A Work Ethic Worth Idolizing

He Didn't Steal the Show, but Constantine Maroulis Keeps His Eyes on the Prize

Whatever you do, don't call Constantine Maroulis a rock star.

You remember Maroulis, the sixth-place finisher on the 2005 edition of "American Idol." He has long dark hair, "sizzling hot videos" (according to his MySpace page) and presumably a predominantly female fan base. (Most online stories about him include a photo of a sultry and serious-looking Maroulis, head down, eyes up.) But he claims no rock star status. "I'm just a working performer," he says. "I learned early on, it's about the quality of work and building a career." That's why he's performing Sunday at Iota, part of an eight-date East Coast tour in support of his first album, "Constantine."

After being voted off "Idol," Maroulis has had his hand in various artistic endeavors, not the least of which has been recording his album on his own record label, 6th Place Records. The album, which came out in August, is eclectic, he says, and "not a bad effort for about $30,000. It's a true independent record. I financed it myself, and I feel it's got a lot of heart."

But enough about that. Let's talk "Idol."

What do you think of Taylor Hicks? "I think he's got a much darker side than people realize," Maroulis says.

Katharine McPhee? "Stylish."

Kellie Pickler? "I would say not a good singer."

What about Carrie Underwood, who went on to win his season? "Very improved," he says. Later he adds, "Carrie is probably one of the best singers in the whole world as far as 'Wake up and I can wail anything you put in front of me.' " (Phew, that's better.)

What about himself? "I'm a much better singer than I was on the show," he says. "But that's cool, man."

Before he auditioned for "Idol," he says, he had never seen the show and hardly knew much about it. "A singer out of the womb," Maroulis, 32, graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a bachelor's in musical theater in 2002. He was often cast as the leading man in musicals and plays there.

After graduating, he apprenticed at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. From there, he scored the role of Roger in a touring company of "Rent." Then he was in the hard-rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty, about which he says little other than it "was never really who I was or what I was doing." Then he was on "Idol," which played up the tension in the band; shortly after his stint on "Idol," he quit the group. Then he was on Broadway, then a recurring role as (big stretch here) a rock star and producer named Constantine Parros on the CBS soap "The Bold and the Beautiful," then . . .

"I just work hard," he says. (He is up early on a recent Wednesday -- very un-rock star.) The reality show "painted me as the rocker from New York, and I think it held me back. For me, it's just about the work." He admits it would be great to record a hit song, but unlike the other contestants, he says, "I'm probably the one that's gotten to do a little of everything, from Broadway to tours to hosting some quality stuff."

But he's quick to point out that he's a big fan of the show. After all, he says, "99.9 percent" of his fans are "Idol" fans.

"I've already crossed the line. I can't turn back now. I'm never going to be a Kurt Cobain," Maroulis says. "I worked long before 'American Idol,' and I hope to keep going." The reality of reality television to Maroulis is "once you make the decision to go on a show like 'American Idol,' you have to be prepared to go along with what goes with that."

But, he adds, "there are worse things than being Constantine from 'American Idol.' "

Rock star or not.

Constantine Maroulis Appearing Sunday at Iota, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Show starts at 4. Tickets:$15; available at the door. 703-522-8340. http://www.iotaclubandcafe.com. The Download: For a sampling of Constantine Maroulis's music, check out: ¿ "Girl Like You" ¿ "Favorite T-Shirt" ¿ "Midnight Radio" Constantine Maroulis Appearing Sunday at Iota, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Show starts at 4. Tickets:$15; available at the door. 703-522-8340. http://www.iotaclubandcafe.com. The Download: For a sampling of Constantine Maroulis's music, check out: ¿ "Girl Like You" ¿ "Favorite T-Shirt" ¿ "Midnight Radio"