who is Matt Giraud

Matthew Scott "Matt" Giraud (born May 11, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and the fifth-place finalist of the eighth season of the reality television series American Idol. He is the son of Daniel Giraud and Kami Zoltanski and has a sister, April. He started as a drummer, playing and singing in church in Ypsilanti. Giraud auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky. He was considered a judges' favourite in Hollywood, with Randy Jackson naming him among his "top 5" early favourites. During Hollywood week, he performed "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 as part of a group called "White Chocolate," along with fellow finalist and future season 8 winner Kris Allen. Giraud was also the first and only recipient of the new judges' save for his season on April 15, 2009. Paula Abdul kept her compliments short (due to time constraints), simply saying, "Two words: Standing O." The following week, however, Giraud received poor reviews from Jackson and DioGuardi. However, for the first time in American Idol history, the judges' save was invoked, and Giraud was spared elimination when the judges utilized Season 8's new twist. The consequence for all of the contestants was a double elimination after the second Top 7 night. That night, Giraud performed "Stayin' Alive" and received mixed reviews. He was eliminated on April 29, 2009, and finished fifth place. In interviews after his elimination, Giraud says that he believed the "'Idol' judges' save wasn't waste."