
It has been quite a journey for American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips. After winning in May 2012, he went from his parent’s pawn shop to having a platinum hit with “Home,” which also happened to be the official song of the US women’s gymnastic’s team during the London Games.
That’s a lot to take in in a short amount of time.
His debut album The World from the Side of the Moon was released on Nov. 19. In this exclusive video, Phillips talks about his journey: “Having this all happen in such a short amount of time is just a blessing because I love music so much. It’s very therapeutic for me and I’m sure it is for so many other people. To be able to do that, to say I do this for a living, is just amazing,” he said.
In the midst of travelling and meeting so many new people, he has managed to stay grounded, remembering those moments at the beginning of his career: “I remember playing gigs and there’d be like five or ten people there,” he said. “I remember those small gigs when nobody was really listening. Now everybody’s just so into it when I go out to play and it’s an amazing feeling.”
For someone who used to play for free food, American Idol winner Phillip Phillips has sure come along way.
“One night we were gonna play at a restaurant and gonna get paid but then it started snowing and no one else came to the show. It was just me my brother-in-law and I think my girlfriend. We cancelled the gig but it gave us free food and then we started playing for free food,” he said. “You just do what you gotta do to get out there.”
The Georgia singer was crowned Idol of the eleventh season of the show in May of 2012 and since then found success with his coronation song “Home,” which is on his debut album The World From The Side of the Moon.” It became the best selling of all the coronation songs.
Although it has been a whirlwind since then, Phillip’s prefers to stay at home. In our new episode of Small Talk the singer talked about being a homebody at heart and writing embarrassing teenage love ballads.
Watch it here

In the world of celebrity news, there’s no shortage of hits and misses. This week, Justin Timberlake is going back to music and Kristen Wiig leaves SNL.
HIT: Phillip Phillips is the winner of American Idol!
After a record number of votes, Phillip Phillips WON American Idol! Not too shabby. We’re excited to hear his track “Home” on the radio — it’s got a little bit of Mumford in there, doesn’t it? And I know, Jessica Sanchez was way cool but it doesn’t even matter if you win these days. I mean, look an Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert.
MISS: Zac Efron got himself a pornstache

It’s been a slow news week and I’m tired of acknowledging Courtney Stodden’s existence, okay? What is this? My first whiskers? I know he’s just trying to show us how manly he is nowadays (condom dropping, bra unhooking, etc) and I’m fine with that. Everyone has to grow up. The mustache, though, is scraggly, patchy and reminds me of sad, prepubescent attempts at facial hair during Movember. Just go back to the scruff and all will be well.
HIT: Fun. covers Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”
From the Havard baseball team to Katy Perry, it seems like everyone’s covering the guilty pleasure of the year “Call Me Maybe.” The band Fun.’s acoustic version is addictive and well, fun. They’re also becoming some sort of cover band because we’ve already heard them perform “Somebody That I Used To Know.” If you need me, I’ll be dancing on the streets shamelessly while listening to both of them. Please feel free to join me.
MISS: John Mayer used 50 Shades of Grey to woo a special lady Read more…
