Its actually another American Idol alum (and another Justin), Justin Guarini and clearly self-employed rocker Lil Sweet is the role he was born to play. Subscribe for Latest Update! Real-Time Video Ad Creative Assessment. returned in a new ad. Pepper mascot he first appeared as in a commercial in 2015, has returned in a new ad. Lil Sweet comes to the rescue in the latest 30-second ad spot by bringing the zero-calorie beverage to a cupcake-filled birthday party. The pint-sized heavy metal-soul man shows up at a suburban home unexpectedly where a childs birthday party is in progress to deliver zero calorie sweet treats., Kelly Clarkson Dishes on Justin Guarini, Miley Cyrus on Watch What Happens Live, He sings in the key of sweet and always carries a spare sixpackof Diet Dr Pepper with him, reads a description on the soft drinks YouTube channel. You can watch funny Diet Dr Pepper commercial featuring Justin Guarini for Lil' Sweet. [9], Guarini became a part of the Broadway community with his 2010 Broadway debut as Carlos in a musical adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Multitalented entertainer Justin Guarini portrays him. You can connect with Justin Guarini on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. The group released an independent album in 1999 with proceeds benefiting a music scholarship fund at Guarini's alma mater, Central Bucks High School East in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. Kendrick Lamar album 2022: When is Mr Morale & The Big Steppers release date? Justin Guarini is in a new Diet Dr. Pepper commercial. JUSTIN Guarini is best known for being the runner-up on season one of American Idol, but what has he been up to since? Justin Guarini is best known for his time on season one of American Idol Credit: Getty 9 He is now known as Little Sweet in the Dr. Pepper commercials Credit: Dr Pepper Born on October 28, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia, Justin was raised in the Philadelphia, PA, suburb of Doylestown. The season one runner-up "sings in the key of sweet. Post AI, he was given a standing offer to play the Emcee in "Cabaret" on Broadway (instead, he was required by management to do CD/movie promotion).Justin has since appeared and/or performed on numerous TV programs (most notably host of TVGuide Network's Idol Chat and Idol Tonight for several years),other live venues and events and has had extensive media coverage on entertainment news programs, news segments, and in magazine and newspaper articles; he has also completed a jazz album and an acoustic EP.Justin is a strong believer in helping others and is a spokesperson of Support Music Education. After taking a sip, the father invites Lil' Sweet into the house to . Idol judge Simon Cowell praised Guarini's performance in the show's first season, at one early audition telling him "Justin, you know, occasionally you're very privileged when you do a competition like this to hear somebody undiscovered who has a voice like yours", with Guarini ultimately becoming the runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in September 2002. Born on October 28, 1978, Guarini is a native of Georgia. . He was also considering a contract offer from an independent record label, but the show's rules prohibited participants from having existing record contracts. Fans of American Idol may recognize Lil' Sweet, the zazzy littlevery littlestar of Diet Dr. Pepper's new . Teen Mom Cheyenne Floyd STUNS in tight white dress for over-the-top engagement photoshoot with fianc Zach Davis. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. From acting on stage to raising a family to starring in a television ad, Justin has done it all. Top 5 Most Exciting Diet Dr Pepper Lil Sweet Feat Justin Guarini Commercials 2017 [Mr Elzone] Mr Elzone 356 subscribers Subscribe 2.3K views 5 years ago Top 5 Most Exciting Diet Dr. Idol judge Simon Cowell praised Guarini's performance in the show's first season, at one early audition telling him "Justin, you know, occasionally you're very privileged when you do a competition like this to hear somebody undiscovered who has a voice like yours", with Guarini ultimately becoming the runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in September 2002. Lil Sweet, the Dr. Pepper mascot he started playing in 2015, is back in a new commercial. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Guarini was primarily raised by his mother and stepfather, physicist Jerry Guarini, in the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Published. The Midnight Voices CD can be purchased. Guarini wrote about his decision between the two offers in his exclusive 2008 blog for the television site, Fancast, stating, "I had attended master classes I learned Zulu and Sotho phrases, as well as the music from the show. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Jill ORourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like AGT, The Voice, and American Idol. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Guarini wrote, co-arranged and recorded a benefit song released with H.H. Justin recently appeared on the American Idol 20th anniversary episode on May 2, 2022. Although he did live in Los Angeles for many years, Justin confirmed to Visit Bucks County that he moved back home to raise his family. Original regional productions include Ghost Brothers of Darkland County as one of two feuding brothers in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Taking a break from releasing music, Justin became a co-host for Idol tonight and Idol Wrap from 2007 to 2011. In the ad, Lil Sweet defies gravity by sliding down the banister as he rescues two dads craving a cupcake, but fearful of the calories. Beck Bennett (AT&T) - $250,000 "I can say without a doubt that she will always be a friend and that I will always be, and have always been, one of her biggest fans," he told HuffPostin 2018. His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Georgia Chief of Police and is African American. He's also acted in independent film projects such as the drama and action film Fast Girl, The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, Mafioso II: The Son and short film Tilt-a-Whirl for the Dances With Films festival. