Katharine McPhee

Katharine Hope McPhee (born March 25, 1984) is an American pop & R&B singer, songwriter, actress, model and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the FOX reality show American Idol, eventually finishing as the runner-up. In 2006, she signed to RCA Records as a recording artist, releasing her debut album Katharine McPhee in January 2007.

Personal life

Born in Los Angeles, California, McPhee moved with her parents and sister to Sherman Oaks at age 12. McPhee has been singing since the age of two. Her mother, Patricia Burch McPhee^[1] (stage name Peisha Arten^[2]), a vocal coach and accomplished cabaret singer, recognized her daughter's musical talent and decided to train her. Her father, Daniel McPhee, is a television producer and her older sister, Adriana Burch McPhee (born June 30, 1982) is an aspiring producer as well.

McPhee graduated in 2002 from Notre Dame High School. At Notre Dame High School, McPhee was a swimmer and a thespian. Afterward, McPhee attended Boston Conservatory for three semesters, majoring in musical theater. She left the college on the advice of her manager, and returned to Los Angeles to try out for television pilots. In a People news article, it was reported that she was rejected in "only 195 out of 200 auditions."^[3] She had a small role as "Paramount Girl" in the 2007 musical film Crazy, based on the life of Hank Garland.^[4] McPhee was also part of a failed mall-based MTV soap opera entitled You Are Here, playing the older sister of a more popular younger sister.^[5]

McPhee has struggled with eating disorders in the past. She told People (magazine) that at age 13 she began starving herself and exercising compulsively, and became bulimic at age 17.^[6] During her run on American Idol, she lost 30 pounds. After a period of about five years, she began treatment after qualifying for American Idol.^[7] .After seven years of illness, she finally entered a three-month rehab program. Now, as she told Teen Vogue in May 2007, "I eat whatever I crave—I'm just really careful about portions."

On February 2, 2008, McPhee married her 43-year-old boyfriend, Nick Cokas, in a Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church. Her American Idol roommate Kellie Pickler was her bridesmaid.^[8]

American Idol

McPhee was persuaded by Nick Cokas and her parents to try out for American Idol. She auditioned in San Francisco, and sang "God Bless the Child", originally performed by Billie Holiday. Paula Abdul said that McPhee was "absolutely beautiful", Randy Jackson hailed her audition as potentially the best so far that season, and Simon Cowell complimented her for being "current" and her audition being "absolutely fantastic".

During the first round of Hollywood week, she sang "I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick which earned favorable comments from the judges. During the second round however, she got into an argument with group member Jennifer Sieminski and even forgot the words to "I Can't Help Myself" by The Four Tops, but the judges decided to advance the entire group. During the third round she sang a Capella of "My Funny Valentine" and advance to the top 40. She was subsequently mad when fellow group member Crystal Stark didn't make the top 24. When she was told that she would be advancing, she kissed all three judges on the lips.

McPhee's run on American Idol led to the popular use of the term "McPheever", coined by Ralph Garman of Los Angeles radio station KROQ's morning show Kevin and Bean.

McPhee visited her former high school for her hometown celebration.^[9] Antonio Villaraigosa visited Notre Dame High School and proclaimed McPhee's visit as "Katharine McPhee Day."

Performances and results (during voting weeks)

Post-Idol career

On June 6, 2006, Sony BMG and 19 Entertainment announced that McPhee had signed to American Idol series creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited and Sony BMG's RCA Records.^[10]

McPhee's debut single, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny" was released on June 27, 2006 by RCA Records. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "My Destiny" peaked at #60.^[11] Thirty-two weeks after its release, Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny had climbed to #4 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales charts.^[12] It was the 2nd highest best-selling single of 2006 after Taylor Hicks's "Do I Make You Proud". "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny" continued to chart for more than 58 weeks.

McPhee and her sister appeared on debut of The Dr. Keith Ablow Show on September 18, 2006 to discuss her struggles with bulimia and her childhood fear of her father.^[13] On the show, McPhee stated that she was misdiagnosed with a learning disability during her middle school years but was finally correctly diagnosed with a vision problem.

Music career

2006-2007: Katharine McPhee

See also: Katharine McPhee (album)

McPhee's much-anticipated, self-titled debut album, Katharine McPhee was released on January 30, 2007 and sold 116,000 copies its first week, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart.^[14] The first single from the album was the hit single, "Over It", which was officially released on the same day as the album and peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's music video hit #1 on both TRL and VH1's Top 20 countdown, maintaining the top position on VH1 for 3 consecutive weeks. The video also hit #1 on MTV Asia's Pop 10 Chart for a massive 12 consecutive weeks.

On May 22, 2007, McPhee released "Love Story", the second single from her debut album. Unlike "Over It" however, McPhee's second single failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100, though it did reach #38 on the Canadian Hot 100 and its video stayed at #1 on MTV Asia for 5 consecutive weeks.

