Phillip Phillips, a former "American Idol" champion, is now suing the show's producer to get out of his contract which his attorney calls "oppressive."
Phillips, 24, walked away with the "American Idol" crown in Season 11 of the nationally-televised singing competition,
according to People magazine. The entertainer claims now that 19 Entertainment, the show's producer, "manipulated" him over the past few years,
reported ABC News.
"I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol," Phillips told ABC News in a statement. "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."
Phillips went to the California Labor Commission on Jan. 22 to file a petition charging that 19 Entertainment and "affiliated companies" worked against him since winning the competition,
according to The Hollywood Reporter.
At the heart of the petition is the Talent Agencies Act, the California law that states that only licensed talent agents can procure employment for clients. In his claim with the labor commission, Phillips wants the act applied to his situation in dealing with 19 Entertainment.
He charged that 19 Entertainment was not his agent when it booked such gigs as appearances on the "Ellen," "The View," and appearances at the NBA All-Star Game, noted THR. He argued while those appearances were helpful to his career, others like performing for JetBlue in 2013 where he was not compensated did nothing for his career.
A spokesman for 19 Entertainment told THR in a statement that the complaint is groundless.
''We're very proud of everything we've accomplished together with Phillip, working closely to help nurture his extraordinary talent and advance his career," a 19 Entertainment spokesman said. "We have always acted in the best interest of Phillip. We will vigorously defend ourselves from any baseless claims to the contrary and from any attempt to interfere with our rights and relationships."
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