Justin Guarini Rocks Out as Metal Man ‘Lil’ Sweet’ in Hilarious Dr Pepper Ads

No, that’s not the Darkness’s Justin Hawkins or Stix Zadinia from Steel Panther rocking out in those new, going-viral-as-we-speak Diet Dr Pepper commercials. It’s not even American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis in full-on Rock of Ages mode. It’s actually another American Idol alum (and another Justin), Justin Guarini — and clearly “self-employed” rocker Lil’ Sweet is the role he was born to play.

“Lil’ known fact about Lil’ Sweet: He sings in the key of sweet and always carries a spare six pack of Diet Dr Pepper with him. No one knows where he keeps it, though,” the soft drink’s YouTube channel states.

But it’s pretty well-known that Lil’ Sweet is actually the Season 1 Idol runner-up… even if Justin is somewhat unrecognizable wearing Aqua-Netted long locks even lusher than his famous Sideshow Bob curls and a sparkly gypsy scarf that looks like it was plucked from ex-Idol judge Steven Tyler’s closet.

Seriously, if Justin Guarini had looked and sounded like this back in Season 1, I totally would have voted for him.

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