1. Matthew Scott "Matt" Giraud was born on May 11,1985 and is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and the fifth place finalist of the eighth season of the reality television series American Idol.
20 Facts About Matt Giraud
1. 2.
Matt Giraud was the first recipient of the "judge' save", wherein the judges veto a contestant's elimination.
3.
Matt Giraud started as a drummer, playing and singing in church in Ypsilanti.
4.
Matt Giraud played at clubs in Kalamazoo, where he graduated from Western Michigan University.
5.
Matt Giraud auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky.
6.
Matt Giraud was considered a judges' favorite in Hollywood, with Randy Jackson naming him among his "top 5" early favorites.
7.
Matt Giraud did not make the finals initially, but was brought back for the Wild Card show.
8.
Matt Giraud was the first and only recipient of the new judges' save for his season on April 15,2009.
9.
The next week Matt Giraud received poor reviews from Jackson and DioGuardi.
10.
However, for the first time in American Idol history, the judges' save was invoked and Matt Giraud was spared elimination when the judges utilized Season 8's new twist.
11.
On that night, Matt Giraud performed "Stayin' Alive" and received mixed reviews.
12.
Matt Giraud was eliminated on April 29,2009 and finished in fifth place.
13.
In interviews after his elimination, Matt Giraud says that he believed the "'Idol' judges' save wasn't a waste".
14.
On May 25,2009, during a Larry King Live special featuring the Idol contestants who had finished in the top 10 that season, Matt Giraud was named the "class clown" and the biggest flirt in the group.
15.
On March 11,2010, on the American Idol "Results Show", Matt Giraud performed "Tell Her About It" by Billy Joel with Scott MacIntyre.
16.
Matt Giraud released an album called Perspective in 2003 and another in 2006 called Mind, Body and Soul.
17.
On March 11,2010, on the American Idol "Results Show", Matt Giraud performed "Tell Her About It" by Billy Joel with Scott MacIntyre.
18.
Matt Giraud recorded a cover of the song "You Don't Know Me" with Anna Wilson.
19.
Matt Giraud performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for the release of Anna Wilson's Countrypolitan Duets.
20.
Matt Giraud is a Christian, and attends Gracespring Bible Church.