American Idol Winner Sues AI Management for Oppressive Contr
Phillip Phillips Sues ‘American Idol’ Management For ‘Oppressive Contract’
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American Idol winner Phillip Phillips has filed a legal claim against 19 Entertainment seeking to void his recording, management and merchandizing deals.
Phillip Phillips is American Idol‘s latest “superstar”. He won the show in 2012 and produced a massive hit in “Home” and has sold millions of albums and singles. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time as Idol is trying to rebuild its reputation as a show that makes stars.
Looks like it was a tumultuous three years after all for Phillips and American Idol management 19 Entertainment as both parties are prepared to argue their case in court.
Phillips’ lawyer filed a petition with the CA Labor Commissioner last January 22, 2015, claiming that Phillips was forced to perform for free and was manipulated in doing so.
- Says that 19 Entertainment and its companies "manipulated" him into accepting jobs.
- Thought he is grateful for the opportunities American Idol has given him, he has not been free to do what he wants musically.
-Also said in lawsuit that he was forced to play for free for an American Idol sponsor and didn't know the title of his latest album before it was released publicly.
This won't get him anywhere. You signed contract, you deal with the terms.
Unfortunately, these talent TV shows write horrible contracts that don't really let the artists breathe. I know with the Voice that if you don't WIN the show, you can't even mention that you were on the voice when promoting you're own music unless you manage to wrangle a deal with the show runners to have a couple of songs released... and even then you get a very, very small percentage of the revenue. I mean, releasing a platinum single may yield you about $15,000 - $25,000. It's ridiculous. That's why a lot of these shows aren't producing hit-makers anymore.
