“We’ve had 10 people today that look like they’ve been trained to sing, and you look like you were born to sing,” Bryan gushed of Lee.
Philmon Lee and Luke Bryan; Photo Courtesy of American Idol via ABC
Philmon Lee, a 25-year-old life insurance agent from LaGrange, Georgia, wowed American Idol judges with a powerful audition that reignited his dreams of pursuing music full-time, scored him a golden ticket to Hollywood Week, and earned praise from country superstar Luke Bryan.
Entering the room with a laid-back confidence, Philmon Lee introduced himself to Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, explaining that he currently works in the insurance field but hopes to pursue music full-time, following in the footsteps of his father, who performed in a touring gospel quartet.
“I do insurance now, but that’s not the end goal. I want to sing every single night if I can,” he explained. “I’ve been a musician my whole life. All credit really [goes] to my dad. He toured around with a gospel quartet group, and I was on a tour bus with him ever since I was, like, four years old. It definitely gave me a hunger. Even being a kid, that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
He then revealed that he dropped out of college and signed a record deal with a major label, but then the pandemic struck and it halted his musical plans. “I was able to record a lot, and it looked like it was going to be pretty promising. And then COVID hit. It just kind of plateaued, and I got shelved. I obviously wasn’t making any money. That’s when I picked up insurance,” he continued.
Despite his dreams being crushed, his father, Philmon Sr., and family continued to support him doing what he loves. Lee added, “My family, they were there every step of the way. The nights that I would cry because I’m not singing, I’m not doing music, and I thought I would never have another chance at it. They were definitely there for every single one of those moments. American Idol [is] another chance at doing what I love and getting my foot back in the door. I have a voice, and I want it to be heard.”
Wearing a black shacket over a black shirt, paired with an anchor necklace, blue jeans, and boots, Philmon Lee tackled Michael Bolton’s “When A Man Loves A Woman,” leaving the judges stunned with his powerful vocals. Accompanied only by piano, he effortlessly delivered the iconic song’s soaring lyrics.
Lee’s Idol audition was met with praise from Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, who were blown away by his stunning vocals.
“There’s a difference between bent down and broke down. You were in both conditions. I mean, you were down. You were down. I said, ‘How low is he going to go?’ No, That was great interpretation, man,” Richie said, before asking Underwood for her thoughts. “Carrie, what do you think about this wonderful gentleman?” Richie asked.
Underwood then admitted, “Surprising. You just walk in and you’re just so chill and calm, and then you open your mouth to sing, hands in your pockets… I was pleasantly surprised.” She also asked him to remove his hands from his pockets for the next performance.
Richie then added, “You can’t learn what you just did. Regardless of whatever else you think you were trying to do, do more of that. Carrie reminded me of my mom. Take your hands out of your pocket and look the folks straight in the face. That’s all you need to do. In other words, now you have to become the character. And if you’re really, really lucky and blessed, you won’t have to worry about insurance except on your voice. And that’s going to be covering you.”
Luke Bryan gushed that Philmon Lee was “making another Georgia boy proud,” referencing himself as a Georgia native. “We’ve had 10 people today that look like they’ve been trained to sing, and you look like you were born to sing. The fun part about this business is we can’t judge any book by any cover. We just have to let you sing. And then, man, when we get somebody like you, it’s pretty dang exciting,” Bryan said, praising the unique talent Lee has. “It is now, I think it should turn to shine.”
Ultimately, Philmon Lee earned a golden ticket to Hollywood Week, taking place this year in Music City, with three “yes” votes from the Idol judges. “We’re not selling insurance, but we’re definitely selling tickets. Welcome to Hollywood Week,” Richie joked.
Lee was nearly brought to tears with Bryan’s commentary. “I had a lot of family and friends here with me today that have seen nothing but ups and downs. I definitely felt like music slowed down for me a lot, and I didn’t see another way back into it. But I believe my life definitely changed with this audition,” Lee told Idol producers after earning his golden ticket. “I’m going to Hollywood Week. Shout out to the insurance company I work for. Thank y’all for the job, and I will be taking some time off.”
New episodes of American Idol air every Monday night at 8/7c on ABC and are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Source:musicmayhemmagazine.com