Since getting the chance to live out his dream and perform with Michael Bublé on the American Idol stage, Christian Guardino says he and the “Feeling Good” singer formed a supportive friendship and have even stayed in contact.
“He’s a really great person, he really is,” Guardino told Music Mayhem.
On May 8, the Idol contestant was shown a video of Bublé inviting him to sing a duet together. This call was aired on the show after Guardino finished singing a cover of Justin Bieber’s song, “Lonely.” Although he did not make it into the top 5 on Idol, Guardino was more than looking forward to return to the show and perform with Bublé for the finale.
They shared the stage on the final night of Season 20 for a performance of “Smile,” a track co-written by Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons and John Turner that appears on Bublé’s eleventh studio album, Higher. The song, which also appears on Bublé’s 2005 live album, Caught In The Act, was first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1954 and is based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 film, Modern Times.
While chatting with Music Mayhem, Guardino stressed how “cool” and “genuine” Bublé was during their interactions on and off camera. This performance and the kindness he received from Bublé was something that Guardino will never forget.
“He’s one of the most genuine people I think I could have met throughout this journey. It was so cool to be able to sing with him. My gosh, honestly, I’m still coping with all of it right now. I don’t think that in my mind I’ve processed the fact that I shared a stage with Michael Buble.”
Guardino revealed that the two artists exchanged numbers and have kept in touch since the show ended. They continue to motivate each other to be the best versions of themselves.
“We talk and I text him and he texts me and he’s just such a genuine hearted person. I couldn’t even believe half the things he was saying about me and just complimenting me. I’m like, ‘dude, you understand your Michael Bublé and you’re saying this about me? Like, you understand this is nuts?’”
Bublé has been a staple in Guardino’s music catalog since he was a child and his admiration for his duet partner has only grown since that time.
“I was so excited,” he gushed. “I mean, I’ve been listening to Michael Bublé since fifth grade, since he dropped ‘Haven’t Met You Yet.’ I’ve been a fan of the guy ever since. He had that cool, crooner style, but there’s something different about his voice. He had this clearness to his voice that he just projects. He’s incredible, so getting to perform with him was…honestly, I couldn’t begin to comprehend it. It was just a dream come true.”
Watch Michael surprise @christiangsoul with an invitation to sing with him at this season’s @AmericanIdol finale! pic.twitter.com/LhoSha66Be
— Michael Bublé (@MichaelBuble) May 10, 2022
The video invitation that appeared on the Idol stage wasn’t the first time Guardino heard from Bublé. During the Disney round, the 21-year-old singer from Long Island received an unexpected surprise after giving professional dancer Derek Hough, a taste of his upcoming performance.
“Derek, that day he called Michael and was like, ‘yo, he’s gotta hear this.’ I was like, ‘what? Who are you calling right now?What’s going on?’ This was when we were filming one of the packages before I did my “Circle of Life” performance and he called Michael Bublé. I just remember freaking out. I could not contain myself, I was truly starstruck, but it was so exciting.”
“That wasn’t even supposed to happen,” he added.
The advice that the young artist received from the experienced Mr. Bublé has encouraged him to continue pursuing his music career in the way that he wants to.
“He told me just to always be comfortable and perform the way that you’re comfortable performing,” he shared. “Don’t let anybody tell you how to be comfortable performing, tell them how you’re comfortable performing and how you’re comfortable within in-ears and banded levels and everything like that.”
Guardino has new music on the horizon as well as his first headlining show, which will take place November 4 in his hometown, Patchogue, New York.
