Justin Guarini Does the guy in the new Diet Dr Pepper commercial look familiar to you? Early American Idol fans, rejoice – it's none other than Justin Guarini. The 36-year-old singer and Broadway actor stars in the soda ad as "Lil' Sweet."

Since 2015, Guarini has been starring as Lil' Sweet in Diet Dr Pepper television commercials, and web marketing.

Despite what seems like a pretty obvious Prince influence, Guarini contends the character is a general glam rocker who is not based on any single figure. Deustch also denies he's based on Prince. (Nobody is confusing him for Ziggy Stardust, though … and some commenters seem to think it actually is The Purple One.)

David Naughton Because of the visibility he achieved through the “Be a Pepper” commercials, David Naughton became America's heartthrob. Peppers everywhere were eager to see more of him and their wish was granted when the horror film An American Werewolf in London was released in August of 1981.

Justin Guarini You may recognize him from his time singing on American Idol, from his role as 'Lil Sweet' on the Dr. Pepper commercials, or from your local grocery store aisles. That's because Justin Guarini, when he's not entertaining the world, lives right here in Bucks County with his wife and two sons.

Dr Pepper Zero Sugar is sweetened with a combination of aspartame and acesulfame potassium, which makes it slightly more syrupy (read: realistic).

Guarini's was the runner-up in American Idol's first season. He has since released two studio albums, two EPs and has appeared on Broadway and television. Watch Guarini and Clarkson reminisce on their Idol experience above.

Originally made in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink's unique flavor was a hit when it was first sold in 1885. Wade Morrison, the drug store owner, named it "Dr. Pepper" after Dr. Charles Pepper, a Virginia doctor who was the father of a girl Morrison was once in love with.

To broaden its appeal across the nation, Dr Pepper hailed itself as “the most misunderstood soft drink,” and then in the 1970s became “the most original soft drink ever in the whole wide world.” In 1977, Dr Pepper advertising was marked by the famous “Be a Pepper” campaign, followed by “Be You.” The newest slogan out ...

Originally made in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink's unique flavor was a hit when it was first sold in 1885. Wade Morrison, the drug store owner, named it "Dr. Pepper" after Dr. Charles Pepper, a Virginia doctor who was the father of a girl Morrison was once in love with.

Guarini's was the runner-up in American Idol's first season. He has since released two studio albums, two EPs and has appeared on Broadway and television. Watch Guarini and Clarkson reminisce on their Idol experience above.

Kelly Clarkson American Idol began in 2002, and the first winner of the inaugural season was Kelly Clarkson, who is now a renowned singer and songwriter with many hits to her name such as 'Since U Been Gone,' 'Don't Rush,' and 'Don't You Wanna Stay'.