Bucks man odds-on favorite to be "Idol'ized ;
As a finalist in TV contest, Justin Guarini attracts legions of fans and is hoping for recording contract.
Naomi Kim
Morning Call (Allentown, PA) July 22, 2002

When Justin Guarini was named a finalist on the Fox television show "American Idol" last month, his parents took him to Las Vegas to get away for a few days.

"We even bought bandannas to cover his 'fro [so Justin wouldn't be recognized]," said his stepfather, Jerry Guarini Sr., referring to his trademark brown and golden curls.

But fans still asked for autographs, pictures and hugs everywhere they went. At one point, as the family left a casino, they discovered hundreds of people lined up on the sidewalks, chanting the same thing.

"American Idol! American Idol!"

Jerry Guarini Sr. didn't know what to think. "Mostly young kids, teeny boppers, would be standing there and follow him with their gaze and start to squeal. We couldn't eat anywhere It was surreal. I didn't know if I was supposed to cry or be scared or what."

Justin, 23, of Doylestown Township, has outsung thousands of contestants since the hugely popular show premiered on June 11, and some critics say he is indeed the next American idol.

At 3-2 odds, Entertainment Weekly has christened Justin the favorite to win, saying, "If you want to know why Justin Guarini is destined to be the American Idol, just watch what he does to [judge ] Paula Abdul Ms. Abdul was reduced from sophisticated pop diva to human puddle."

"American Idol" airs twice a week, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Viewers are asked to call in and vote for their favorite singers between episodes.

The show, based on a popular British series, "Pop Idol," hopes to create the next American superstar. Judges narrowed the pool from about 10,000 to a select 30 at the start of the season. Viewers will pick the winner between two performers during the season finale. The winner receives a major recording contract.

Justin's renditions on the show include "For Once in My Life" and "Ribbon in the Sky."

Even the show's harshest judge, Simon Cowell, praised Justin's performance, telling boy band 'NSync member Justin Timberlake to watch out.

Justin Guarini's name drew the loudest cheers from the audience during last Wednesday's episode, during which two finalists were eliminated. More than 8 million people cast their votes last week.

But Justin is used to competing against high-caliber performers. His stepfather said Justin auditioned 11 times for the lead role of Simba in the Broadway musical, "The Lion King."

He didn't get it, but two hours after confirming a flight to Los Angeles for the final "American Idol" auditions, Disney offered Justin a chorus role. He opted to try his luck with "American Idol" instead, Jerry Guarini Sr. said.

Justin found out about the show from his mother, Kathy, who had seen a commercial about show auditions in New York while ironing one night. He was the 137th person in line at 5:30 a.m. that day, Kathy Guarini said. He had to wait about eight hours before the judges heard him sing.

"It was cold and damp and after a while he said, "Man, do I really want to stay out here and do this?' But he said he had fun just talking to the other people waiting," she said.

Kathy Guarini and her husband have been there to help Justin navigate his newfound fame. They had dinner with the finalists after last week's show. Kathy Guarini, who is staying in Los Angeles this week, said all of the finalists get along.

"We were amazed by the fact that they were all thrown together and they all have this musical aspiration, but they all get along beautifully. The amazing thing is they all cheer for each other," she said.

During a commercial break on Wednesday, Kathy Guarini said, the finalists held hands together and prayed before the hosts announced which two contestants had been eliminated.

She said show producers are keeping a close watch on the finalists. When in public, they must travel together at all times. "Security people go with them because the kids are recognized," she said.

Justin, the youngest of eight children, joined the Atlanta Boys Choir when he was 4. Later, at age 7, he became a member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir.

He graduated in 1997 from Central Bucks High School East, where his stepfather said he had the lead role in almost every school play his junior and senior year. He took his stepfather's last name when his mother and Jerry Guarini Sr. married.

Justin attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for two years, then transferred to the School for Film & Television in New York. He spent a year there before returning home.

Back in Central Bucks, Justin sold alarm systems for ADT and worked as a "party promoter" for Cutting Edge Entertainment in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County.

But his stepbrother said performing is Justin's true passion. "He's always chased the singing thing," said Jerry Guarini Jr.

Justin's stepbrother said neighbors have been placing congratulations signs on the lawn of his Upper Moreland Township home since the show began. People make comments to him at work or while he's running errands.

"They're just total, total, total supporters. The network of support is staggering," said Guarini Jr. "Anyone who knows my last name will usually say something."

He added that his siblings also have received the same attention. Guarini Jr. said Justin is not focused on winning. "He's only interested in performing and having people like what he does," he said.

Kathy Guarini said Justin has already reached his goal of making it to the final 10 contestants.

Regardless of the outcome, his stepbrother said the family does have one concern: "We're wondering if he's ever coming back to Doylestown."