Gossip Teen

American Idol: Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips is hitting the ground running after being released from the hospital earlier today following kidney surgery.

The 21-year-old Georgia native, who was spotting signing autographs for fans as he left the hospital, told E! News,

I’m out of the hospital and back to work! Looking forward to the future.

So much for putting his feet up and taking it easy!  Wonder if he ever got our balloon bouquet…

Phil is expected to join up with the rest of the Idol finalists for the American Idol Live Tour beginning July 6th and we wish him all the best on his road to recovery!

[Image: Nikki Nelson/WENN]

According to sources, since being named the winner of American Idol: Season 11, Phillip Phillips’ debut single “Home” has already been downloaded 278,000 times – the most for any idol contestant since 2003 when Nielsen SoundScan began tallying downloads.

“Home” debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts, making it the fourth highest debut of any single this year, losing out only to superstars Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Maroon 5.

Not bad for your very first single Phil old boy!

Phillips, who was forced to delay kidney surgery earlier this week due to a sinus infection, is slated to hit the road with the rest of the American Idol finalists later this summer for the American Idols LIVE tour and we expect to see an album from the 21-year-old Georgian sometime this year.

Congrats Phillip – we can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!