Phillip Phillips is the new American Idol, after winning the reality show competition, However, after his victory he was rushed to the hospital with kidney pains. INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.
American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips is headed for emergency surgery to have reconstructive surgery on his kidney after battling nearly unbearable pain related to kidney stones throughout the entire competition.
He called in to Live with Kelly on Thursday to explain why he won't be appearing on her show next week. He said, "I've been sick this whole show, so I'm just trying to recover."
The humble singer beat out 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez.
The former pawn shop worker from Georgia still couldn't believe he's the fifth male singer in a row to win the competition.
Phillips said, "I didn't even think I would make it to see the judges. I have no shame in saying I'm not a great singer."
Runner-up, Sanchez wowed the crowd with a Whitney Houston classic, "I Will Always Love You," and she got to live out one of her dreams singing a duet with her idol, original Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday.
Some of music's greatest superstars, including two Idol judges, took to the stage. J-Lo stripped down to a Versace bra and shimmery pants for her sexy performance and Aerosmith debuted their first new song in six years. Rihanna also rocked the Idol finale, sporting dreadlocks and a black fringed bra top.
Idol alums Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo also made an appearance - not to sing - but to get engaged.
Despite all the excitement, the finale was the lowest-rated ever, down 24% from last year with a still huge 20.7 million viewers tuning in. None of that's not dampening the sheer joy being felt by Phillip Phillips, the new American Idol.
