Despite a scandal that almost cost her the crown due to some sexy modeling shots, Giraud was cleared by Donald Trump to compete in the Miss Universe 1998 pageant in Hawaii where she was a crowd favorite and finished as 2nd runner-up behind Veruska Ramírez of Venezuela and winner Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago. Later that year, she wrote a book called "Joyce, Dreams and Realities", based on her experiences in the Miss Universe pageant.

In 2000, Giraud became the only undefeated model to win every episode of Star Search aka Destination Stardom in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After winning the Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Giraud discovered her love of acting when Director Vicente Castro cast her as the lead in his Coralito Tiene Dos Maridos, a remake of Sonia Braga's Dona Flor y Sus Dos Maridos. She received such great reviews that she found another passion in life. After doing many small roles in her native Puerto Rico, Giraud moved to Miami, Florida where she continued a successful modeling career. In 2001, after being the undefeated model of Star Search, she decided to take the leap toward Los Angeles where she has received parts in numerous films and TV shows.

In film, Giraud has had roles in David Fincher's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Dude, Where's My Car?, Miss Castaway, and Slayer. She has starred in TV shows like Baywatch, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Heist and Joey. Starting in 2007 she starred in the first two seasons of Tyler Perry's House of Payne as "Angel," and in 2013 she was a lead in NBC's Siberia. In 2013 she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the fourth season. During her run on the show she was awarded with the "Loveliest Locks" award at Bravo (U.S. TV network)'s Real Housewives Awards.

Giraud is married to Producer Michael Ohoven. They have two children, Leonardo Alexander Michael Mario Benjamin Giraud de Ohoven(2010) and Michael Valentino Mario Arthur Benjamin Giraud de Ohoven. (5 February 2011).

As a Producer, Giraud executive produced the film Shadow People, as well as the TV show Siberia, and is credited as co-producer on the upcoming film Back Roads, based on the bestselling novel. In 2012, Giraud created the annual international beauty pageant Queen of the Universe, benefiting the programs of the UNESCO Foundation for Children in Need. Since then she has produced and directed the annual event. In 2014, Giraud opened a school in Senegal, Africa with the YOU Foundation for Children in Need.

In 2014 she co-created the Spanish-language reality show Rica, Famosa, Latina and also serves as its executive Producer. In 2015 she also created its companion talk show Rica la Noche, serving as both its host and executive Producer.