AI finalist Phillip Phillips postpones 'desperately needed' surgery to compete against Jessica Sanchez

The last man standing in Season 11 of American Idol, Phillip Phillips, has refused “desperately needed” surgery in order to compete in the sing-off with Jessica Sanchez, the last woman standing, various US media agencies are reporting, citing information posted by TMZ.   The two contestants made it to the AI finals – Jessica despite a sore throat, and Phillip despite persistent kidney stone problems and medication that causes dry mouth.   Entertainment news site TMZ reported that the 21-year-old’s kidney problems have worsened over the past several months.   The 21-year-old singer intends to go under the knife after next week's finals. The report added that his ability to sing has been affected, resulting in his absence in several pre-recorded segments of the popular television singing contest.    Phillips has had five kidney stone removal procedures, according to his father in a report by idolator.com, which said the procedures began in October of last year. Idolator also reported that Phillips was hospitalized in January this year, and was rushed to the hospital for severe abdominal pain in March. Idolator.com also said that the medication Phillip gets gives him a “dry mouth.” The report said recovery from kidney surgery takes “about six weeks,” adding that Phillip would have to “be out of the heavy promotional cycle” that follows the AI finale. WGWGs Idolanalytics.com, a statistics-oriented fan website, has pointed out that the past five seasons of AI has been won by WGWGs or “White Guys With Guitars,” considering that 49 percent of Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 100 Artists are WGWGs.   Meanwhile, the Off Shore Gaming Association (OSGA) website now puts the "betting odds" in favor of Phillip over Jessica. From 2009 to 2011, OSGA’s final results matched the actual AI results – with the exception of David Archuleta who was runner-up to David Cook but was the odds-on favorite in 2008.  — Marlon Anthony Tonson/ELR/HS, GMA News