I have no idea why I won, man. I guess some people liked the music that I was doing. I'm just lucky. I was just doing my thing each week.

On November 6 2012 "Where We Came From" was released in advance of the album release as a free download on pre-order and for sale. The album was certified Gold by RIAA in January 2013. He described his music as "jazz rock alternative sound".

He won the eleventh season of American Idol on May 23 2012. Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. His debut album The World from the Side of the Moon was released on November 19 2012.