Legendary Rock Singer Breaks Silence After Powerhouse ‘American Idol' Duet
Hannah Harperwas crowned the winner of Season 24 of American Idol on Monday, May 11, but there was another big winner on finale night. While he didn't get to take home the title or the main prize, Philmon Lee got to sing alongside the legendary band, Shinedown, who currently hold the record on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with 22 No. 1 singles to date.
Shinedown recently released their eighth album, aptly titled EI8HT,and headed out for another world tour. But they made some time to head to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for an appearance that rocked the theater and everyone watching the live event from home.
Lee and lead singer Brent Smith dueted on "Searchlight" and "Second Chance," showing off both his own singing chops as well as the American Idolstar's abilities. It was definitely a night to remember, not just for Lee but also for Smith, who gushed about the experience.
After performing alongside the American Idol standout, Brent Smith of Shinedown broke his silence about the experience. In an exclusive statement shared with Parade, he wrote, "It was such an honor to perform on this year's American Idol Finale… PHILMON is an absolute powerhouse!!!!"
Smith continued, "We had such a blast working with him, and we cannot wait to see what's next for him. And thank you to Carrie, Lionel, and Luke for representing the Rock N'Roll community. WE LOVE YOU!!!!"
Lee, a singer-songwriter from LaGrange, Georgia, made quite the impression on Season 24. His soulful voice is a distinct mix of classic rock, R&B, and modern pop, making him one of the more memorable contestants this year.
When it comes to range, Lee tackled Michael Bolton's "When a Man Loves a Woman" for his audition night to Teddy Swims' "Lose Control." He had no trouble transitioning to rock with The Black Crowes' "Hard to Handle" and "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey.
So when it came time to sing alongside Shinedown, it's no surprise that he tackled his parts of "Searchlight" and "Second Chance" with ease. It was a no-brainer to pair him with Smith for the American Idol finale night after Carrie Underwoodcalled out the likeness in how Lee hit notes, comparing him to Smith when he sang Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" during the Top 14 Songs of Faith Night.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 11:57 PM.