Justin Guarini on ‘Superkitties’.Photo:Getty;Courtesy Disney
Getty;Courtesy Disney
Justin Guariniis going fromBroadwayto burglary.
TheAmerican Idolseason 1 alumnus is flexing his vocal chops as the voice of Cat Burglar on the Disney cartoonSuperkitties,playing the four-legged villain on the run from a fuzzy band of good guys. (The series returns April 5 on Disney Junior and will air on Disney+ this summer.)
“I’ve loved cartoons all my life,” Guarini, 45, tells PEOPLE. “I remember being a young kid and trying to impersonate different characters and sound effects and really loving it. And when the opportunity for a Disney show came along, I jumped at it. It’s fun to step into the mindset of this villain who’s doing all the wrong things for the right reasons. And I get to sing on top of that.”
Singing is what he’s best known for, to some: Guarini famously came in second onAmerican Idolseason 1in 2002behindKelly Clarkson(they’re still in touch).
“There’s only so many of us who have gotten to that certain point in the show, and as one of the finalists, all of the weight is on these two people. It’s a really unique experience — like a club — and the fact thatAmerican Idolcontinues to turn out some of the most notable people in the entertainment industry is no accident,” he says.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I will forever be grateful toIdolfor, not even a foot in the door, but a whole body smashing through the door to get into the entertainment industry,” Guarini continues. “In my 23-year career, the foundation of that is based on the opportunity that I was given to stand on that stage and to sing week after week in front of 30 million people. I reflect on it all the time and the feeling is just gratitude.”
Justin Guarini on Broadway in ‘Once Upon a One More Time’.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
That feeling carries him through all aspects of his career; Guarini says “what’s really interesting is when people come up to me, they either do it because they remember me fromIdol,or have seen me on Broadway, or have seen me in television commercials for soft drinks, or come up to me because their kids watchSuperkitties.And it’s such a wild thing to be known for so many different things to so many people.”
To his kids, it’s one part in particular.
“My 12-year-old was telling me the other day how a friend of his always introduces him as, ‘Hey, this guy’s dad is [Dr. Pepper’s] Lil’ Sweet,' " he says with a laugh.
Justin Guarini’s Superkitties character.Courtesy Disney
Courtesy Disney
Broadway is a community the actor finds “loving and accepting.” And it’s helped him reunite with longtime friends likeAnika Noni Rose, who also voices aSuperkittiescharacter (Cousin Sassy) this season and starred with Guarini and Clarkson in their post-Idolfilm,From Justin to Kelly.
“I’m excited to work with her,” Guarini shares. “And I love the fact that Cat Burglar really exemplifies the fact that it’s okay to make mistakes. But my character learns his lesson in the end and always makes sure to apologize. And I hope the kids who are watching recognize that they have that option, too.”
source: people.com
