Constantine Maroulis

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Constantine Maroulis
Maroulis backstage with the cast of Rock of Ages
Maroulis backstage with the cast of Rock of Ages
Background information
Birth name Constantine James Maroulis
Born September 17, 1975 (1975-09-17) (age 36)
Origin Brooklyn, New York
Genre(s) Rock
Occupation(s) Musician, Actor
Years active 2003–present
Label(s) 6th Place Records
Associated acts Pray for the Soul of Betty
Rent
The Wedding Singer(2006)
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (2007)
The Bold and the Beautiful(2007)
Website Official site

Constantine James Maroulis (born September 17, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer, actor, and writer from Wyckoff, New Jersey. He was the lead vocalist of the hard rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty, and the sixth-place finalist on the fourth season of the popular reality television series American Idol. He was eliminated from American Idol on April 27, 2005.

Contents

Biography

Early years

Maroulis was born in Brooklyn to Greek American parents, James Constantine Maroulis and Constance P. Maroulis (born 1938). Both his maternal and his paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Greece in the 1920s.[1] He was brought up in the Greek Orthodox religion[2] and he can speak Greek. His older brother, Athan Maroulis (born 1964), is a record producer and his sister, Anastacia P. Maroulis (born 1968), is a schoolteacher.[3]

When Maroulis was five years old his family moved to Wyckoff, New Jersey, an affluent suburb of New York City, where he grew up. At that time he developed an interest in music, following the lead of his older brother. By age eleven he was studying the trumpet at Eisenhower Middle School.[4]

He later sang in high school garage bands, including Lady Rain and Milkbone. Maroulis graduated from Ramapo High School in 1993.[5] He later attended the The Boston Conservatory of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music and a minor in voice from the Berklee College of Music in 2002. He was in the cast recording of the 2000 musical, Suburban Dreams, which was produced by composer Stephen Thompson, Richard Kenner, and Jesse Merz.[6] Some years before appearing on Idol, Maroulis competed on the dating show Elimidate[7] and was an extra in NBC's Law and Order: SVU as well as performing as a voice-over artist on the Kids WB series Astro Boy.

He has appeared in a number of off-Broadway roles from the Conservatory, along with a series of independent films. After graduating the Conservatory, Maroulis trained as an acting apprentice at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival[8] in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and toured in the Broadway international touring company of Rent performing the lead role of Roger Davis.[2] His role as Roger was non-equity. Since he had no agent representing him, he was allowed to appear on American Idol. After Idol, Maroulis was briefly represented by the Creative Artists Agency, but as of October 2006, he is no longer represented by the agency.[9]

American Idol

In August 2004, supposedly upon an ex-girlfriend's suggestion, Maroulis traveled to Washington DC to audition for the television show American Idol. During the semifinals and finals of Idol, he was the subject of an internet meme, the Vote for the Worst online campaign provided by the Internet community, "Survivor Sucks" before the website switched focus to Scott Savol as a result of fan complaints.

For the 2005 season, Idol producers changed the age range of contestants from 16-24 to 16-28. Along with Bo Bice, Maroulis was one of the oldest contestants to participate on American Idol (and is currently the oldest to have made the finals of a previous season, at age 33). Maroulis and Bice are also notable for being among the first contestants to compete using the rock idiom.

On April 27 2005, Maroulis was eliminated from American Idol after he performed Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" during the 2000s music round. He was in the bottom three with Vonzell Solomon and Anthony Fedorov. Less than a week before his elimination, Maroulis's pre-Idol band, Pray For The Soul Of Betty, announced the May 10 release of their self-titled debut on their label, Baby Julius.[10]

Maroulis was featured on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation with "My Funny Valentine". His rendition of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" also earned him the praise of judges, including that of the usually harsh Simon Cowell. Maroulis later recorded a studio version of the track for Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, which was released on August 9, 2005 on Queen's label, Hollywood Records, a division of Universal. [9]

Betty frontman

Main article: Pray for the Soul of Betty

Maroulis was added to the band in 2003 as the lead vocalist after winning over 150 auditioners. For three years, he contributed lyrics and songs for the band. The band rose to national attention when Maroulis appeared on Idol. His audition clip showed him "quitting" the band, a claim he had denied at the time. On March 20, 2006, Maroulis announced his departure with the band due to creative and business differences. [11]

Solo career

In November and December 2005, Maroulis performed live shows in Manila, Philippines and New Jersey, USA. His set list included well-known songs he had performed previously in his theatre roles, from such productions as Hedwig and the Angry Inch[12] Rent, and Jesus Christ Superstar,[13] as well as from his stint on American Idol. In August, 2006, Constantine completed a solo tour of 13 cities throughout the Northeast, where he debuted material to be featured on his upcoming CD, including various self-penned compositions. [14]

Constantine created his own independent label, Sixth Place Records, a branch of Sixth Place Productions, which released his 2-years-in-the-making solo album, Constantine on August 7th, 2007. [15] Maroulis' self-titled CD consisted of 12 tracks, and debuted at #75 on the Billboard charts.

