Whatever Happened To Justin Guarini From American Idol?
Isabella Bartlett
Even with his theater credentials and diet soda fandom, surely, there have to be moments when Justin Guarini feels a little bitter that he didn't win American Idol? Kelly Clarkson, after all, is now worth $45 million (per CheatSheet). Initially, Guarini revealed on an Oprah: Where Are They Now? episode, the singer was depressed and mortified over the public ridicule that followed the first season of the show. But Justin said he has always been thrilled and proud of Kelly's success. "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 HuffPost. "I'm so happy and proud, and just over the moon about how well she has done. She is an absolute icon, and you couldn't have a prouder friend than me."
Calling Kelly a "friend" may be an understatement; he revealed to E! in 2014 that these two AI rivals at one point had a romantic relationship. But that's all ancient history, now; Justin married high school sweetheart Reina Capodici in 2009, and the two are raising three children together near their hometown of Philadelphia (per Bustle).