UNDER THE RADAR

‘American Idol’ Star Divorced Wife of 15 Years in Secret

Justin Guarini was married to his wife Reina before the two split.

Justin Guarini, the singer who placed second in the first season of American Idol, has split from his wife. Guarini and his now-ex-wife Reina were married for 15 years and had two kids together. According to TMZ, Justin filed for divorce in the summer of 2024. The split became final in December 2025. No news outlets reported this development, leading to a bit of a surprise when Guarini posted a photo this January of him with business coach Kim Phillips. TMZ reported the two are dating. Guarini first gained international fame in 2002, when he lost to Kelly Clarkson in the very first season of American Idol. He kept his singing career alive, though, releasing a self-titled album the following year. Guarini also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Beyond music, he has dabbled in the world of film, teaming up with Clarkson on the movie From Justin to Kelly. The film was widely seen as a flop, earning a reputation as one of the worst movies of all time. He then took to the stage, playing roles in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Rent.