What is It about Justin that took him from door-to-door security alarm salesman to runner up in the summer's hottest TV series and heartthrob of so many women across the country? Justin has It, and he showed It whenever he walked onto the stage.
The Summer of 2002 will inevitably go down as one of the hottest on record, thanks, in part, to the Fox network debut of American Idol: Search for a Superstar. American music lovers hoping to escape the heat by settling in front of the TV in their air-conditioned living rooms soon found themselves reaching for tall glasses of iced beverages as young women in tantalizing outfits and man-boys with bedroom eyes sang, danced, and stole their way into our hearts.
For many, the brightest star to emerge from this fierce competition was Justin Guarini, a door-to door security alarm salesman from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Initial first impressions of this young man sent many scurrying to their remotes, sure that they had inadvertently tuned in to That 70's Show. Favoring retro outfits as well as his now trademark curly demi-fro, this favorite wooed a wide audience with his smooth, soulful voice, riveting stage presence, and honest, gracious demeanor. Initially drawn by the voice that crooned love ballads like a throw back from the original Rat Pack, the female audience soon fell head over heels for the finalist who owned the stage when he was on it, and he was on it often, finishing as the American Idol runner-up.
So just what is it about this lanky young man that rocketed him through the competition and is still the subject of one of the top MSN American Idol message boards? In a word, the all-elusive It factor. In today's fierce music marketplace, that means much more than just a pretty voice. Guarini proved himself able to captivate the audience with unparalleled showmanship, drawing both live and TV viewers into the world he created through song. It means ego-control, graciousness under pressure, and that uncanny ability to surpass the performance vehicle and touch the heart and soul of the listener, allowing them to believe the song is being sung directly to them. Unquestionably, Justin Guarini has achieved It status.
Especially in his ballad-type performances such as "Get Here" and "Someday We'll All Be Free," Justin delivered the songs on a silver tray, make that tongue, and wrapped them around the listener like a luxurious fabric. Listening to him is pure luxury. Guarini's delivery of "Get Here" expresses a delicate tenderness that relays longing with every fiber of his being. Performed several times throughout the competition, it is his soulful, melancholy recording on the compilation CD that prompts women to hand over $14.99 for that song alone without batting an eyelash.
Even when dealing with tired hits like "For Once in My Life" and "Sunny," Guarini rejuvenated them, breathing a fresh, new life into each one. Surrendering a jazzy, yet sensual rendition of "For Once in My Life," Guarini had women of all ages believing he wasn't just singing the words, he became the song, a song meant just for them.
By now Guarini's diverse style had the audience expecting only the unexpected, and he didn't disappoint when the Big Band Show brought him to the forefront with a Sinatra-style rendition of "Route 66." Oozing casual elegance in a tux with undone bow tie, Guarini smoothly guided the viewer from New York to L.A., even making unscheduled stops in Alabama and Savannah. Not surprisingly, no one cared, as long as Justin was at the song's wheel.
Finding success and popularity with the show's female audience, Guarini scored major points when he chose "The Look of Love" going into the final five showdown. It was with this song that Guarini proved he was the Total Package. The combination of an amazing rich voice, exuberant personality and blazing stage presence set off heat detectors at the live venue and in homes across the country. The msn message boards the morning after reflected a trend to jump ship to the House of Guarini.
Just when many now had him pegged as a crooner with an old soul, Guarini stepped it up in a rendition of Michael Jackson's "Pretty Young Thing" (affectionately know as "PYT") where he proved he could shake it, not break it. (The only thing Justin is known to have broken are the hearts of legions of women 30+ across the country who are devastated at the knowledge they are "too old" for this 23-year-young heartthrob.) His dancing proved a source of controversy between the show's judges' and fans. Fortunately, it was the fans that were voting, and Guarini continued his advance on the AI crown.
Entering the semi-final round of competition, anyone not already under his spell was soon captivated by "Let's Stay Together," as he blended his smoldering good looks and masterful relationship with the camera with a honeyed mix of vocal style and delivery. Again showing flexibility and range, he then embraced the Elton John classic, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and added his own passionate interpretation, bringing a new depth to this already powerful song.
Justin's from-the-heart performances are matched only by his exuberance. The moment he sets foot on the stage, his engine shifts into overdrive as he jumps, spins, and gyrates (in perfect rhythm) to whichever tune he's singing. These two qualities combine to earn Justin the Total Package label. Even in the face of adversity, such as Cowell's now-famous critique of him in which Justin turned to the audience and asked, "What do you guys think?" or during the final competition when he faced all three judges, arm around eventual winner Kelly Clarkson, and listened to each judge select Clarkson as their choice for the crown, Justin maintained composure beyond his young age. The Cowell incident brought not one, but two apologies, and his graceful acceptance of the Number Two position at the show's conclusion earned him the respect of fans and non-fans, alike.
So just what is it about this guy? For starters, it's the voice, a rich, smooth silky blend that sooths the ear and entices the soul. It's the personality, a fun-loving, lit-from-within exuberance that makes you yearn to be in his preferred circle. It's the stage presence, a commanding can't-take-your-eyes off sovereignty that he rules. It's the magnetism, the aura, the charisma, the you-either-have-it-or-you-don't factor. Does Justin have It? Oh, yeah, and then some.