As 'Idol' wanna-bes belt it out on stage, judges duke it out off stage
Gail Shister
Philadelphia Inquirer July 23, 2002,

PASADENA, Calif.  Whatever it is, Doylestown, Pa., native Justin Guarini's got it, says Paula Abdul.

Guarini, one of eight finalists to compete live again Tuesday night at 9 on Fox's "American Idol: Search for a Superstar," "doesn't demand attention, he commands it," Abdul, an "Idol" talent judge, said Monday in an interview.

And if she were in command, Abdul would love to mix it up with fellow judge Simon Cowell on the next edition of Fox's "Celebrity Boxing." More on that later.

Guarini "has a quiet sense of self-confidence that's very alluring, mesmerizing at times," singer-choreographer Abdul said. "He's got that cool thing. The second you see him, you're engaged. That's what we call the Factor. It's hard to articulate, but you know it when you're experiencing it."

Guarini, 23, and his 19-to-23-year-old "Idol"-chasers wowed TV critics gathered here with a group performance of "California Dreamin'." (Of course, none of them was born when the Mamas and the Papas hit broke in 1966.)

Though Guarini's considered the favorite to win the title and a major recording contract on the Sept. 4 finale, his nerves are just fine, he said in an interview. He treated himself to a full-body massage on Sunday _ only the second in his life.

Cowell, a nasty-talking Brit whose verbal food fights with Abdul have become a big draw for the surprise summer hit, made a bold prediction.

"Remember these words: Whoever wins this competition will have one of the fastest-selling records of all time." (Did we mention that the winner will be under exclusive contract for the first full-length disc to a Cowell label distributed by BMG? With options, it could extend to five albums.)

Cowell also predicted that call-in voters would winnow the current group of five gals and three guys to one of each for the final sing-off, Sept. 3. (Fox executive Mike Darnell, a Northeast Philly guy, said that for his money, the male would be Guarini: "He's got the voice. He's got the chops.")

Simple Simon defended his tactless evaluations, some of which have reduced contestants to tears.

"We're trying to show what show business is really like _ illogical. Sexist. No matter how big you are, you're going to be criticized."

Abdul doesn't buy it. As Earth Mother yin to Cowell's pit-bull yang, she is the contestants' "link to empathy and holding on to their dignity."

Despite appearances to the contrary, "I don't dislike Simon at all," she said. "I truly believe that show wouldn't work without his energy. I never know what bombs are going to come my way."

Still, Abdul doesn't feel Cowell has the right to verbally ravage performers until he's walked the walk.

"It's easy to ridicule them, but it takes a lot of courage to go out there and be vulnerable and put your butt on the line. That's something he'll never know about."

Fox has ordered a second edition of "Idol," to debut in early 2003. Abdul and record-company exec Randy Jackson, the third of the three judges, said they'd re-up. Cowell didn't commit.

Back to the boxing ring. Abdul said it'd be no contest with Cowell. "There's no question I'd win. I've been a dancer my whole life. Dancers are tough, tough, tough people. Pain is our friend."

Cowell, who said he'd boxed in high school, responded: "I won't be sleeping tonight. But I've never hit a woman. If she was a man, I'd knock her face in."