Justin Guarini Recalls Depression After RCA Dropped Him

Justin Guarini says he spent months isolated and depressed after his music career stalled and he learned in 2003 that RCA had dropped him. The former American Idol runner-up recalled finding out about the label’s decision through a Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live, rather than in a direct call from the company or his team.

Guarini described the experience in his book, Center Stage Confidence, and in interviews. His account of how RCA communicated the decision, and the emotional effect it had on him, is based on his recollections. The reports do not include RCA’s response.

In passages from the book, Guarini wrote that he lost weight, slept more and felt increasingly unlike himself as he spent months dwelling on the setback. In an interview, he described the period as one of isolation, saying he did not want to get out of bed, look in the mirror or go out.

Guarini’s first album, released in 2003, reached the top 20 of the Billboard 200. His second album, released independently in 2005, did not chart, according to the reports. He also starred with Kelly Clarkson in the 2003 musical comedy From Justin to Kelly, which did not lead to the career momentum he had hoped for.