In mid-2007, McPhee was named one of the year's 100 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine. She was also voted #2 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in The World of 2007 and #47 on Maxim's Hot 100 Women of 2007.

During a concert tribute for Neil Sedaka at the Lincoln Center in New York City on October 26, 2007, Grammy award winning producer/songwriter, David Foster, announced that he and Katharine McPhee would be collaborating on her second studio album.

2008-present: Second studio album

On January 11, 2008, it was reported by Billboard.com that McPhee had been released from her contract with RCA Records, through speculation that the label was dissatisfied with lack of overall sales of her debut album. A spokesperson for the label confirmed this in a statement reading: "Katharine McPhee has moved on to support her other entertainment activities. She is going to record her next album on her own." ^[15]

On March 11, 2008, Katharine McPhee appeared on the album Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1. As part of a duet with fellow American Idol 5 contestant Elliott Yamin, McPhee recorded the song "Real Love". The following evening, McPhee returned to the American Idol stage during the Top 12 results night of the seventh season of the competition. She performed the Beatles song "Something", with Grammy-winning producer David Foster on piano. After the performance, Foster confirmed that he and McPhee were still collaborating on her second studio album. McPhee's new album is due in spring 2009 and will contain Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Leona Lewis type power ballads.^[16]

She also signed a two-year endorsement deal with Neutrogena to become the new spokesperson for their skin-care product line. On March 16, 2008, she filmed her first commercial, which began airing on television in May 2008, with print ads following.^[17] "Real Love" was released as a second single, due the high popularity of the song on Itunes.

On June 11, 2008, Katharine and David Foster released a new song entitled, "I Will Be There With You" for Japan Airlines. It is being used to promote the introduction of new aircraft to its US flights.^[18]

As reported in June, Katharine recorded a cover of a song entitled "Connected" for Barbie and the Diamond Castle movie. Katharine's version of the song was produced by Room For Two and a music video was also recorded to be featured on the movie's DVD. The video and song have now been released on the movie's website.^[19] The movie DVD came out on September 9, 2008.

On July 16, 2008, Katharine released a cover of the song "I Know What Boys Like", featuring the other cast members of the movie The House Bunny.

She has recorded a song entitled "Let Your Heart Sing" for the Disney movie, "Tinker Bell". The movie soundtrack (featuring the song) came out October 14, 2008.^[20]

Katharine is featured on the newly released CD/DVD "David Foster & Friends: Hitman;" she sings "Somewhere," and a duet ("The Prayer") with Andrea Bocelli.

Acting career

McPhee made her studio acting debut as one of the few members of a misfit sorority that stars Anna Faris as a playboy bunny who takes the girls under her wing in a comedy titled The House Bunny (formerly known as I Know What Boys Like), directed by Fred Wolf for Columbia Pictures and Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions. The film co-starred Rumer Willis, Emma Stone and Colin Hanks.

McPhee will also be the star of the indie dark romantic comedy, The Last Caller, according to The Hollywood Reporter. McPhee's character will be a narcissistic woman searching for love and other meaning. The role reportedly does not involve singing.

According to MTV, McPhee will start shooting an indie film called Success in November. "I play this sweet, nice girl who gets the attention of this guy," she revealed, " It's one of those interesting indie films." The movie is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Martin Amis. The movie is to be written and directed by Ethan Goldman.

It has also been announced that McPhee will star in the indie suspense thriller, The Storyteller. The movie is being directed by Robert A. Masciantonio. Katharine will play the role of Tina.^[21] Filming is scheduled to begin in October 2008 in Philadelphia.

She also had a small part in the web series, lonelygirl15 in the episode "Truth Or Dare".

Discography

Albums

Singles

Miscellaneous

These songs have not appeared on a studio album released by McPhee.

Filmography

• 2009 - The Storyteller .... Tina
• 2008 - The House Bunny .... Harmony
• 2007 - Crazy .... Paramount Girl
• 2007 - Lonelygirl15 .... Random Girl

Awards and nominations

• Teen Choice Award 2006 and 2007 in "Choice Breakout Female Artist" (Nominated)
• VH1 2006 Big Awards in "Big It Girl" (Won)
• 9th Annual Young Hollywood Awards in "Exciting New Vocalist" (Won)

References

External links

• Official Website Redirects to her MySpace page.
• Katharine McPhee at American Idol
• Katharine McPhee at the Internet Movie Database
• Katharine McPhee at MySpace
• Katharine Mcphee Official YouTube Channel
• Interview: Katharine McPhee February 1, 2007
• Katharine McPhee interview
• Katharine McPhee on American Idol at American Idol Watch
• Katharine McPhee Goes From Classics To Pop - CBS
• "Idol" Katharine Mcphee Weds-Yahoo