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

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.

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.)

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."

A theory often cited is that the drink was named after an actual doctor, one Charles T. Pepper of Rural Retreat, Virginia. Morrison may have named the drink after the doctor in gratitude for Pepper having given Morrison his first job.

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.

Dr Pepper is America's unique flavor and was created, manufactured and sold beginning in 1885 in the Central Texas town of Waco.

David Walsh Naughton David Walsh Naughton (born February 13, 1951) is an American actor and singer known for his starring roles in the horror film An American Werewolf in London (1981) and the Disney comedy Midnight Madness (1980), as well as for a long-running "Be a Pepper" ad campaign for beverage maker Dr Pepper.

Originally made in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink's unique flavor was a hit when it was first sold in 1885.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.

Originally created to refresh the brand's diet portfolio, Lil' Sweet's role has expanded from exclusively singing the praises of Diet Dr Pepper to now extolling the original - a testament to the mascot's staying power. But the rocker has done more than dole out soda.

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'.

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 ...