Maroulis sang the National Anthem when he played at the Reality All-Star Soccer Festival (organized by Survivor: Africa winner, Ethan Zohn) in April 2007, and also sang the Anthem before the start of a 49ers/Bengels football game at Monster Stadium, San Francisco in December 2007. The performance, broadcast nationally on the NFL Network, was hailed by commentator Bryant Gumbel as "a stirring performance."

Constantine (supported by Ben Phillips, guitarist/vocalist for the NYC-based hard rock band FAMOUS) embarked on another solo tour across the eastern U.S. in February 2008, playing to sold-out venues in various cities including Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Annapolis. Constantine also performed a concert in Hollywood, California on May 6, 2008 as a part of his solo tour. On June 22 he performed at Mattison Park in Asbury Park, NJ as part of the 3rd Annual Wave Gathering featuring 175 Emerging Musical Artists.

On October 24, 2008 Constantine appeared on an episode of Don't Forget the Lyrics! as a contestant. As a result of his appearance on the show, $25,000 was given to the charitable organization Broadway Cares. [16]

Acting career

In the fall of 2005, Maroulis was in negotiations to star in a television sitcom called Brooklyn that was to be loosely based on his upbringing as the youngest of three in a large Greek-American family of New York. Disney's ABC network bought rights to the show, courtesy of Grammnet (of Paramount, owned by Kelsey Grammer). However, later ABC passed on the project before it passed the script stage.[9]

Maroulis during The Wedding Singer.
Maroulis during The Wedding Singer.

On August 23, 2006, Playbill announced that Maroulis was joining the cast of the Broadway musical The Wedding Singer in the role of Sammy, alongside Stephen Lynch.[17] He joined the show in September. Along with the other cast members, he contributed a recording of the Adam Sandler "Hanukkah Song" to the 8th "Carols for a Cure" CD to help raise funds for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS organization. That fall, Maroulis also appeared on various episodes of MTV's Little Talent Show as host. [18]

Beginning on January 9, 2007, Maroulis took over the role of "Young Soldier" in the Off-Broadway musical revue, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris [19] where he performed through the end of February. That spring, Maroulis joined the lineup at FOX's morning show Good Day New York, serving as the show's resident American Idol expert; while simultaneously taking on the same role as Idol commentator for Yahoo! Buzz. Later that year, Maroulis joined the cast of the CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful for a limited run as Constantine Parros, a singer and record producer. [18] [20]

In February 2008, Maroulis appeared in a reading of Eric Sanders, playwright's play It's a Dry Heat at Playwrights Horizons, opposite Tony Award-nominee Isabel Keating and Gillian Jacobs. March of that year saw Maroulis joining the cast of American Idol Extra as cohost, along with fellow Idol alum Gina Glocksen and J.D. Roberto, broadcast on the Fox Reality Channel.[21] His next major role occurred that June, when Constantine starred as Judas in the Premier Theatre Company's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The production also featured Joe Russo portraying Jesus, and Tara Beams as Mary Magdalene. [22] When in high school, Constantine had previously played the role of Jesus, in an earlier production. [1]

Maroulis and the Rock of Ages cast backstage with Kevin Cronin.
Maroulis and the Rock of Ages cast backstage with Kevin Cronin.

Constantine is starring as Drew Bowie in Off-Broadway's production of Rock of Ages, a new musical featuring the music of 80's rock legends including Journey, Bon Jovi, and Twisted Sister; as of October 2008. [23] Rolling Stone states that "the off-Broadway play has found a perfect lead in American Idol rocker Constantine Maroulis," [24] while Associated Press adds that Maroulis "gives a touching performance and sings powerfully as Drew, the young wannabe rock singer." [25] The show was paid a sweet tribute by the landmark New York City restaurant Serendipity 3, which created a new dessert in its honor: the "I Wanna Rock Root Beer Float." [26] In December, it was announced that New Line Cinema would be turning Rock of Ages into a feature film. [27] The stage production is officially moving to Broadway in spring 2009; taking over the Brooks Atkinson Theater on April 7, with previews beginning March 17. [28]

