By Justin Guarini
Fancast American Idol Correspondent
Host of Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight, TV Guide Channel
When I got home, I found out that I didn’t record Tuesday’s show. I think my DVR knew it was Fat Tuesday.
Ah well. That’s technology for ya. Can’t live without it, can’t yell at it when it doesn’t do what you tell it to do.
I’m waiting for the day when technology truly takes over our daily lives, even our thinking, when we implant chips in our body that helps us remember things, stick to a diet, and see. We’ll download music directly into our brains. That day is almost here. But here’s my concern: What will happen when it screws up? Will we have backup copies of our retinas just in case?
I digress.
I’d like to quickly answer a question posed to me from a Fancast user named Nal, who asked about Stevie Wonder. The song we sang together was “If We Ever Needed The Lord Before” by Take 6. First of all, Take 6 was a huge influence on me as a youngster. Their first album “Take 6” is still one of my all-time favorites. So Stevie and I, very informally sang that song together at The Trumpet Awards (you might have seen pictures of it, I was with Eric Benet as well). They sat a few tables behind me. I stopped by to say hi to them. Then I sang with The Man. Check out Take 6, if you don’t already know about them. They’re amazing.
Ok, so to wrap up my audition:
I sang, as best I could. I was very nervous…and if you go back and watch the footage…you’ll see me lift my hand on the word ‘you’ I think, and it will be shaking, slightly. That’s all that betrayed my state of mind. Other than that I was right as rain.
Paula was impressed (thank God, I was singing to her after all) and the guys to her left and right seemed to like me too. Randy was pleased, I can’t remember…
You know what, I just went and watched the audition on YouTube…Paula was not wearing a hat! Oops! I have so much Idol footage stored in my head and that one must have leaked out.
Anyway Paula said I was joyful and confident, and Randy asked where I was from (that didn’t make the show) I told him Philly by way of Atlanta, and then he asked me about my background (African-American/Italian) and if I had grown up in the church…I had. It was so nice to see that the judges were happy with my performance. The blood was coming back to my face when Simon told me that he was very happy to find an undiscovered voice like mine. Wow. Ok, I didn’t know who he was, but I liked what he was saying.
I was going to Hollywood! The cameras were there to catch my joy. I still had no clue as to what was going to happen, but Ryan and Brian were there asking me how I felt…and it was good. I remember having a huge pimple that I was trying to hide from the camera. Isn’t it always that was though…something important comes up and so does the pimple…ah well, at least now I know how to cover it. Back then I just used Visine to take away the redness…it works, try it.
There’s the long and short of it. I’d never been to the West Coast, so that was a plus. I had no clue what I was in for…so that was a plus. I was about to go to La-La land.
Funny enough, I got a call from the people who cast The Lion King, on Broadway and they asked me if I wanted to join the cast.
I had literally been auditioning for years for the chance to go to Broadway and do this play. Years. I had attended master classes that you have to audition for and then be invited to by the producers. There I learned Zulu and Sutu phrases, as well as the music from the show. It was a dream almost come true at the time, but now I knew I was on to something…and I wasn’t letting go. I politely declined the offer of a role, it hurt to do so..don’t get me wrong, and put all my chips on Hollywood.
Next week…Hollywood, and beyond!!!
homepage photo credit: Matt Beard
Comments (10)
hi justin, i liked your stevie wonder story that is very cool you got to sing with him since he is one of your idols. interesting about the lion king offer coming in right at that time, i am glad you made the choice for hollywood. singing to paula was definately the best choice out of the 3 judges. lol
Posted by JJsugar | February 8, 2008 3:17 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 03:17
Shut up. You totally stole that Visine thing from me, Guarini. Ahhh well, I forgive you. Um...oh, the blog. Yes. Very nice. I like. =)
Posted by Katie | February 8, 2008 5:44 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 05:44
"I’m waiting for the day when technology truly takes over our daily lives, even our thinking, when we implant chips in our body that helps us remember things, stick to a diet, and see. We’ll download music directly into our brains. That day is almost here. But here’s my concern: What will happen when it screws up? Will we have backup copies of our retinas just in case?"
You have a truly unique mind, that makes me think it is so fertile that there must be something growing in there. You said once that Jerry was a great conversationalist and that made me want to have a conversation with him. It appears that you would be just as interesting to chat with.
Posted by Lee | February 8, 2008 7:57 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 07:57
Thanks for the extra blog. It's always such a plasure to get inside that head of yours!
Posted by Danica | February 8, 2008 10:38 AM
Posted on February 8, 2008 10:38
I checked out Take 6 on iTunes and love them! I'm going to buy their album after this post. I really owe you a big thanks for singing songs by legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green, because I'm only 18 (and was 12/13 when you were on idol!) and thanks to you those are some of my favorite singers now. You've opened doors to music that I probably would have never explored had you not performed their songs first.
Posted by Danica | February 8, 2008 2:23 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:23
"Shut up. You totally stole that Visine thing from me, Guarini. Ahhh well, I forgive you. Um...oh, the blog. Yes. Very nice. I like. =)"
^^^LMFAO Katie you crack me up as well as the J-man over here HEHEHEHEHE!!!!!
Oh yeah comment, me like the blog hahaha :)
Posted by Amanda | February 8, 2008 4:11 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 16:11
I love Take 6! They are an amazing vocal group. Everyone should check them out for sure.
Loving this inside scoop on your experiences. Keep up the awesome blogs!
Posted by Christy | February 8, 2008 5:40 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 17:40
Thanks so much for another blog this week!! I agree with others Take 6 is an incredible acapella gospel, jazz, etc, group. They are definitely worth checking out. What made you decide to go to Hollywood instead of taking the role in The Lion King? You will make an incredible Simba. I hope Broadway is in your future in addition to all your other entertainment endeavors. Thanks again for sharing so much with us.
Posted by Joyce | February 8, 2008 7:04 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 19:04
Thank you for answering my question about what you sang with Stevie Wonder! Totally agree about Take 6. With your history in an acapella group (very good, btw), no surprise you appreciate what they do so well. Please keep talking about your work, your music, and music in general. Love it.
About the NYC audition. You're being modest about the judges reaction to you. I thought they were going to light up a smoke afterwards. There was quite a stir even after you left the room. No idea what YouTube vid you watched, but in case you've never seen their remarks after you left, this one shows them: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UJaDzvZJFVQ
Posted by Nal | February 8, 2008 11:29 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 23:29
I'm so glad you put that audition footage up, Nal. Incredible!
Posted by jpet | February 8, 2008 11:45 PM
Posted on February 8, 2008 23:45