It appears that Phillip Phillips will finally be free from his “oppressive” American Idol contracts.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, one of the show’s primary producers has settled a significant legal dispute with the season 11 winner.
Phillip had previously filed a petition with the California Labor Commissioner claiming that 19 Entertainment and its affiliated companies had “manipulated” him into accepting jobs that were of benefit to the company and its affiliates rather than to him. He also claimed that 19 was breaching fiduciary duties as well as violating a California law that says only licensed talent agents can obtain employment for clients.
19 later declared bankruptcy after FOX’s cancellation of American Idol. In bankruptcy court, the producer filed a $6 million lawsuit against Phillip for allegedly holding onto some of its money and breaching contracts. However, a bankruptcy judge decided to allow the Labor Commissioner to rule whether 19 had violated California’s Talent Agencies Act.
According to THR, “With a determination still pending, and after 19 Entertainment came to a separate deal with FremantleMedia Limited that paved the way for a reboot of American Idol on ABC, a settlement with Phillips was worked out. The parties are expected to file a stipulation in court soon and announce an amicable resolution without details about the agreement.”
Phillip tacitly acknowledged the report in a tweet this morning:
Get ready world! Here comes some new music!
— Phillip Phillips (@Phillips) June 22, 2017
“I’ve actually got this new record done, basically,” Phillip recently told Billboard magazine. “As soon as the legal stuff wraps up I’m going to be releasing some music and keep moving forward. I’m really excited about this new music. Every artist says it’s their best to date on every album, but this is some deep, emotional lyrics and melodies and I just really feel like I’ve grown a lot these past few years. I’ve gone through a few things — some amazing things, some not so amazing. I draw a lot of inspiration from that so I’m really excited about getting it out.”
The singer/songwriter is working with producer Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Foo Fighters) along with Nathan Chapman, John Knight and previous collaborator Todd Clark, with whom he wrote the singles “Gone” and “Raging Fire.” He’s yet to decide on an album name. “I’ve got about 10 of them written down and I’m trying to choose which one I like and still trying to think of others,” Phillip said.
