full size Phillip Phillips Performs in American Idol’s Top 8 on April 4, 2012
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co.

For months, American Idol contestant Phillip Phillips has been seen as the frontrunner to take home the Season 11 title. Yet some of his performances over the last couple of weeks have been less than stellar (which P2 admitted himself during last night’s Idol episode), and even the judges seem to have lost their Phillip fever. Last week, mentor Jimmy Iovine said outright that he thinks Phillip has been coasting on his popularity for some time now.

Despite gripes about his limited vocal range or his Dave Matthews Band-loving ways, he’s the only contestant in the Top 4 who’s never been close to the Bottom 3. So is it purely inevitable that Phillip will win Idol?

Based on what’s transpired so far on the show, we’re 99 percent certain he’ll be in the Idol finale. Phillip did regain some serious performance mojo last night with a stellar rendition of Damien Rice’s “Volcano," proving that he still has his head in the game. As mentioned, he hasn’t even come close to elimination this season, and his recent health problems will garner him plenty of sympathy votes. Plus, knowing that voters have favored male winners during last three seasons of Idol, a cutie like Phillip has the clinch on a majority of the female demographic.

But having seen some erratic voting patterns this season, it’s hard say what will really happen. Fan favorites Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine were eliminated much too abruptly for some people’s taste, while Bottom 3 frequenter Hollie Cavanagh has managed to make it to the Top 4 by the skin of her teeth. And let’s not forget Jessica Sanchez’ dramatic almost-elimination last month.

At this juncture in the competition, anything can happen!


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