Philip Murphy, who goes by Murphy, stepped in front of the American Idol judges during the March 7 episode and stole everyone’s heart. Right away, the judges noticed just how unique and original Murphy is. He moved on to Hollywood Week, and that’s where things took a turn.
Despite his amazing and one-of-a-kind voice, Murphy has been eliminated. . His originality could really propel him in the season 19 competition. HollywoodLife has 5 key things you need to know about Murphy.
1. Murphy was eliminated during Hollywood Week.
For his Showstopper performance on his birthday, Murphy performed a beautiful original song titled “Am I Still Mine?” Katy Perry told Murphy that she’s loved seeing him grow right before her eyes. “My voice has never been stronger,” Murphy told Katy and Luke Bryan. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the top 24.
Murphy was good he should have not been sent home. My Heart hurts for him. Bring him back as a wild card please. #AmericanIdol
— Melissa Brown (@Missyb3Brown) March 29, 2021
I hope a record label picks Murphy up and he gets the recognition he deserves. My jaw was on the floor. #AmericanIdol
— Deb (@orionerin) March 29, 2021
Right away, fans were furious that Murphy was eliminated from the competition. “Murphy was good he should have not been sent home. My Heart hurts for him. Bring him back as a wild card please,” one fan tweeted. Another wrote, “I hope a record label picks Murphy up and he gets the recognition he deserves. My jaw was on the floor.” Here’s hoping Murphy is chosen as a wildcard!
2. He performed an original song during his audition.
After his first performance of “Just The Two Of Us” by Bill Withers during his audition, Lionel asks to see another song from Murphy. The singer decides to sing his original song “The Painted Man” for the judges. It’s a soulful performance with beautiful lyrics. Luke decides to send Murphy to Hollywood, while Katy says no. Katy explains that Murphy’s voice is a little too “novelty,” and they’re looking for something a little more “mainstream.” It all comes down to Lionel!
3. Murphy is a street performer.
Murphy has made a career out of busking, also known as street performing. “It’s what I do for a living, I’m a street performer, and it makes me a fine living,” Murphy told Seattle Refined. “It’s nothing extravagant, but if you work hard you get your daily bread and that feels good. There’s never an unfulfilling day.”
4. His ultimate dream is to help others.
The idea of money and fame is not what Murphy aspires to have as a singer. “I want people to look at me as an example of you don’t need a lot to give something substantial,” he said in his Seattle Refined interview. “Particularly, I want to help people that have had a hard life. Like, by the end of it I want to have a homeless shelter. I don’t care that I don’t have a ton of money. I want to have something to show for my hard work.”
5. He suffers from a degenerative eye disease.
During his time on the show, Murphy opened up about dealing with partial blindness. “My vision is substantially worse than the average person,” the Baltimore native said. “My right eye is gone and my left eye is going, due to a form of degeneration. I’m expected to lose sight at maybe mid-thirties. And this experience, while wonderful, is trying on that part of my life. The stage lights, they’re so bright, so it’s a lot to take in… In that moment, I know that I’m damaging my eye, hurting it, and I can feel the pain.”
