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Justin Guarini was born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia.
His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta police chief and Clayton County (Georgia) Commission Chair. Eldrin Bell is a first cousin to LaTonya, the wife of renowned actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Justin's stepfather, Jerry Guarini, is a retired Navy physicist.
His mother, Kathy, is a former TV journalist and anchor at CNN and currently works as a freelance broadcast journalist and Realtor in Doylestown. When Justin was born, then-President Jimmy Carter called Kathy from Air Force One to offer his congratulations, having known her through her work at CNN. Justin’s godparents are Prince Faisal and his former wife, Princess Azia of Saudi Arabia.
Justin was raised in central Bucks County, Pennsylvania, by his mother Kathy Pepino Guarini and stepfather Jerry Guarini. He was born in Columbus, Georgia, where his mother worked as an anchor for 'Action 9 News' on WTVM. Kathy also anchored news programs in Philadelphia and Atlanta at CNN, where she met Justin’s father, Eldrin Bell, who eventually became commissioner of the Atlanta police department.
At age four, Justin was accepted into the Atlanta Boys Choir, an unusual early admission as the choir typically accepts children six years and older.
With a mother in television and a father frequently in the public eye, Justin’s passion for entertainment developed naturally. His sister recalls him imitating Michael Jackson’s style and moonwalking around the house. His first concert experience was The Jacksons' "Victory Tour." On March 15, 2003, Justin met his idol, Stevie Wonder, at Quincy Jones’ birthday party at Spago restaurant in Los Angeles.
Justin comes from a large family, with nineteen siblings. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eldrin Bell has 13 children, nine of whom are adopted. Jerry Guarini reportedly has eight children, including Justin.
While attending Lenape Middle School, Justin impressed Donald Dumpson, Bucks County Music Festival director, Westminster Choir College professor, and composer who has worked with artists like Patti LaBelle and Boyz II Men. Dumpson was so impressed by Justin’s solo performance of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" that he canceled the remaining auditions, awarding Justin a standing ovation.
Justin studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the School for Film & Television in New York City from 1999 to 2000. One of his classmates was Scott Holroyd, known for his role as Paul Ryan on "As the World Turns." A middle school acquaintance and fellow choir member was pop singer Pink.
In 1996, Justin co-founded an a cappella group called "The Midnight Voices" with friends. Originally formed to serenade female friends before high school graduation, the group went on to record a CD and placed second in the 2000 Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival Mid-Atlantic Regional. The Midnight Voices CD is available for purchase, with proceeds supporting a music scholarship fund at Central Bucks East High School.
Justin directed amateur theater groups, including the Riverside Haunted Woods, where he began growing his signature curls, and starred in many musicals during high school and college, such as Pirates of Penzance, Phantom of the Opera, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Just before American Idol, he was offered a spot in the prestigious master class program for "The Lion King" on Broadway but chose to audition for American Idol instead. He was the nationally voted runner-up on the debut season (2002) of "American Idol - The Search for a Superstar," which had over 10,000 contestants. After the show, he was offered the role of the Emcee in "Cabaret" on Broadway but had to decline due to promotional commitments for his CD and movie projects.
Since then, Justin has appeared and performed on various TV programs, notably hosting TVGuide Network's Idol Chat and Idol Tonight for several years. He has performed at numerous live events and received extensive media coverage in entertainment news, magazines, and newspapers. He has released a jazz album and an acoustic EP.
Justin is a dedicated advocate for music education. In 2006, he received the NAMM 'Music For Life' Award for his support of music education. He has also helped raise funds for Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway’s Kitchen Sink, the Children’s World Organization, the Foundation for Global Harmony, and contributed items to a Little Kids Rock auction.
In 2011, Justin made his Broadway debut as Carlos in "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," followed by roles as Will in "American Idiot" on Broadway; Roger in "Rent" at Surflight Theatre on the Jersey Shore; Priest in a staged reading of Bill T. Jones’ "Superfly the Musical" in New York; Billy Flynn in "Chicago" at The Media Theatre of Performing Arts in Philadelphia; Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at The Muny; Drake in Stephen King and John Mellencamp’s "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" in Atlanta; and Jake Laurents in "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at Bucks County Playhouse. In 2013, he was cast as Paris in "Romeo and Juliet" on Broadway alongside Orlando Bloom. He began playing the male lead "Fiyero" in "Wicked" on Broadway in February 2014. In 2015, he appeared in "Paint Your Wagon," an Encores! presentation at New York City Center, and "Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical" at Dallas Theatre Center; he also produced "Sideshow" on Broadway in 2015. In 2016, he played Trent in Broadway’s "In Transit," and in 2023, he portrayed Prince Charming in "Once Upon a One More Time" on Broadway.
Justin is the face of "Lil Sweet," the Diet Dr. Pepper mascot.
He married his hometown sweetheart, Reina Capodici, on September 26, 2009, at a Hudson River estate in Pennsylvania. Their wedding vows included Reina’s daughter, Lola. They have two sons: William Neko Bell Guarini, born April 26, 2011, and Asher Orion Guarini, born February 25, 2013.
