'American Idol' contestant Philip Phillps needs surgery

for me as a person it is that ills persons choice I am sorry but Idol is a once in a life time thing. If he wants to do it is his call and the media can put many spins on someones health issues.

A lifetime of kidney failure and dialysis that could result from his refusal if he fries his kidneys is not worth a win to me. (Keep in mind that I work on a transplant floor and see sick patients before and after transplant if that's the road they take and a lifetime of immunosuppression).  His decision though. He is an adult. 

 

Plus how many people have lost and gone on to success. Vice versa how  many have won and we never hear from again. 

 

I agree. Whether or not he performs the last week, he will still do very well in the industry.  It has been proven you don't have to win this contest to become a success (look at Chris Daughtry for one).   And why doesn't American Idol decide to hold off the contest until he is better? 

I wasn't aware it was life or death. That must be new info because I've been following it for quite a while and I had heard the last wk or even before that it was more a pain issue. He's had the issue all season and managed to get through it, so I certainly wouldn't quit now just a few days before. He's favored to win, so it would be a big deal to him.

This info has been out for a while. He had a stent put in already this season (a tube that goes between his kidney and his bladder). My youngest brother had one a few years ago and he was in HORRIBLE pain. So I had heard all season that the pain was the issue.

If you've noticed he hasn't done the Ford commercials the other ones do for several weeks now. It hasn't been so noticeable when there were several contestants left, but last wk with only Jessica and Joshua in the commercial it was very obvious. The AI doctors and the producers have excused him from doing those as they require traveling to another location and they thought it was too taxing on him.

It's his choice. Honestly, I think it proves that he has the will to do well in the industry. If he is willing to risk his health for the chance at a launching pad for a career in music (although I think he'd have no problem with a record win or lose), then he probably has the drive to put in the effort necessary for the business. I've liked him from the beginning, and AI did change the show around once for him, they swapped the girls and boys performance days. He either sucks it up or forfeits. With the recovery time of surgery there is NO WAY FOX will delay the results for 6 weeks. They've got lord knows how many millions of dollars of revenue attached to that time slot for commercials and sponsors.

I wonder what kind of talk goes on with the Fox producers.  If he did opt out of the finale, what would they do??  Would they delay the show, or automatically crown Jessica winner by default?  What kind of show would that be, without the contest element?  Hmmm....

Did you watch the finale?  What did you think?  I am a Phillip fan, and I loved his song.  Jessica was also really good, but she just isn't as unique as Phillip.