Phillip Phillips wants out of 'American Idol' contract

Singer Phillip Phillips is petitioning to get out of his 19 Entertainment contract -- his prize for winning "American Idol" Season 11 -- because he feels he is being manipulated and held back from success.
The 24-year-old "Home" singer says he's been forced to take jobs that only benefit "American Idol" and its associated companies, and not his own career.
He cites one example in which he says he was forced to play a show for free for a JetBlue ad because it benefited the "American Idol" live tour.
"In response to petitioner's questions about why this deal would make sense, 19 admitted the deal was being entered into in exchange for JetBlue's support for the 2013 American Idol Live Appearance Tour," the petition says. "Since petitioner was not performing on the 2013 Idol Tour, the only conceivable purpose for respondent booking the performance was to help the struggling finances of respondent's Idol Tour."
Phillips said he also wasn't consulted for the naming of one of his albums.
"I am very grateful for the opportunities provided to me through appearing on American Idol," Phillips says. "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."
He petitioned the California Labor Commission to get him out of the contract.
19 Entertainment issued a statement in response to Phillips' petition.