Kelly locks out Justin as first "American
Idol';
Texas singer asked to perform Sept. 11at Lincoln Memorial.
Naomi Kim
Morning Call (Allentown, PA) September 5, 2002
Television viewers turned thumbs down on Doylestown Township's Justin
Guarini's bid to be the first "American Idol," choosing his rival
Kelly Clarkson as the country's next singing superstar.
Clarkson, of Burleson, Texas, defeated Guarini after the two pulled out all the
stops on Tuesday night's show, singing three songs apiece.
While Guarini delivered "A Moment Like This," "Before Your
Love" and "Get Here" with finesse, it was not enough to overcome
Clarkson's intense vocal abilities, which in recent weeks have won the favor of
the show's three judges.
Hosts Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman said more than 100 million votes were
cast Tuesday night, with a 52-48 split.
The judges unanimously threw their support to Clarkson Wednesday night, saying
that she would win if "America got it right."
Now that Clarkson has won the grand prize of a recording contract, her first
single will be "A Moment Like This," which both she and Guarini
performed on Tuesday's episode.
Guarini may have lost, but his chances for musical stardom are far from over.
When finalist Tamyra Gray -- whom judges clearly thought would emerge as the
winner -- was booted off, she was offered a recording contract the next week.
Guarini's family members have said they believe the show has launched his
musical career.
"I'm so blessed to be up here because of you people [audience ]. I would
like to thank my family, who has been the backbone of my support," Guarini
said after the winner was announced. "No one deserves it more than this
woman right here, Kelly Clarkson."
Clarkson in return called Guarini a "sexy man."
The two also did a duet of "It Takes Two" -- perhaps a reminder of how
far they've come since the summer's start.
Fox also arranged for both finalists to say hello to friends at their high
schools via television broadcast. Guarini, who graduated from Central Bucks High
School East in 1997, got to speak to his choral director, Scott Teschner.
"We're really proud of Justin," Teschner said. "He's electrified
this school and this community Justin, you've been a class act this entire
summer."
"Thanks so much. I love you guys," Guarini responded.
About 56 of Guarini's relatives flew to L.A. last weekend to cheer him on in
person.
The two-hour season finale kicked off its second half with the show's 10
finalists performing a medley of songs that they've sung throughout the summer,
including "Under the Boardwalk," "Natural Woman" and
"California Girls."
The episode also featured highlights over the past three months, including the
thousands of auditions that judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell
sat through to reduce the pool of contestants to 120, 30 and finally 10.
Fans who are happy to have their new "American Idol" but sad to see
the show end can rest assured; a second installment is under way. According to
E! Online, Fox has agreed to a second season, which will most likely premiere
early next year.
And for those who simply can't get enough of Guarini, Clarkson and their cast
mates, an encore performance will air Sept. 23 from Las Vegas. A group of
finalists also will be hitting the road on Oct. 8 for a six-week national tour,
Billboard magazine reported on its Web site. The finalists will visit cities
like San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Clarkson also has been tapped to sing the national anthem at the Lincoln
Memorial on Sept. 11, The Washington Post reported.
As for Guarini, he's said from the beginning that his goal had been to make it
to the top 10. Now that the show is over, he can finally get some rest and spend
time with family, two things family members have said he's missed the most.
"We just want him to know how much we love him and how so very proud we are
of him," Guarini's stepsister Dianna Beach of Jamison, Bucks County, said
last week.