Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia, U.S) is an American singer and actor who 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 WTVN TV in Columbus, and later for CNN. Guarini was raised by his mother and stepfather Jerry Guarini in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. ...show more

Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia, U.S) is an American singer and actor who 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 WTVN 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 when accepted by the Atlanta Boy Choir acclaimed for its established reputation as one of the world's finest boy choirs. After moving to Pennsylvania, he joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Boys Choir. Throughout his school years, Guarini sang in school choirs, and in 1996-2000 was the lead soloist is an award winning a capella group named Midnight Voices. 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 Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

As director/performer at the Riverside Haunted Woods in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania in 2001, he directed over 50 actors in productions, wrote musical scores, performed, and helped build the 25 sets used. Guarini's high school and college 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. Guarini studied vocal performance and theater studies at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia) in Pennsylvania. ...show less