Philmon Lee wasn’t meant to sit behind a desk selling insurance — and the American Idol judges made that clear. During his audition, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood praised the 25-year-old Georgia native for a voice clearly born to perform.
In a pre-audition package, Lee shared his musical journey. “I do insurance now, but that’s not the end goal. I want to sing every single night if I can,” he said. “I’ve been a musician my whole life. My dad toured with a gospel quartet, and I was on that tour bus since I was four. Even as a kid, I knew, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”
After dropping out of college, Lee pursued music professionally and even signed with a major label. “I was recording a lot and it looked promising, then COVID hit, and things plateaued. I got shelved,” he explained. “American Idol is another chance to do what I love and get my foot back in the door. I have a voice and I want it to be heard.”
A Standout Audition
Walking into the room calm and confident, Lee delivered a powerhouse rendition of Michael Bolton’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.”
Lionel Richie called it “a great interpretation,” while Carrie Underwood admitted she was “pleasantly surprised.” “You just walk in so chill and calm, and then you open your mouth to sing,” she said.
Richie added, “You can’t learn what you just did… Do more of that. If you continue, you won’t have to worry about insurance except on your voice.”
Luke Bryan praised the Georgia native, saying, “We’ve had 10 people today who look like they’ve been trained, but you look like you were born to sing… making another Georgia boy proud.”
After earning three enthusiastic “yeses,” a tearful Lee told cameras, “Music definitely slowed down for me, and I didn’t see another way back into it. But I believe my life changed with this audition.”
American Idol airs Mondays on ABC.
Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless