Guarini, said in a recent phone interview. Justin Guarini was unavailable for comment.

    He is finishing a CD, talking with TV producers about a possible mini series, stumping for music education in public schools, performing and making public appearances.

    What might surprise his legion of fans most, though, is his new hair.

    Gone is the signature poof of springy curls, a style that some comedians compared to the "Simpsons" character "Sideshow Bob".

    Guarini, who just turned 26, cut his hair short.

    "He is handsome," Kathy said, "The people who've seen his new photos, the public in general and friends love it."

    After "Idol", Guarini moved to California to continue performing and auditioning. "He loves the weather out there," Kathy said. "I think this has provided him a very quiet oasis."

    Post-"Idol", his career has been a series of stops and starts.

    His 2003 self-titled solo debut CD sold about 150,000 copies. He appeared with "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson in a forgettable movie. His record company dropped him. He changed management firms. Last summer, he appeared in the pre-Broadway production of the Beach Boys-themed musical "Good Vibrations."

    Guarini is finishing his second musical offering, a jazz CD, which has no release date yet, Kathy said. He is also talking with production folks in New York about a possible mini-series that might be based on his life, she said.

    Earlier this month, Guarini joined former "Idol" finalists Diana DeGarmo and John Stevens and the musical group the Commodores and Take 6 in a Washington, D.C. concert supporting music education before members of Congress and their staffs.

    His schedule is busy enough that he rarely gets a chance to return home for visits, Kathy said. His most recent trip was a few weeks ago to attend a college friend's wedding, where he sang to the newlyweds, she added.

    "He is really in a very good space," Kathy Guarini said. "He's not stressed over the schedule that he had during "Idol". I think most importantly, he felt in control of his own business."

    People still as about him, too. "We get asked every day, believe it or not, when people find out who we are," Kathy said.

    As for how the show that made her son famous has changed since that first season, Kathy hadn't a clue. "That first season, we were all so naive, so green what it was all about," she said.

    She recalled how the family, including Justin, were oblivious to his growing fame until a weekend getaway to Las Vegas after Justin entered the top 10 finalists. Walking through the airport, heads turned when Justin passed. At the hotel, he was mobbed, she said.

    "That's when it hit us.." Kathy said. "He couldn't go anywhere. That is when we realized "Oh, this is big."

    Kathy doesn't watch the show much anymore, though she is following newspaper stories about Bucks County's newest "Idol" finalist Anatoliy "Anthony" Federov of Lower Southampton. She wishes him the best.

    What most people don't know is that contestants are asked to do a lot, under a lot of pressure, Kathy said. On TV, it look like fun, but the reality is it's hard work.

    "The kids don't realize it, but they're stepping into a business. You agree to participate, so you work," she said. "The work long days. They have to do preparation for the show. Photo shoots for magazines, interviews. I'll tell you, it is very demanding, but it was a real primer for what the real business is like."