Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization Announces Justin Guarini as Co-host for Final Night of Competition

Photo: Matt Beard

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization and John M. Best, the producer of the 2011 Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant made a very special announcement today. Season one runner up of American Idol, Justin Guarini will be co-hosting the final night of the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant with Miss America Caressa Cameron this summer in Orlando. Justin will also be performing during MAOTeen’s Friday night event, an Evening of Stars Extravaganza.

“We couldn't ask for a better co-host and are very excited to have Justin as a part of the final show," Best said. "It is going to be a very exciting year in Orlando with all kinds of new and exciting changes and announcing Justin and Caressa as co-hosts is just the beginning."

MAOT, the “little sister” to Miss America, will host its national competition in Orlando, FL during the week of August 24-29, 2010 with 53 state representatives competing in various competitions for a chance to win over $30,000 in college scholarships and the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2011.
Philadelphia native and American Idol season one runner up, Justin Guarini is currently one of TV Guide Network's resident hosts. In addition to seeing him on the red carpet for TV Guide during Award Season covering The Oscars, The Grammys, The Emmys and more, Justin also hosts their movie premiere and junket specials. Prior to that, Justin was TV Guide Network's resident American Idol expert, and brought a first-hand insider's perspective to his hosting responsibilities as the co-host of the weekly series Idol Tonight, the exclusive pre-show to American Idol, shot before a live audience at Television City Studios in Los Angeles and Reality Chat: Idol Wrap, TV Guide Network's weekly in-studio talk show.

Justin has a special connection with Disney. When Justin was brought in to host the twenty-minute pre-show video recorded exclusively for the new American Idol Experience attraction at Walt Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, he took full advantage of the magical environment. He proposed to his now wife Reina in the UK at beautiful Epcot Center under the stars.

Since starring on American Idol, Guarini participated in the national Idols Live! Tour performing for sold out audiences across the country and continues to tour nationally performing all over the U.S. & abroad. Justin completed two studio albums including Justin Guarini produced by RCA Records and Clive Davis, and Stranger Things Have Happened, and is currently working on his third album. He also starred in the films From Justin to Kelly with Kelly Clarkson and Fast Girl with Mircea Monroe and Caroline Rhea. He has also appeared on the FOX Television comedy Run of The House and AMC's Film Fakers, season three of CMT's highest-rated original series Gone Country, alongside legendary artists such as Sheila E. and George Clinton.

Justin has made numerous appearances as a guest and performer on popular television programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Chelsea Lately and the Teen Choice Awards. In addition to hosting for the TV Guide Network, Justin has also frequently appeared on a variety of other programs as a special "Idol" correspondent including "Larry King Live," "MSNBC News Live," "Showbiz Tonight," "Rita Cosby," and "Fox News Live."

Justin's formal music education began at the age of four with the Atlanta Boys Choir and continued with the Philadelphia Arch-Diocese Choir. After concentrating on his classical and spiritual music background, he went on to study vocal performance, dance, theatrical arts, and film and television acting at The University of The Arts in Philadelphia.

A strong believer in music education, Justin has lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of The International Music Products Association, which seeks to curb the slashing of music education, and has spoken before the NAACP regarding the importance of music in schools. Justin is currently involved with the ETM-LA (Education Through Music LA) which funds music programs in disadvantaged schools.

Source: MAOT