"American Idol" Champ Phillip Phillips Doing "Better Than Expected" Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic/Getty Images Phillip Phillips has been through a lot since he won "American Idol" last month, namely major surgery to remove the kidney stones that plagued him during his time on the show. But now, he's recovering and getting in shape for the American Idols Live tour, which kicks off July 6. Not 100 [percent] but I'm good," Phillips told reporters on Wednesday. I'm getting there, probably soon. I'm doing a lot better than expected so it's a good thing. Phillips was speaking at a press preview of the tour, during which most of the finalists performed what will be a group number during the show: a version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." Phillips didn't join in because, as he explained, "I haven't really been able to rehearse as much as everyone else because I've been recovering and whatnot...I'm practicing when I can." But despite his lack of rehearsal, Phillips says he's looking forward to the tour, which will run through September. "I'm gonna treat it like I did the show," he told reporters. Just make sure every night when I go out there, I'm gonna just make sure it's fun first, and then make sure the music's tight and, hopefully, the crowd feels it. As for his debut album, which fans are eagerly awaiting, Phillips says he's "just now starting work on" it, adding, "I'm excited to get the stuff out." He says we should expect the disc sometime in November or December.