American Idol finalist Matt Giraud might bear an uncanny resemblance to Justin Timberlake, but last night’s performance of Michael Jackson’s ”Human Nature” channeled another late-’90s pop star: Taylor Hanson. If you haven’t listened to Hanson since ”MMMBop” you might be taken aback by the comparison, but if you’ve heard the JoBros predecessors live any time in the past five years, you know it’s totally apt: the perch behind the piano, the growly edge to his soulful voice, the riffing at the end of each line, and even the phrasing. Plus, they both know how to rock a scarf.
Check out Matt’s performance below, then YouTube any number of live Hanson clips and judge for yourself. Are you with me, PopWatchers? Or do you think Randy’s JT/Robin Thicke comparison is more accurate?
addCredit(“Hanson: Sasha Haagensen/Getty Images; Idol: Ray Mickshaw/Fox”)
He may sound like Taylor Hanson, but he talks like Joey McIntyre.
This may make me hate Matt Giraud, as he is NOOOO Taylor Hanson. Kinda how I am not liking Alexis ever since people started making Kelly Clarkson comparisons. In both cases, I see the point stylistically, but in both cases, the AI contestant has no where NEAR the natural quality of voice of the person they are being compared to.
A Hanson fan myself, I didn’t make the Taylor-Matt connection until I saw this post… I see your point and it’s a valid one – good catch! But Matt needs to start doing some seriously spastic left-leg moves to really get into Taylor’s arena, though.
He looks like Michael Buble
That is an insult to Taylor Hanson. Matt Giraud is awful.
he has a nice breezy/smoky voice like JT but a bit heavier….i kinda see the Robin T comparison, but only in style. I thought randy’s assertion of Kris Allen looking/sounding like Jason Mraz was more spot on
He might dress somewhat like justin timberlake and Robin Thicke but he looks like neither and sorry Matt but he’s diffinitely not in the same league as either Justin or Robin vocally.
Whoever he looks like, he still $uck$…
Uncanny? Way to insult Taylor.
Yes, Joy, he does look like Michael Buble. I’ve been thinking that since we first saw him!
I think he looks like Matthew Lillard. Don’t know who he sounds like.
totally agree with the way he performs and personality as a hanson thing. appearance ill give him michael buble. but voice wise and style totally robin thicke if anything and def. not JT at all
He’s nowhere near as talented as Taylor Hanson. Matt G wishes he could be that good.
I just have a question for all of you saying that Matt G is horrible…Why don’t I see any of your names in the top 13 ???? hummmmmm !!!!!!! Unless you all have something better to say about people that are at least trying to do something with their lives.
I can’t believe no one is commenting on the fact that American Idol, a family show, were willing to showcase a man who has been arrrested for having sex with minors. It is truly beyond my belief there aren’t thousands of people outraged about this!