LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The spotlight Justin Guarini enjoyed during his "American Idol" reign has faded since his dismal recording debut and the loss of his record deal.
Guarini, the runner-up during the inital "American Idol" season when Kelly Clarkson won, has lost all of the momentum he enjoyed when he was at the center of the show's publicity machine. In fact, Guarini did not even know that his record label had ended his contract following the release of his self-titled debut.
"You know, funny enough with RCA -- to be perfectly honest -- I found out I was dropped from an article in Us Magazine," Guarini said about losing his recording contract at Access Hollywood's Web site Thursday.
In another slight, Guarini was passed over as a tour mate for Clarkson when another "American Idol" runner-up, Clay Aiken, was chosen to tour this spring with her.
Aiken's debut album has sold more than 2 million copies domestically as opposed to Justin's which sold 140,000. Guarini, however, starred with Clarkson in last summer's film, "From Justin to Kelly," a major flop.
Guarini has now signed with Benny Medina, the veteran producer behind the successful careers of Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and P. Diddy.
