Constantine Maroulis Welcomes Baby Girl

Yesterday at 11:06 p.m., Constantine Maroulis and Angel Reed welcomed their first child, Malena James.

The happy couple is thrilled about their new arrival. As Maroulis told People Magazine, "Sometimes Christmas comes early and we're so lucky to get the greatest gift a few days early."

Maroulis is looking forward to his role as a father and to the road ahead. As he explains, "I'm just living every day right now, trying to do good work and provide for family long term."

Maroulis and Reed met last year while starring in Broadway's Rock of Ages. He is currently reprising his Tony-nominated role as wannabe rocker Drew in the Rock of Ages national tour.

Constantine Maroulis, 35, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He was born in a Greek-American family and was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith. He first shot to fame on the fourth season of "American Idol." His rocker looks, stage presence, and smoldering charisma won him many fans until he was shockingly eliminated on Top 6 week. Who could forget the sight of crestfallen Paula Abdul comforting Maroulis' mother in the audience?

Although Constantine was known as a rocker during his run on American Idol, he really seems to have found his calling on Broadway. According to one New York Times writer, Maroulis possessed a "soulful, pure and intense voice that negotiates the mountains of melisma and cuts through the electricity with ease."

The acting component also comes easily to Maroulis. He graduated from Boston Conservatory in 2002, where he received classical training in acting as well as singing. As he told The Cowl, "It's definitely a learning experience. You're so exposed in acting-it's so dangerous, it's so sexy."

Constantine Maroulis is not the only American Idol alum to have found success on Broadway. Examples include Diana DeGarmo, who performed in Hairspray, Brooklyn: The Musical and Off-Broadway's The Toxic Avenger; Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple; Taylor Hicks and Ace Young in a revival of Grease; Frenchie Davis in Rent; and Clay Aiken in Spamalot. I also had the pleasure of seeing Anthony Fedorov star in Joseph and theAmazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

It's wonderful to see this new development in Constantine Maroulis' life. I'm sure he'll make a loving father to his new baby girl!

Sources:

Constantine Maroulis Is a Father!, People Magazine

Big-Hair Rockers Return in a New Arena: Broadway , New York Times

American Idols on Broadway - Who's Hit the Great White Way?, AOL Television

Interview with Constantine Maroulis of RENT, The Cowl