Video: ‘American Idol’ Winner Phillip Phillips Wants Out of His Contract
American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips has apparently had it with 19 Entertainment, the production company that produces Idol winners following their victories.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol,” Phillips said in a statement issued to media outlets. “The value that the fans and the show have given to my career is not lost on me. However, I have not felt that I have been free to conduct my career in a way that I am comfortable with. I look forward to being able to make my own choices about my career and to being able to make great music and play it for my fans.”
In the petition Phillips filed with the California Labor Commission last week, he claims that 19 Entertainment has “manipulated” him since winning Idol and that his contract is “oppressive and fatally flawed,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As we all know, American Idol winners always have to sign their lives away for a certain amount of time. And we also know that a number of Idol alumni escaped the Idol shadow as soon as they were cleared to do so legally. Phillip is the first Idol winner to legally challenge the contract, however. Some people are saying Phillip is biting the hand that feeds him, while others say they know Phillip isn’t making the kind of music he wants to make.
Even after the success of his winning song “Home” from Season 11, Phillips said that wasn’t the kind of music he wanted to make. But his following albums included music just like “Home.” So it sounds to me like 19 Entertainment isn’t misguiding Phillip, but it’s just not the direction he wants. Whether or not he can find success detached from American Idol is unknown. If he wins his case, we’ll all find out.
19 Entertainment released this statement: “We’re very proud of everything we’ve accomplished together with Phillip, working closely to help nurture his extraordinary talent and advance his career. We have always acted in the best interest of Phillip. We will vigorously defend ourselves from any baseless claims to the contrary and from any attempt to interfere with our rights and relationships.”
What do you think about Phillip’s decision to try to break free? Do you think he should honor his contract like the other winners have? Or is it fair for him to ask to be dropped since 19 Entertainment has been known to drop winners from their contracts early (re: Lee DeWyze).
Source: Hollywood Reporter