Phillip Phillips, the winner of American Idol season 11, has lodged a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner claiming that the show’s co-producers, 19 Entertainment, have “manipulated” him.
He alleges his management contract with 19 violated the state’s Talent Agencies Act, Deadline reports.
In the filing, Phillips says the company manipulated him into accepting jobs that were for the benefit of 19 and its affiliates. He said he had to perform “without compensation in a live show promoting the company JetBlue on Feb., 18, 2013.”
The Gone, Gone, Gone singer also alleges that 19 repeatedly withheld important career information from him, claiming that the title of his latest album was decided without his input and was announced to the press without him knowing about it.
19 Entertainment denies the allegations.
[Deadline]
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com