Personal life

Constantine was the recipient of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund's Humanitarian Award for Artistic Achievement, in 2007. These annual awards recognizing outstanding achievement in the Greek-American community are presented to "individuals who have proven that hard work and dedication lead to achievement, thereby setting a perfect example for the HTSF scholarship recipients to emulate."[29] That same year, he was also honored with an award from New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. at the sixth annual Greek Heritage and Culture Celebration; honoring individuals recognized as leaders in the Greek Community. [30]


On October 24, 2007, US Weekly reported that Maroulis is currently dating '80s pop singer Debbie Gibson, although Maroulis says they are just friends.[31]

List of American Idol performances

Week # Song Choice Original Artist Result
Top 24 "Kiss from a Rose" Seal Safe
Top 20 "Hard to Handle" The Black Crowes Safe
Top 16 "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" The Police Safe
Top 12 "You've Made Me So Very Happy" Blood, Sweat & Tears Safe
Top 11 "I Think I Love You" The Partridge Family Safe
Top 10 "I Can't Make You Love Me" Bonnie Raitt Safe
Top 9 "My Funny Valentine" Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Safe
Top 8 "Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen Safe
Top 7 "Nights on Broadway" The Bee Gees Safe
Top 6 "How You Remind Me" Nickelback Eliminated

Discography

  • Pray for the Soul of Betty (2005) [Koch Records] Recorded with his band; Peaked at #125 on the Billboard Charts; #2 on Top Heatseekers; #7 on Top Independent Albums.
  • Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen (2005) [Hollywood Records] Contributed track "Bohemian Rhapsody".
  • American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers (2005) [RCA] Contributed a recording of "My Funny Valentine"; a standout performance from his Idol run.
  • Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Volume 8 (2006) [Rock-It Science] Contributed the track "Hanukkah Song," performed with the Broadway cast of "The Wedding Singer".
  • Growing Up With Loukoumi (2007) [Nk Pubns] Provided the voice of Gus the Bear, for the children's CD from the book by Nick Katsoris, encouraging children to realize their dreams.
  • Constantine (2007) [6th Place Records] Constantine's first solo endeavor; Debuted at #75 on the Billboard Chart and #9 on Top Independent Albums. It sold just under 9,000 copies in its first week of release.
  • Edy's Slow-Churned Hot Tracks (2008) Contributed track "Several Thousand," from his solo CD.
  • Loukoumi's Good Deeds (2009) [Dream Day Press/Nk Pubns] Providing the voice of Gus the Bear in this sequel to Growing Up With Loukoumi.

