Justin Guarini admits he was a little ‘full of himself’ after ‘American Idol’ fame
Justin Guarini admitted he was a little “full of” himself during the hype surrounding his time on “American Idol.”
“Being stuck with yourself in one way or another is inevitable in this situation,” the “From Justin to Kelly” star exclusively told Page Six at the 2023 American Theater Wing Gala on Monday .
Justin — who recently wrapped his role as the prince in the musical “Once Upon a One More Time,” based on songs popularized by Britney Spears — credits his parents, Eldrin Bell and Kathy Guarini, for keeping him even. Keel.
“I was very lucky to have parents in the media, so I was able to observe what made people rise, what made them fall,” he explained, referring to his mother, who was a journalist at PKBNEWS.
“Again, I’m a human being, I may have felt full of myself at many times and I was humbled by life and I took my lessons and learned,” he said. he continued.
Justin and Kelly Clarkson were one of two finalists vying to win the first season of “American Idol” in 2002. He ended up losing to the “Stronger” singer, 41, in a finale that was watched by more than 30 million viewers.
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After finishing second on the reality show, Justin starred alongside Clarkson in the film “From Justin to Kelly,” which exploded in theaters. He also released an album that performed poorly.
Meanwhile, Clarkson has released a string of hits, including “Since U Been Gone” and “Because of You,” and now hosts her own talk show.
Despite Clarkson’s success, Justin refuses to be bitter, saying she deserved to win and have the career she has.
“I consider myself very lucky to have been at the top of the rankings and then to have been almost forgotten because I find myself somewhere in the middle having learned the lessons that need to be learned from both sides and that is why I am still there.,” he shared.
That’s not to say Justin hasn’t had some dark moments.
“Did I experience moments of intense doubt, did I want to give up, did I want to deplore my fate? » he asked rhetorically. “Of course, but I allow myself those moments, then I move on, I get back up and I continue. And the more I did it, the more I proved to myself that business just keeps coming, again and again.
“If I do a good job and I’m kind to people, and especially to myself, I can’t lose. »
Justin, who also teaches, said he imparts three things to his students, the first rule of which is to do a good job.
“I was offered tens and tens of thousands of dollars a week to do a reality TV show that has nothing to do with anything and I said no because I think it “You have to do good work that represents who I am and I’m proud to do it. Show my kids,” the “Fast Girl” actor told us.
The second is “to be nice to people, not just because you see people going down as well as up, but because it’s just the right thing to do” and finally to always “stay in the game” because ” this activity is cyclical.”
Other celebrities at the gala, which celebrated the “unsung heroes of the theater industry,” included “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Patti LuPone, Lin-Manuel Miranda and recent Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee.