He came so close to the Golden Mask Trophy. Phillip Phillips, the beloved “American Idol” season 11 winner, finished as the runner-up on “The Masked Singer” Season 14, unmasked as the artistic Pugcasso during the April 1 finale. He lost to Ashlee Simpson’s Galaxy Girl, but in an exclusive interview with TV Insider, Phillips opened up about his journey on the show, how his “American Idol” experience both helped and hindered him, and why he ultimately has no regrets. “I had been asked a couple of years ago and it wasn’t really the right time,” Phillips said. “This time, I had some free time during filming, and I said, why not? Let’s try it.” For Phillips, the decision to join “The Masked Singer” was about more than just fun. It was about challenging himself in a new format. “I wanted to know how much it would really be, how long it would take. I really didn’t want to be away from my family for too long,” the singer explained. “So there were many round trips. And then it just made sense. I thought, let’s try it. There is no pressure. You really don’t need to do it.” But once he donned the Pugcasso costume – a whimsical dog-painter hybrid – the competitive fire ignited. “I forgot how much I love performing for an audience that’s purely listening, not watching for drama,” he said. When asked how his “American Idol” experience compared to “The Masked Singer,” Phillips was reflective. “Idol was about being judged on your face, your story, your look. They wanted the whole package. ‘Masked Singer’ is the opposite. They can’t see you. All they have is your voice and your movement. That’s liberating and terrifying at the same time.” He credited his Idol training – the grueling weekly rehearsals, the live television pressure, the instant feedback from judges – for giving him the stamina to compete on “Masked Singer.” But he also noted a key difference: “On Idol, you’re trying to prove you belong. On Masked Singer, you’re trying to hide who you are. It’s a different kind of acting.” Phillips finished in second place, with Pugcasso being revealed as the runner-up behind Ashlee Simpson’s Galaxy Girl. “I’m thrilled for her,” Phillips said. “She’s been through so much, and she deserved that moment.” He also praised the other finalists: Normani (Crane) and Kylie Cantrall (Cat Witch). “That was a stacked top four. Any of us could have won.” Looking ahead, Phillips is focusing on new music and family. The “Home” singer, known for his raspy, folk-rock style, says the “Masked Singer” experience has reignited his passion for performing. “Sometimes you get into a routine – tour, album, tour, album – and you forget why you started. This show reminded me that singing is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be play.” He’s already working on his sixth studio album, with a tentative release date in late 2026. And yes, he’ll keep the Pugcasso costume as a souvenir. “My kids love it. They want me to wear it around the house. I told them, ‘Only on Halloween.’” For fans who have followed Phillips since his “Idol” days – when he beat out Jessica Sanchez with his coronation song “Home” – seeing him on “The Masked Singer” was a delightful surprise. He may not have won the trophy, but he won something perhaps more valuable: a reminder that even established artists can find new joy in anonymity. As Phillips put it, “Sometimes you need to put on a dog costume and paintbrush to remember why you love to sing.” And that, perhaps, is the real victory.