Matt Giraud Returns Home To Kalamazoo After ‘American Idol’

First Published: May 7, 2009 2:35 PM EDT Credit: Access Hollywood

Caption Matt Giraud takes to the piano on the Access Hollywood set, May 1, 2009

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- “American Idol” castoff Matt Giraud has returned home to a warm welcome in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he will be the guest of honor at a public party.

The event begins Thursday afternoon at Arcadia Creek Festival Place, an outdoor venue in downtown Kalamazoo. His “Idol” contract prohibits Giraud from performing.

Several dozen fans greeted Giraud when he arrived Wednesday evening at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. The 23-year-old singer-pianist says he didn’t expect so many people to be waiting to greet him. He signed autographs and posed for pictures for about 30 minutes.

Giraud was voted off the popular Fox network singing competition last week. He finished in fifth place.

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