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American Idol Phenomena continues to roll

“No one had any clue what would happen,” recalled Justin Guarini, who shows up this weekend on “American Idol Rewind.”

Soon, the singers became media stars. Guarini was proclaimed a sure winner, the next big pop star. Then he was semi-forgotten.

Not to worry. At 27, Guarini seems to retain the sunny nature that dominated TV in the summer of 2002.

“That’s when my hair had its own ZIP code,” he joked. It was also the year being viewed now on “American Idol Rewind.”

A non-network show being sold to individual stations, “Rewind” repackages “Idol.” It includes scenes from the show, plus backstage footage and current interviews.

That started last weekend with an overview. Now the show begins looking at the first season; this weekend views those first auditions when no one knew what was coming.

“My mom ended up seeing one of those ads from Fox,” Guarini said. “I went to the ’American Idol’ tryouts in New York and was 126th in line.”

He was 23 then and fairly worldly. His dad had led Atlanta’s police department, his mom, Kathy, had been a CNN reporter, his stepfather was a doctor. Guarini had been singing in public since he was 4.

He had grown up mainly in Pennsylvania, with his mom and stepdad. And when he got to those auditions, he was noticed.

“I was fortunate to have some early branding, with my hair,” Guarini said.

That was the afro-style hair he sometimes compared to Sideshow Bob on “The Simpsons.” It was part of his image, along with fluid dance moves and a megawatt smile.

Many people quickly designated him as the show’s front-runner. After all, the British version had seen guys finish first and second.

“We’ve all seen Justin’s a great performer,” finalist Christina Christian said that summer. “The majority of (viewers) are female, enjoying his beautiful face. If he does become the winner, I think the females on the show (will still) do very well.”

Guarini did have a few off weeks. Once, he slid into the bottom three; another time, he talked back to judge Simon Cowell before that was fashionable.

“Now you can do that,” Guarini said. “Back then it was something no one did. I don’t think people liked it.”

As it turned out the predictions for him were too optimistic.

Kelly Clarkson won and Guarini finished second. Their movie, “From Justin to Kelly,” died. Her albums soared. His didn’t.

Still, the optimism remains. Guarini said he liked the movie. (“Don’t watch it if you want to see an exciting plot. It’s a fun, family film.”) He feels the previous two albums were rushed, but is optimistic about his upcoming one.

“It’s the album I would have loved to make originally,” he said. “It’s going to be funky and soulful.”

Even without the towering hair, he said, he’s recognized everywhere. Guarini feels the finalists from that first “Idol” got all the benefits of stardom with few drawbacks.

“Just the fact that we did it is something,” he said. “We got through it with our heads screwed on straight.”

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