"American Idol" contender Constantine Maroulis smiles for the cameras, but still mourns a cousin killed in the World Trade Center attacks.

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The New York native is a co-favorite in the latest "American Idol" competition with Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood.

When asked about his heroes in an online FOX forum, Maroulis cited a cousin with the same first name and nickname -- Constantine "Gus" Economos, the New York Daily news reported.

Economos, a partner in New York financial firm Sandler O'Neill & Partners, was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"We're a very tight-knit community, and everyone in the family was devastated when Gus died," a family source told new magazine "Inside TV." "He was a wonderful person, and we all love him and miss him deeply."