This season's American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips, won America's votes and hearts while battling painful kidney stones throughout his run on the hit talent show. Phillip's father told PEOPLE he had EIGHT separate surgeries since the singing competition began.
Here are some of the things his immensely proud and supportive parents had to say:
"He's been doing [well], but it's just grueling hours and it's just amazing what he's done through the journey,"
"Eight operations since we started American Idol ... He's hitting 50 percent, but he's still up there swinging away," said his father, also named Phillip Phillips.
He also said:
"He's got to have reconstructive surgery on his kidney. That's why he has a stint in him. He's had a surgery since he started American Idol already to get through. That's why they put the stint in him [so they] could keep his kidney functioning good. Physically he's in good shape. He said it's painful wearing the stint. That's why you see him moving like an old man. He can't move. I can't wait until he has his surgery and he recovered and ya'll see him 100%."
And here is what is mother had to say about her son:
"That's our baby and we're just so happy that he made it through!"
Phillip will have to undergo a ninth surgery before the Idols Tour but is expected to make a full recover before then.
"The recovery's probably two to four weeks," said Phillip Sr.
"He's healthy, he's good. His kidneys are good. I can't wait for America and the whole world to see him [after his surgery], because he's a big cut-up. He's going to have some fun."
What a trooper! Preforming as well as he did while enduring such a great amount of pain is a huge feat. This kid deserves he win and just imagine how incredible he will be once he is back to normal. Most definitely something to look forward to.
The Idol winner himself had told PEOPLE:
"I'm going to get some surgery done, so I'm going to get all better for the tour. It was very tough [getting through the season]. I had great doctors and great people surrounding me [who] really helped out, so it's just a blessing to be here."
We wish him all the best and are anticipating to see what this talented guy has to offer his fans after Idol.
Get the RSS Feed