References

  1. ↑ All Media Guide, LLC, Athan Maroulis, http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/maroulis_athan/bio.jhtml, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kukowski, Anna, Interview with Constantine Maroulis of RENT, http://www.thecowl.com/media/paper493/news/2003/10/30/ArtsEntertainment/Interview.With.Constantine.Maroulis.Of.Rent-544518.shtml/, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  3. ↑ "Constantine Maroulis:Biography". Tv.com. http://www.tv.com/constantine-maroulis/person/354642/biography.html. Retrieved on 27 May 2008. 
  4. ↑ Tv.com
  5. ↑ Coutros, Evonne. " Starting 'Idol' on high note", The Record (Bergen County), February 27, 2005, accessed April 15, 2007. "Maroulis, a graduate of Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, is one of 20 remaining contestants on the popular television show "American Idol," which boasts ratings through the roof and a loyal audience."
  6. ↑ Columbia Gorge School of Theatre, Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre, http://www.cgst.com/rep.htm, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  7. ↑ Elimidate, Moment of the Week, http://elimidate.warnerbros.com/video/quicktime3.html?=clipweek25b, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  8. ↑ Williamstown Theatre Foundation Inc, God of Vengeance, http://www.wtfestival.org/performances/detail.php?PerformanceID=160, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Ashman, Angela, This Is Constantine Maroulis. He Wishes You Knew That., http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0640,ashman,74626,6.html, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  10. ↑ KOCH Records, About Pray For The Soul Of Betty, http://www.kochentertainment.com/prayforthesoulofbetty.htm, retrieved on 22 May 2007 
  11. ↑ "American Idol Alum Constantine Breaks with Band". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1175515,00.html?cid=redirect-articles/. Retrieved on 21 March 2006. 
  12. ↑ The Phoenix Media, Hard to beat, http://www.portlandphoenix.com/archive/music/01/12/28/beat_BEST.html, retrieved on 24 May 2007 
  13. ↑ Creasey, Beverly, Joyful "Jesus Christ Superstar", http://www.theatermirror.com/jcstlbev.htm, retrieved on 24 May 2007 
  14. ↑ : RockMyMonkey.com-P.O. Box 828 Olympia, WA 98507 (360)789-0703
  15. ↑ BroadwayWorld News Desk. "”Constantine Maroulis Releases Solo Album, August 7 "". BroadwayWorld. http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19158. Retrieved on 11 June 2007. 
  16. ↑ BroadwayWorld News Desk. "”Constantine Maroulis to Appear on FOX's 'Don't Forget the Lyrics' Tonight"". BroadwayWorld. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Constantine_Maroulis_to_Appear_on_FOXs_Dont_Forget_the_Lyrics_Tonight_20081024. Retrieved on 24 October 2008. 
  17. ↑ Simonson, Robert. "”Constantine Maroulis Confirmed for Broadway's Wedding Singer"". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/101601.html. Retrieved on 23 August 2007. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Weinstein, Farrah. "”SOAPY IDOL: CONSTANTINE FEELS 'BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL'"". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/05132007/tv/soapy_idol_tv_farrah_weinstein.htm. Retrieved on 13 May 2007. 
  19. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "”Jacques Brel Revival Welcomes Maroulis and Paterson Jan. 9"". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104721.html. Retrieved on 9 January 2007. 
  20. ↑ Wang, Cynthia. "”Constantine Joins The Bold and the Beautiful"". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/package/americanidol2007/article/0,,20007868_20037359,00.html. Retrieved on 1 May 2007. 
  21. ↑ Press Release. "”Fox Reality Channel Brings the Excitement of American Idol From the Stage to Your Living Room"". Business Wire 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS151385+05-Feb-2008+BW20080205. Retrieved on 5 February 2008. 
  22. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "”Wedding Singer's Maroulis to Star in Jesus Christ Superstar"". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118363.html. Retrieved on 4 June 2008. 
  23. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Idol Finalist Maroulis to Star in Off-Broadway's "Rock of Ages"". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120146.html. Retrieved on 5 August 2008. 
  24. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher R.. "Poison, Hair and an “American Idol”: “Rock of Ages” Musical Hits NYC". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/10/15/poison-hair-and-an-american-idol-rock-of-ages-musical-hits-nyc. Retrieved on 15 October 2008. 
  25. ↑ Farrar, Jennifer. "'Rock of Ages' salutes the songs of the late '80s". Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-uocoYG81xfPEljRTR1-yo4FiVgD93RSL9O2. Retrieved on 16 October 2008. 
  26. ↑ Zielinski, Peter James. "ROCK OF AGES Gets 'Creamed' at Serendipity 3!". BroadwayWorld. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Rock_of_Ages_Celebrates_the_I_Wanna_Rock_Root_Beer_Float_at_Serendipity_20000101. Retrieved on 7 November 2008. 
  27. ↑ Broadway.com staff. "Headlines: Off-Broadway's Rock of Ages Headed to the Big Screen". Broadway.com. http://www.broadway.com/Off-Broadway-s-Rock-of-Ages-Headed-to-the-Big-Screen/broadway_news/5017245. Retrieved on 9 December 2008. 
  28. ↑ Broadway.com staff. "Rock of Ages Sets Dates for Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre". Broadway.com. http://www.broadway.com/Rock-of-Ages-Sets-DAtes-for-Broadway-s-Brooks-Atkinson-Theatre/broadway_news/5018013. Retrieved on 18 December 2008. 
  29. ↑ Yiannias, Vicki J.. "”Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund: Looking to a Bright Greek American Future"". GreekNews. http://www.greeknewsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6904. Retrieved on 28 May 2007. 
  30. ↑ New York City Comptroller. "”THOMPSON HONORS FIVE NEW YORKERS AT SIXTH ANNUAL GREEK HERITAGE AND CULTURE CELEBRATION"". press release. http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2007_releases/pr07-03-035.shtm. Retrieved on 23 March 2007. 
  31. ↑ US Weekly Staff.. "Constantine and Debbie Gibson Spotted Holding Hands: "We're Close And It's Cool"". US Weekly magazine. http://www.usmagazine.com/constantine_and_debbie. Retrieved on 29 October 2007. 

External links

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American Idol season 4
Persondata
NAME Maroulis, Constantine James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Constantine
SHORT DESCRIPTION American singer
DATE OF BIRTH September 17 1975
PLACE OF BIRTH Brooklyn, New York, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from "http://www.tv-gossip.com/wiki/Constantine_Maroulis"
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