Constantine James Maroulis was born on September 17, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York. He is of Greek descent and was raised under the Greek Orthodox Religion. At the age of 5, his family moved to Wyckoff, New Jersey, and this is where his interest in music began to develop. He attended Eisenhower Middle School, where he learned to play the trumpet at the age of 11. While a student of Rampao High School, he participated in bands like Lady Rain and Milkbone and after graduating in 1993, went on to study at the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music, where he graduated with a degree in Musical Theater. Constantine also attended the Berklee College of Music, where he received a minor in Voice. Before he auditioned for season 4 of American Idol, he was busy singing lead for the rock band, Pray for the Soul of Betty, and appearing in a touring production of Rent.

Constantine made his way to Washington DC in 2004 in order to audition for season 4 of American Idol. His brooding good looks, charismatic smile and obvious talent was enough to secure him not only the golden ticket to Hollywood but also a spot on the Top 12. He commanded attention on stage with his renditions of "You've Made Me So Very Happy," "I Think I Love You," "I Can't Make You Love Me," "My Funny Valentine, "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Nights on Broadway." On the seventh week of the finals, Constantine delineated from his usual style and decided to go with the Nickelback song "How You Remind Me." The judges did not like his performance, with Simon advising Constantine to go back to his crooner self. Unfortunately, Constantine was not able to put the judge's advice into effect as he was voted off the following day, becoming the seventh finalist to leave the show.

Constantine has since then shifted his focus on launching his solo music and acting careers. He has gone across the globe, doing live shows in Manila, Philippines, and back, touring 13 cities in the Northeast in 2006. He was supposed to work with ABC on a sitcom called Brooklyn, but the network eventually decided not to pick it up. On stage, Constantine has been more successful, having landed roles in the musical version of The Wedding Singer and in the revue Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

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