Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell) was born on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia. Guarini rose to fame on the television show American Idol. His father, Eldrin Bell, is a former Atlanta Chief of Police. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, was a journalist for WTVM TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather Jerry Guarini in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Guarini's music career started at the age of four with the prestigious Atlanta Boys Choir. He continued to sing in school choirs, and, in 1996-97, was the lead soloist is an award-winning a capella group named Midnight Voices. Guarini's early theater credits include leads in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Little Prince, Pirates of Penzance, Taming of the Shrew, and Once on This Island. In addition to singing and stage performing, Guarini plays the piano and guitar.

After graduating from Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Guarini studied vocal performance and theater studies at the University of Arts in Philadelphia. He later moved to New York City where he attended the School for Film and Television. He worked briefly on Broadway and was recruited by Broadway scouts to join the cast of The Lion King in their master classes before auditioning for American Idol in April of 2002.

Guarini was an instant sensation during the debut season of American Idol, ultimately becoming the popular runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in September 2002. Guarini was quickly signed by American Idol's 19 Management and secured a record deal with RCA. After displaying a broad range of natural showmanship during the American Idol Tour, the talented newcomer's career appeared ready to take off. However, unlike subsequent seasons, Guarini was required to wait three months after the release of the winner‘s album before releasing any solo projects or accepting any outside offers. Some known offers he was forced to refuse were a guest role on Friends, the emcee role in Broadway's Cabaret, a major role in The Fast and the Furious, recording the soundtrack for a film, and modeling for Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.

His long delayed first project, the self-titled album Justin Guarini, eventually debuted nine months later in June of 2003, coinciding with both the higher profile releases of the current second season American Idol top finishers, and Simon Fuller's ill-fated movie project, From Justin to Kelly, starring Guarini and Clarkson. The timing further hindered Guarini, while having little impact on Clarkson whose career momentum had already been established with several solo projects and individual promotion during the prior months. After a short period of haphazard promotion, Guarini was dropped by RCA. When legally possible, he decided to end his ties with Fuller's 19 Management.

In 2004, Guarini participated in the New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater presentation of the musical Good Vibrations at Vassar College. His well-received performance (which included singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar) in the Vassar production landed Guarini an offer to continue the role in the original Broadway production of the musical Good Vibrations. He eventually declined the offer.

He continues to act with roles in independent film projects such as The Unknown: Frankie The Squirrel, and the short film Tilt-a-Whirl for the Dances With Films Film Festival. Guarini is an active national spokesperson for Support Music Education, and participates in raising funds for charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rockers on Broadway, Broadway's Kitchen Sink, and various children's hospitals across the country.

In 2005, Guarini co-produced his second album Stranger Things Have Happened, a praised album of jazz standards independently released in December through his own production company, Justice Entertainment, Ltd..

--wikipedia