American Idol’s in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine addressed reporters minutes after Phillip Phillips was named winner of season 11.
“Phillip had that country base and that young-girl thing going on, that’s hitting the button lots of times,” said the music industry veteran, who got his start as an engineer for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.
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As The Hollywood Reporter previously reported, Iovine explained how Phillips’ coronation song “Home,” written by Drew Pearson, was chosen only days before the 21-year-old Georgia native performed it on the Idol stage.
As for Sanchez’s power ballad “Nothing Changes”? “It did bomb, didn’t it?” Iovine remarked. “The song didn’t work well live.” Sanchez had her choice of “three or four different songs,” he added. “We don’t force the kids to do anything.”
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Iovine’s no-holds-barred commentary was one of the highlights of season 11 and has even prompted some to suggest that the chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records replace Jennifer Lopez. But Iovine pointed to his own blooper reel, telling reporters that he doesn’t do well in a live setting. “Being a judge is not for me,” he said.
Next on Iovine’s plate: Phillips’ debut album, which the music executive said will be helmed by one producer. “The hard part is to leave this behind you and make your first album.”
Twitter: @shirleyhalperin
