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12/23/2024 06:04:28 am

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Phillip Phillips Seeks Break From 'Oppressive' 'American Idol' Producer

Season 11 American Idol champ Phillip Phillips filed a petition with the California Labor Commissioner, requesting that his contract with 19 Entertainment, the show's production company be declared illegal, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news.

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According to the petition, 19 Entertainment was alleged to have "manipulated" him to perform for free at a concert organized by one of Idol's sponsors.

The singer filed a "petition to determine controversy" last week, a legal document that could be instrumental in helping him break free from the contract.

Phillips is seeking for a ruling that would declare that the company has violated a California law, which limits an organization from securing gigs for its contract artist.

According to Phillip's, the contracts were "oppressive [and] fatally conflicted."

According to the Talent Agencies Act, only licensed talent agents are allowed to secure work for their talents.

It is alleged that 19 Entertainment arranged for Phillips to appear at the NBA All-Star Game as well as on a World Series game. While this is good for his career, Phillip's party claimed that his is also illegal.

Phillips also claimed that he performed at promotional gig for JetBlue for free in an attempt to woe the company to sponsor Idol's 2013 tour.  Phillips also asserted that 19 organized a concert for an insurance company, classifying it as an "endorsement deal" to boost 19's royalty earnings.

In a statement, Phillips was thankful for the opportunity that 19 Entertainment provided him, although he believed that he is no longer comfortable in the way the company handles his career.

"I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol," Phillips told The Hollywood Reporter.

 "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," he continued.

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