It’s been 20 years since singer Justin Guarini nearly walked away with the American Idol crown that Kelly Clarkson won. Shirley Bryan, in The Hub, reported on Guarini’s present career, launched atop his Doylestown upbringing and Central Bucks High School – East vocal experience.

Guarini was born in Georgia and started singing at age four, in the Atlanta Boy’s Choir. When his parents split and his mother moved to Doylestown, he continued with music as a member of the Phila. Boy’s Choir.

By 1996, when he was 19, Guarini and a group of fellow singers released a CD; its playlist stemmed from original songs used to serenade girlfriends the night before the CB – East graduation.

From there, Guarini studied vocal performance and theater at Phila.’a University of the Arts. He later moved to New York City to continue his education and begin auditioning.

By 2002 (after turning down a role in the original Broadway production of The Lion King), Guarini was on his American Idol run. He also played ‘Lil Sweet’ on the Dr. Pepper commercials.

In the aftermath, two albums, a brief movie career, and a steady string of theater roles followed. He is now married with two children.

Today, Guarini’s net worth is estimated at one million dollars, according to The Hub.

More on Justin Guarini here.

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