The 'Idol' Life: Clarkson, Guarini, and Other Show Contestants Hit Valley
Kathy Cano-Murillo
The Arizona Republic, October 6, 2002

A year ago this week, Justin Guarini was living a peaceful life in the Pennsylvania woods.

Today, he's a budding pop star.

"At that time, I was the director for a haunted-woods show way out in the boonies," the 23-year-old American Idol runner-up says. "It was a Waiting for Guffman sort of ordeal. It was a neat experience, but nothing compared to what I'm doing right now."

"Right now" Guarini is coming off the heels of one of the summer's most popular television shows and beginning a two-month concert tour, accompanied by nine finalists from the national singing competition. The tour hits America West Arena on Wednesday.

American Idol, a bona fide guilty pleasure, is a hybrid of Star Search and The Gong Show, with a recording contract as the top prize. The tour celebrates that concept in all its retro-medley glory.

Those attending Wednesday's show can expect an agenda similar to last month's televised Las Vegas special, including winner Kelly Clarkson belting out her No. 1 ballad, "A Moment Like This".

What you won't see are the snooty Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson offering opinions -- they're leaving the critiques up to the fans.

Once the tour closes, Guarini will launch his first single, followed by an album and possibly a movie.

Calling on his cellphone from San Diego International Airport, it's only a few seconds into the conversation before passers-by recognize his frosted mop top. Girlish screams and whistles can be heard in the background while Guarini is gracious and apologetic.

Things aren't much different for Tamyra Gray. Just because she was the third runner-up doesn't mean her life is any less hectic or exciting.

Phoning from Manhattan, Gray, 23, excitedly chats about her adventures, which include singing with Elvis' old band and rubbing elbows with one of her own American idols, Prince.

The encounter must have induced a twinge of pain. Prince's Purple Rain was Gray's original choice instead of the Patti LaBelle tune that ultimately became her Idol swan song.

"Choosing something for that week that I got eliminated was the hardest," Gray says. "I picked other songs that I really wanted, but none of them was approved in time. It was so much pressure.

"As far as the selections for the tour, we could seriously get rid of the '60s and Motown (songs). Our audience has had enough of those. But I do think this experience is preparing us for when we do our own albums and have to sing our singles over and over."

Guarini also has had his fill of cover songs. He's thinking about his new record contract with RCA and the career longevity he hopes will ensue.

"I never want to alienate American Idol, because it is what got me here and it will always be a part of all of our careers," he says. "But I do have the desire to put out something that is mine. I want to show more of who I am.

"With the shows of this nature, you've heard stories of how they tell you what to sing, when to sing it and how to sing it.

"I was a little worried in the beginning of it all, thinking, 'Jeez, what kind of music am I going to be singing, am I going to have any control at all?' What is so wonderful now is I do have more control."

His single is set for release in November and his album in the spring.

Gray, in addition to recording her debut disc (also with RCA), is negotiating a role on Fox TV's Boston Public.

However, just as the tour unfolds, an American Idol backlash is brewing. Early reviews of the upcoming disc "American Idol: Greatest Moments" are anything but sparkling.

But even those critical pinpricks can't burst these balloons of ambition.

"No matter what happens," Gray says, "I'm so appreciative of the show and everything that comes with it. It was the steppingstone I needed to get my career started. I can think of the many times that people said 'No' and doors were shut in my face. Now here I am doing what I set out to."

Guarini also is ready to take harsh opinions and process them through his own optimistic perspective.

"I expect people to be critical," he says. "But I have so much positive support.

"Everything in life is a lesson. I look at how I can learn from things no matter how good or bad they seem at the time. I never get bogged down in the little things, I like to look at the big picture."

Cover songs or not, it sure beats living in the woods.