It doesn't take a super sleuth to uncover the latest Hollywood truth, nor does it take an Einstein to describe the formula of the current television craze. This just in, people: The movie musical is back and American Idol rocks TV screens all over the place. So what happens when you mix those two elements together and stir gently? From Justin to Kelly, a musical romantic comedy starring Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the first American Idol winner and her runner-up.
"I think that Moulin Rouge and Chicago opened up the movie musical doors, and this is a movie musical for the younger audience," writes Kelly in an e-mail.
She's right -- the trailers alone tell you there are no scandalous murders (we're looking at you, Chicago) in her flick, which might make some parents feel more at ease about handing out allowance money for the movie.
"There's a lot of music, dancing, comedy and fun. It's a great family flick for everyone to see," she explains, adding that the music in From Justin to Kelly ranges from hip-hop and ballads to salsa and funk.
She even knows exactly what she wants people to say as they exit screenings of her onscreen outing: "That was cute. I really enjoyed it. I loved the music and how the movie musical thing is coming back."
As Kelly tackles new projects, she moves farther away from American Idol -- she passes on the winner's torch to Ruben Studdard, this year's victor. Does she approve of the person she's handed the Idol crown to?
"The right person is always going to win," she writes, "but it doesn't necessarily mean they're always going to come out on top. In this business, you have to stay driven and secure with yourself to actually be able to stay in the game."
From the looks of it, neither Justin nor Kelly is having any trouble with the "driven" part. Kelly continues to push her album, Thankful, which has already gone platinum, while Justin is promoting his own self-titled CD released last week.
There are no plans to team up together for another film, though. To be honest, that's really not the issue everyone is wondering about, anyway, as far as the whole "teaming up" thing is concerned. Tabloid rumours have whispered the two are more than pals, a story that has been denied . . . repeatedly.
Kelly was asked what she'd like to say to gossipers who refuse to believe the "just friends" line.
"I give up." she says. "No one believes me, regardless of what I say."
Alas, it sounds like there is no true romance in the air. Fans will have to satisfy themselves with onscreen love, preferably set to the sound of music.
