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Rooting For Matt Giraud

Laura Nesbitt/Highlands Today

June Giraud holds up a photograph of her 23-year-old nephew, Matt Giraud, from USA Today. Her nephew is a contestant on American Idol.

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By LAURA NESBITT

Highlands Today

Published: March 24, 2009

AVON PARK - If Matt Giraud keeps getting voted back onto "American Ido"l by his fans, then June Giraud plans to fly out to watch her nephew, one of the show's top 10 finalists, perform.

"I'm just so proud of him," said Giraud, who lives in Avon Park. "To be able to get up and sing in front of people - to have that confidence. It takes a lot to get up there."

Each week on "American Idol," viewers decide which contestants advance and which get booted off.

The singing competition is eventually narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract. Past winners include Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook, who have become household names, according to the show's Web site.

"He was the only one of the contestants the first night who got a standing ovation," said June Giraud. She said her nephew sang "Georgia On My Mind" when he auditioned in Louisville and was picked as a wild card contestant.

Matt Giraud was living in Kalamazoo, Mich., playing piano and singing at a night club, when he auditioned, said his aunt. Matt is the nephew of June Giraud's late husband, Don.

"He's been playing music and singing since he was a little boy," June Giraud remembered. "He was very outgoing."

She said that her nephew got his love of music from other family members.

The last time she saw her nephew, he performed at his sister, April's, graduation from high school about five years ago.

Lately, June Giraud packed her home with friends on Super Bowl Sunday to watch a taped episode of him on the show.

June Giraud raised her children in Milan, Mich.; Matt Giraud was raised in Ypsilanti, Mich. Matt Giraud graduated from college with a communications degree.

CHECK HIM OUT ONLINE: http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_8/m...

FAST FACTS

Favorite male artist: Billy Joel

Favorite female artist: K.T. Tunstall

Favorite quote: "You are your own worst critic."

Hometown: Ypsilanti, Mich. Currently lives in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Style: Soulful

Highlands Today reporter Laura Nesbitt can be reached at (863) 368-5857 or lnesbitt@highlandstoday.com.

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