Phillip Phillips is laying down the lawsuit!
No, he isn’t suing his parents for sticking him with that repetitive moniker!
The winner of American Idol season 11 is suing the producers of the show!
[ Related: American Idol Top 10 Rounds Are Changing To One Night Only! ]
Phillip lodged a petition to sever all ties with 19 Entertainment, who he says have been forcing his career in directions he doesn’t like.
He alleges that he is forced to perform for Idol sponsors and lacks creative control to the point he didn’t even learn his album’s title until it was publicly announced.
In a statement, Phillip recognized that this may seem like biting the hand that feeds. He said:
“I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol. 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.”
So if Phillip signed his contracts before winning the show, like all past winners, how does he legally expect to be freed?
According to California’s Talent Agencies Act, only licensed talent agents are legally allowed to procure jobs for clients.
But Phillip is claiming that 19 Entertainment’s practice of setting up his gigs — including Late Show With David Letterman, Ellen, and the NBA All-Star Game — constitutes a violation of the TAA.
If the law comes down on his side, this could have legal ramifications not just for other Idol winners but for other reality competitions shows as well.
We’ll have to see whether the alifornia Labor Commissioner thinks Phillip’s claim holds water.
[Image via Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/WENN.]
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