lawsuits

Phillip Phillips Sued, and Not for Having the Same Name Twice

63rd Annual BMI Pop Awards
Phillip Phillips. Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images

American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips is being sued by the production company behind the long-running talent series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 19 Entertainment, which recently filed for bankruptcy, says Phillips owes them millions of dollars thanks to his refusal to abide by the contract he signed during his time on the show. The singer-songwriter launched a legal battle to get out of that “oppressive” contract back in 2015, arguing it violated California’s Talent Agencies Act, but 19’s bankruptcy halted that lawsuit. Now, as part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the company says Phillips has been hoarding up to $1 million that rightly belongs to 19, and owes even more money in damages for breaching his contract — over $5 million, in fact. When you fight the system, the system fights back.

Phillip Phillips Sued by American Idol Company