Idol Worship
Ali Gazan
YM Magazine

American Idol finalist Justin Guarini tells about his new life as a celebrity.

How is the album going?
Really well. We're trying to find out the direction it's going to go — what works and what doesn't. The sound is eclectic at this point. It's got some soul, some funk, some R&B. That's what we're doing right now. We're sort of focusing that sound.

Do you have a single chosen yet?
We're still working on that, too. RCA and 19 Records have been really cool, just giving me a lot of choices. It's something that a lot of artists in my position don't get. I'm actually going to cowrite a majority of this album.

What's been the most surprising thing about your career so far?
What's surprised me the most is the fan reaction to everything. It's so nice to see them embracing us.

So you have an album and a movie coming out?
Yes, I couldn't ask for more. The movie's going to be really cool. It's a romantic comedy musical [called From Justin to Kelly] and it stars Kelly [Clarkson] and I in the leads. I've always wanted to do a musical so this is my opportunity.

Are you a Grease fan?
Yeah, totally. Who isn't? But I wouldn't want to reproduce Grease. I just hope it can be something of that caliber.

Do you have any input into what songs are going to be used in the movie?
Sure. There are songs that have been written for it that they present for us and then we put our own flavor into them.

What is your character is going to be like?
It's not going to be too much of a departure from me. He's a really fun, easygoing guy and there's going to be a few surprises along the way.

How has American Idol changed your life?
How hasn't it is the answer to that question. It's just been an absolute whirlwind. It's given me a new perspective on life itself. It's pretty interesting to see, you know coming from virtual obscurity to being in the national eye is really interesting and it's been a real learning experience. I'm just real glad that I still have that small town kid mentality.

What has been your favorite experience since the show ended?
Man. There's been so much cool stuff. I think definitely one of the cooler things was doing the Oprah show. My mom watches it all the time and it was on all the time [at home]. I'm an Oprah supporter.

Have you met anyone and been totally starstruck by them?
No because I pretty much grew up around the industry so I don't get easily starstruck. The person I've been most excited to meet was Quincy Jones. I sat down and talked with him. He's music royalty. I've been in the most awe over him. He's just so down to earth and so normal and just a fountain of knowledge.

Have you met celebrities who tell you they're a huge fan of the show?
I've had people do that. The people I've talked to have been really cool and really supportive. Jennifer Love Hewitt was such a sweetheart.

What's the nicest thing a friend has done for you while you've been on the road?
The best thing my friends have done is just be cool with me, just like before I left. I've only been home in Doylestown, PA for two days but people are cool. Some of them don't even bother me; they totally recognize me but they're very cool about it. They feel like they're bothering me when they ask me for my autograph. It's like the least I can do.

Have you had anyone come out of the woodwork and tell you they're long lost friends?
My parents have gotten some calls here and there. But most of the people who have come out of the woodwork are people that I know and are friendly with. They haven't been like "Hey let's be best friends," but they have wanted to say congratulations. If they're coming out of the woodwork to support me, then that's cool. As long as they're not trying to get something from me.

So we have to ask you about the rumor that you and Kelly together...
They had us dating from the beginning of the show and it's just funny. I mean you can see how they could put us together. We are very close but we're just friends. She's got so much stuff to worry about and I've got so much stuff to worry about. It's just nice to be able to have a good friend. I'm single and living my life like my girlfriend is my career.

What was the American Idol tour like?
It was really cool. Performing in front of 19,000 people like we did in Atlanta — which is another one of my hometowns — was amazing.

Did anything funny happen?
On my birthday they put these two plates of half melted ice cream in my hair. So much so that the plates actually stuck to my hair. Literally I had to stick a bar of soap in my hair before the stench would get out.

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