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The door flings open and a spotlight shines on Lil' Sweet, played by American Idol alumnus Justin Guarini, who sings his arrival as the daughter runs off scared. No one knows where he keeps it though.. After studying vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Guarini later moved to New York City, where he attended the School for Film and Television. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. [38][39][40] In 2016, Dr Pepper "promoted" tunes for a Lil' Sweet "album" with video clips, promotional pictures of the character, and the character's own Twitter page. By Madeline Boardman. Chief Bell is first cousin to acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson's wife, LaTonya.Stepfather Jerry Guarini is a retired Navy physicist.Mom Kathy is a former TV journalist and anchor at CNN and is now a freelance broadcast journalist and Realtor in Doylestown. Justin Guarini was born in Columbus, Georgia, on October 28, 1978.Dad Eldrin Bell is a former Atlanta police chief and Clayton County (Ga.) Commission Chair. Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. Justin joined boys choirs throughout his time in school and even became the lead vocalist in an acapella group called The Midnight Voices. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Justin's solo at the festival, "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," won him a standing ovation.Justin attended University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and School for Film & Television, New York City (1999-2000). "The Midnight Voices" was founded "to serenade their 'female friends' the night before high school graduation," but the group went on to burn a CD and take second at the 2000 Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival Mid-Atlantic Regional. After its Broadway run, the live-filmed stage play was released in movie theaters. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Justin Guarini has an estimated net worth of around $700,000. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. The latest diet Dr. Pepper commercial featuring Lil' Sweet (played by American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini) is causing an uproar on social media this weekend. He also took on lead roles in numerous high school and college plays. Season 1 American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has returned to our television screens as a beloved character. [2][3] After moving to Pennsylvania in 1985, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Dr. Pepper commercials often feature miniature musician Lil' Sweet Who is the little guy in the Dr. Pepper commercial? Usually, he advertises the diet version of the drink, but the new ad is for the regular soda. She went from just another face in the crowd to a true pop star in another words, anAmerican Idol! He also played Prince Charming in the 2021 regional show, Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears Jukebox Musical. Guarini starred in the 2015 original musical "Moonshine: The Hee Haw Musical" premiering at the Dallas Theater Center on September 2 through October 11,[25][26][27] and Mamma Mia! On-air duties with the network expanded to include guest hosting/appearances on other TV Guide Network shows, hosting movie premiere specials, and serving as a member of TV Guide Network's awards show team with on-air coverage of awards shows such as the Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards. co-star with her in the box-office bomb "From Justin to Kelly". In the new ad, Guarini, nearly unrecognizable in his long purple wig, plays an undersized singer named Lil Sweet, who can defy gravity and hear when you cry on the inside. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. He recently appeared in the Britney Spears jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time as Prince Charming at the Shakespeare Theatre Companyin Washington, D.C. A singing competition where participants compete to impress the American public and judges - Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to win a recording contract. Follow Lyndsey on Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Amazon, Tumblr, Vine, Spotify, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. Take a Gander at Broadway-Aimed Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical | Broadway Buzz", "Photo Flash: Meet the 'MOONSHINE' Cast & Creative Team, Beginning Previews Tonight in Dallas! American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini stars in a new ad campaign for Diet Dr Pepper.. Guarini takes on an alter ego named Lil' Sweet in the commercial. The spot premiered during Monday nights College Football Playoff National Championship. Sadly, the film did not receive great ratings from critics. Soon after, Guarini signed with American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. Lil' Sweet is seemingly the mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper but sometimes shows in ads for the regular version of the soda. Join the Fun!! 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. No one knows where he keeps it, though, the soft drinks YouTube channel states. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Of course we all remember From Justin to Kelly, the 2003 movie starring Guarini and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. These Dr. Pepper commercials might even be the only place youve seen him. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The pint-sized heavy metal . The spot premiered during Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship. His father, Eldrin Bell, is African-American and is a former Atlanta, Georgia, Chief of Police, and former chairperson of the Clayton County Commission in Clayton County, Georgia. Guarini finally made his Broadway debut in 2010, appearing in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The first Lil Sweet ad debuted in February. He attended Central Bucks High School East. . Justin Guarini, who finished second to Kelly Clarkson in season one of the reality singing competition, has been playing that part since 2015. Guarini performed on stage throughout high school and college and learned to play the piano, guitar, and banjo. The musician has two studio albums: Justin Guarini (2003) and Stranger Things Have Happened (2005). Not On RCA Records, Apparently Music, Celebrity, Artist News", "Idol Star Guarini Leaves Company of Good Vibrations", "American Idol's Justin Guarini Marches Down the Aisle", Justin Guarini Joins Broadway's