Subscribe
During season 4 of American Idol, Constantine Maroulis stood out. He didn’t win (and I don’t think he should have) but he had something about him – some star quality. I guess that is why I am so happy when I hear that he’s doing well in his post-idol existence.
Here’s a nice interview in which he talks about what he’s been up to lately, his thoughts about Idol and his future:
First he smoldered for the cameras as a finalist on season four of “American Idol.” Now Constantine Maroulis is heating up daytime television with a recurring role as music producer Constantine Parros on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
“It’s been awesome,” says Maroulis of his stint on “B&B,” which is second only to “The Young and the Restless” in daytime-drama ratings. “It’s a good gig, and they’ve bent over backward for me. They’ve featured my music on the show and written me into the main storyline.”
Maroulis, 31, who will perform at StarJam 2007 on July 4 in Pigeon Forge, saw the soap stint as a good way to promote his upcoming album, “Constantine,” which will be released Aug. 7. (The first single, “Everybody Loves,” already is available on iTunes.)
“I think they wanted to gear the audience a little younger this summer and sort of shake things up a bit,” says Maroulis, who was pleased to discover that “B&B” executive producer Brad Bell was a fan. “When he called, I’d been finishing up the album in New York, had done some Broadway this year and such, and it just was perfect timing.”
While Maroulis gained the national spotlight as a singer on “Idol” in 2005, he was well-prepared to take on an acting challenge. Born in Brooklyn and reared in New Jersey, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from the Boston Conservatory while concurrently minoring in voice at the Berklee College of Music.
Prior to “Idol,” he spent two years portraying Roger Davis in a touring company of “Rent.” He finished 2006 by co-starring in the Broadway musical “The Wedding Singer” and started 2007 by performing Off-Broadway in “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris” for six weeks.
A veteran of high-school garage bands, Maroulis was the lead singer for the rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty when he auditioned for “Idol” (he left the group in March 2006). He came to the talent competition with years of performing experience, unlike many contestants best known for singing in the shower, but he didn’t find the dichotomy awkward.
“I think it certainly worked for me,” he says by cell phone as he waits for his flight to board at Los Angeles International Airport. “I think the energy that I bring to the stage and the work I like to do is about connecting to the audience in a cerebral, heartfelt way, not just blowing them away with a voice or looks or anything like that.
“I’m experienced, and I’ve traveled the world, and I’ve seen a lot of things. With other people, they (pick) certain performers that are fresh off the boat, off the farm or plucked out of the mall or whatever. It’s just a different path from some other people, that’s all.”
After six weeks of impressing viewers as a finalist with such numbers as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “I Think I Love You,” Maroulis was voted off “Idol” during a shocking results show following his performance the night before of Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me.”
“The song was not right for me,” says the singer, who was the season’s sixth-place finisher. “But that was what was meant to be.”
He views his “Idol” experience as positive.
“I went into it with an open mind and open heart, and I did my best,” he says. “I’ve been very blessed since then. I can’t complain. I’ve gotten to do everything I’ve wanted to do.
“Now I’m gearing up for this record — spent a lot of time on it, started my own label, handpicked musicians, the producers, the writers. Collaborated with some great people. There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears on this record.
“(I’m) not worried about winning contests and things. (I’m) just interested in doing good work and pushing forward.”
Tags: american idol, constantine maroulis, constantine, interview, bold and beautiful
Thanks for the great article and blog on Constantine! I can’t wait for his debut CD on Aug 7th! Please check out his myspace or join iteam to help support him!
c&P
http://i-squad.com/link/link/NTIyMjk2fDMxMQ==
[...] Blog Posts Constantine – Working on Soap Opera is ?Awesome? During season 4 of American Idol, Constantine Maroulis stood out. He didn?t win (and I don?t think [...]
I think Constantine has an amazing voice; however, when he looks in the camera, it gives me the willies. I am anxious to hear his music.
Thank you for the nice blog. He IS doing well and love seeing him all over the place. Maybe 1st place wasn’t in the cards, but 6th was far too soon. No matter. He is making the best of his AI experience. Looking forward to more great things from him. Thanks again!
This was a real nice interview. I am so happy to see Constantine doing well and getting a chance to explore lots of different media and formats. I think CBS likes him too, they have given his music most excellent support during this run on the Bold and the Beautiful. He’s learned to much on the soap, that I think he comes across as more natural than some of the regular actors. And personally I like his looks as well, something exotic and untamed, yet warm and inviting. I wish him the very best in his career, and hope it is successful and long long long, so I can enjoy his work a long time as well.
This was a real nice interview. I am so happy to see Constantine doing well and getting a chance to explore lots of different media and formats. I think CBS likes him too, they have given his music most excellent support during this run on the Bold and the Beautiful. He’s learned so much on the soap, that I think he comes across as more natural than some of the regular actors. And personally I like his looks as well, something exotic and untamed, yet warm and inviting. I wish him the very best in his career, and hope it is successful and long long long, so I can enjoy his work a long time as well.
Thanks for posting this great interview. It’s nice to hear positive things are happening for Constantine. There hasn’t been another all round performer like him on American Idol since he left and he definitely left too soon. Still not sure about how legit that “vote” was. Can’t wait for his debut album. Thanks again.
Awww.. you guys are welcome! I love Constantine too so it was nice to have something good to post!