Justin Guarini is shining a spotlight on one of his darkest chapters.

In his new book Center Stage Confidence, the American Idol alum—who came in as Kelly Clarkson’s runner-up on the singing competition show’s debut season in 2002—shared insight into the lowest moment of his career, saying his success plummeted after he was dropped by his record label RCA in 2003.

“I stared at the TV in shock as my entire world came crumbling down around my ears,” Guarini, who said he learned the news during a Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live, wrote in his book, per Fox News Digital. “Every illusion of fame, fortune, and glory fell away in an instant—only to be replaced by the silence of loss.”

He continued, “In that moment, the veil of my arrogance, my assumptions, and my entitlement were lifted away, and I saw my life for what it had become.”

Following his run on American Idol, Guarini released his self-titled debut album in 2003, which landed in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 charts, and starred in a romantic comedy with Clarkson called From Justin to Kelly.