Life on the road is good for the "American Idol" runners-up.

They're holding hands, shopping together, rooting for each other and basking in the afterglow of the Fox television network's summer hit.

Apparently, there was more rivalry among the judges than the 10 finalists, who are currently on a concert tour that stops at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on Wednesday.

"We're all very close. We each have our moment on stage," says curly-topped Justin Guarini, who has no regrets about coming in second to "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.

"American Idol," a cross between "Star Search" and the world's biggest karaoke contest, became a pop cultural phenomenon this summer, making celebrities out of the fledgling singers.

Squealing fans - of all ages - have been greeting them at sold-out shows.

Speaking over a cell phone from a private bus in San Diego, where the troupe was on a shopping spree prior to opening the tour Oct. 8, Guarini praised Clarkson's winning performance.

Also calling in from San Diego was Tamyra Gray, a strong contender for the top prize.

Both said "everything happens for a reason" and both praised Clarkson, a former waitress from Texas whose single, "A Moment Like This," is No. 2 on the charts.

"She had an amazing performance and deserved to win," says Gray.

Guarini says the finalists (including Nikki McKibbin, RJ Helton, Christina Christian, Ryan Star, A.J. Gil, EJay Day and Jim Verraros) have become even closer because "the pressure to compete is gone and there no longer is a fear of losing one of us each week."

To hear Guarini and Gray talk, there hasn't been this much peace, love and understanding since the original "Hair" went on tour.

Like 20-year-old Clarkson, Guarini, 23, and Gray, 22, have signed recording contracts. Gray inked a development deal with a company owned by "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller within a week of being voted off the show (she finished in fourth place).

Gray also has landed a role on Fox's high school drama, "Boston Public." She doesn't know whether she'll be a student or a teacher because filming doesn't begin until January.

More than 10,000 young singers auditioned for the chance to be among the handful that competed in weekly elimination rounds on "American Idol."

They faced praise and criticism from judges: snippy record producer Simon Cowell, fawning singer-dancer Paula Abdul and let-them-down-easy producer Randy Johnson.

The judges, a popular element of the TV show, are not part of the tour. The concert features music from the "American Idol: Greatest Moments" CD, a compilation disc of songs from the series.

It's mostly mellow and familiar: Clarkson does "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" and "Respect," which were hits for Aretha Franklin; Guarini does "For Once in My Life," a hit for Stevie Wonder; Gil reprises Wonder's "My Cherie Amour"; and Christian sings Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." The whole group wails "California Dreamin'," a 1960s hit for The Mamas and the Papas.

The '60s tunes and Motown sound appeal to an older generation, so Guarini and Gray say they're more than ready to release their own songs.

But they've had to wait in line behind Clarkson, who has released two singles.

Both say their lives have changed for the better.

"I have to keep thanking all the fans who have made my dreams come true," says Guarini, the youngest of eight children. Born in Atlanta, he joined the Atlanta Boys Choir when he was 4 years old. Guarini spent most of his youth in Doylestown, Pa., with his mother and stepfather.

He's not sure where his career is headed after the tour and the release of his CD. "Broadway, films, television and singing, I want to try it all," he says. "But I have no plan. I just take one day at a time." And don't worry, ladies. Guarini says he plans on keeping the bushy hairstyle that has become his trademark.

Gray, from Tacoma Park, Md., was struggling to launch a performing career when "Idol" gave her a big break.

"I had done some theater, worked with a dance company, tried commercials and taught pre-kindergarten classes," she says. "I had so many doors slammed in my face and so many people telling me, 'No.' But this was an incredible experience. I learned so much about performing and how to trust myself. No matter what happens, this has been a great stepping stone."