Phillip Phillips had eight surgeries during American Idol

Only 11 people have the honor of being named the winner of American Idol, but the title might be extra special to newly minted champ Phillip Phillips after the eight, yes, eight, operations he underwent during the competition.
Phillips' father, also named Phillip Phillips, revealed to People the shocking number of procedures his 21-year-old son had to go through.

Back in March, Phillips received emergency medical treatment for pain in his abdomen prior to the Top 13 results show. "He's been doing [well], but it's just grueling hours and it's just amazing what he's done through the journey," he said. "Eight operations since we started 'American Idol' ... He's hitting 50 percent, but he's still up there swinging away.