Women on the Verge; Casting Complete, "Justin Guarini's 'Breakdown' getting a beatdown from theater critics", "Broadway's 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' lacks an edge", "Theater review: 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' at the Belasco Theatre | Culture Monster", "Davey Havok, Justin Guarini, Van Hughes Will Be New Leads of Broadway's American Idiot", "Justin Guarini Welcomes Son William Neko", "Broadway s Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad Coming to Fathom Events Network of Movie Theaters Nationwide", "Justin Guarini Nabs Lead in 'Wicked' on Broadway", "Caroline Bowman and Kara Lindsay Will Be Broadway's New Wicked Witches; Robin De Jesus, Matt Shingledecker to Also Join Cast", "Emily Skinner, Shuler Hensley, Justin Guarini Set for GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY Workshop, 12/5", "Photo Flash: First Look at Justin Guarini, Lauren Molina, Jill Paice and More in Bucks County's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE", "Review: 'Paint Your Wagon,' Starring Keith Carradine, Opens at Encores! The Georgia-native singer ended up losing to pop songstress Kelly Clarkson, who now has several Grammy Awards to her name! After losing to Kelly Clarkson, he went on to co-star with her in the box-office bomb "From Justin to Kelly" and try his hand as a recording artist. But, now I knew I was onto something, and I wasn't letting go. In case you didnt know, Lil Sweet is a miniature version of Guarini who pops up to sing to people and give them a Dr. Pepper. He went on to sign with 19 Management, landing a record deal with RCA. Well, where has that very Justin been since? The beloved character has appeared in commercials since 2015. It is no secret that placing in the finals of American Idol can get you your 15 minutes of fame (see "Soul Patrol" patron Taylor Hicks), but not necessarily more than that. Duggar fans 'CRINGE' as Jim Bob and Michelle teach daughter Jessa and husband Ben how to KISS in 19 Kids & Counting clip, Taron Egerton splits from girlfriend of six years Emily Thomas after collapsing on stage and pulling out of theatre show, Watch Teen Mom Leah Messer RIP MTV cameras out of her car in explosive new show clip. But Broadway seems like it is not a detour for Guarini, but a destination. Lil' Sweet & The Doctor of Dr Pepper Records play the "Dr Pepper & Cream Soda Theme" as they promote Dr Pepper & Cream Soda and Diet Dr Pepper & Cream Soda -- two new drinks said to constitute a delicious duet. He began singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir at the age of four. It also happened to coincide with the season 2 finale and the release of the movie, From Justin to Kelly. The runner-up from the 2002 debut season of American Idol he lost to Kelly Clarkson has reprised his role as Lil Sweet in an odd series of Dr. Pepper commercials. [35] He was an executive producer for the 2015 revival of the musical Side Show. Justin turned his focus from albums to performing live and took to stage and film acting. Justin attended the University of the Arts, where he took up vocal performance and theater studies. We use this field to verify if the person is not a bot and wont leave spam comments on the website. The former "Idol" runner-up makes sweet music as Diet Dr Pepper's "Lil Sweet," looking unrecognizable in a long purple wig in the latest commercial titled "Birthday." He made his Broadway debut in 2010 in Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown. Justin performs in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade from time to time and has been a co-host throughout the years. In an exclusive pictorial of the wedding, People reported that the couple married on September 26, 2009. [22], In 2015, he starred in the New York City Center Encores presentation Paint Your Wagon. Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Mar 27, 2015 136 Dislike Share Save Wochit Entertainment 183K subscribers Justin Guarini is back. Scroll down to find out what Justin Guarini is up to today. But its pretty well-known that Lil Sweet is actually the Season 1Idol runner-up even if Justin is somewhat unrecognizable wearing Aqua-Netted long locks even lusher than his famous Sideshow Bob curls and a sparkly gypsy scarf that looks like it was plucked from ex-Idol judge Steven Tylers closet. Lil Sweet is BACK yall! Guarini wrote on Twitter after the new commercial premiered. [20][21] In It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play Guarini voiced George Bailey in a 2015 on-stage comedic production. During the thrilling first season of Idolin 2002, when America had found its new pop culture craze and Brian Dunkleman was still a co-host, Clarkson came to embody the show's promise right out of the gate. He went on to sign with 19 Management, landing a record deal with RCA. All rights reserved. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Justin Guarini is married to wife Reina Capodici. Wanting to continue his singing career, Justin independently released his second album, Stranger Things Have Happened Here. All Rights Reserved. Luckily, in Guarini's case, Idol was just the beginning! While stepping out to support the opening of The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios[8] in February 2009, Guarini confirmed his impending marriage to his fiance, Reina Capodici. Since 2015, the now 43-year-old has played Lil' Sweet in the Diet Dr. Pepper commercials and web marketing. The title track from his album Stranger Things Have Happened was also used in the documentary. ", By Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Don't miss a beat. It was really a difficult decision," Guarini told TheaterMania. Since 2015, Guarini has been starring as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing. The late Nikki McKibbin, Justin, and Kelly at FOX-TVs American Idolin Los Angeles, Ca. From 2007 to 2011, TV Guide Network signed Guarini as permanent co-host for Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Justin Guarini is back on the small screen, but he looks very different from his "American Idol" days. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Dr. Pepper commercials often feature miniature musician Lil' Sweet, Justin Guarini almost won the first season of American Idol, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2012), It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (2012).