When most people see or hear the name, Katharine McPhee, they about her hit television shows, Smash and Scorpion. They also think about the children’s movie, Nanny McPhee, but that’s only because they share the same last name. Sadly, there is no familial relationship between the actress and the ogre version of Mary Poppins.
Katharine McPhee dreamed of becoming an actress when she was a little girl. She started moving toward her goals by performing musicals in school. As she became more serious about acting and started going to auditions, she struggled to make it in Hollywood. Pilots she booked never went to air. Her first showbiz credit was as Random Girl in the television show, Lonelygirl15.
It wasn’t until she focused on singing that her acting career took off. Flash-forward over a decade later and Katharine is dominating television screens, movie theaters, and Broadway stages.
15 She Was On American Idol
When she was twenty-one, she was convinced by her parents and her then-boyfriend, Nick Cokas, whom she would eventually marry, to audition for American Idol. She made it to the season five finale, but sadly lost the competition show to Taylor Hicks. This show gave her so much exposure. It was great for her career.
14 She's Married To David Foster
Katharine first met music producer, David Foster, when she was twenty-one and competing on American Idol. He was acting as a mentor on the show that season. They eventually became friends. Later on, when they were both single, they started dating. The thirty-five-age gap doesn’t bother them. They were married at the Church of St Yeghiche in London, England.
13 She's Been On Broadway
Katharine made her Broadway debut as Jenna in Waitress, which was based on the movie. The play featured music written by Sara Bareilles. Katharine played Jenna from April to August of 2018. She must have loved it since she played Jenna again in London’s West End, before coming back for another run on Broadway.
12 Singing Runs In Her Family
Katharine isn’t the only singer in her family. Her mother, Peisha McPhee, and her sister, Adriana McPhee, are singers and work as vocal coaches. Peisha must have taught her daughters to sing at home. Katharine knows she can always call her sister or her mother whenever she needs vocal tips before a performance or audition.
11 She Battled With An Eating Disorder
According to People, this talented singer and actress started starving herself at the age of thirteen. She became bulimic at seventeen. Once she passed her audition for American Idol, she went into rehab. It was smart that she went into rehab before her career took off. Her condition only would’ve worsened otherwise, especially in an industry that is so focused on looks.
10 Her Parents Work In Hollywood
Katharine Hope McPhee was born in Los Angeles on March 25th, 1984, to Daniel and Peisha McPhee. Daniel McPhee was a television producer. He produced the movie, The Incredible Hulk and several TV shows, including Simon & Simon, Outlaws, and Legmen. As previously mentioned, her mother is a vocal coach. Since 2011, she’s been a vocal coach on American Idol.
9 She Dropped Out Of College
Katharine was a musical theatre major at Boston Conservatory. She’d been in school for three semesters when her manager suggested that she drop out so she could come to Los Angeles for pilot season. She booked an MTV soap opera that took place in a mall. It was called You Are Here. It never aired, but we wish it did.
8 She Was In House Bunny
For those who have not watched House Bunny, starring Anna Faris, please rectify this immediately. It’s so good, it's a girl’s night classic. Emma Stone is in it, too. Katharine plays the pregnant sorority girl. Those who have seen it are screaming, “That’s her?!” Yes, it is! This was Katharine’s big on-screen debut. It’s when her acting career took off.
7 She Was Roommates With Kellie Pickler
Kellie and Katharine met when they were both competing on season five of American Idol. Kellie sadly only made it to the top six. The two of them have kept in touch over the years. They’ve gone on vacations together and Kellie was invited to her first wedding.
6 Her Fans Are Called The Kat Pack And McPhans
How are fans even named? Did Katharine randomly pick a name one day or did the fans come together and decide they needed a shorter name for their fan club? How many fans does a celebrity need to have before those fans become a collective? Katharine, please answer these questions for us, along with why your fans have two different names.
5 She Has A New Netflix Show
Katharine will be in a new Netflix show called Country Comfort. Katharine will play Bailey, an aspiring country singer who takes a job as a nanny for a cowboy named Beau and his five children. It’s going to be like a country version of The Sound of Music.
4 She Has A Non-Profit
In 2006, Katharine set up McPhee Outreach, which financed a school in Africa. She also uses the outreach program to support other charities and programs in the United States and abroad. In 2010, her non-profit organization teamed up with St. Jude’s Research Hospital to raise awareness and funds.
3 She Has Two Dogs
Katharine has two Chihuahuas named Larry and Wilmer. Previously, she had a Chihuahua named Nena. Katharine loves her dogs and tries to take them wherever she goes. Chihuahuas are easily transportable. With this virus going around, she may be spending more time at home with her precious pooches.
2 She Was A Spokesperson For Neutrogena
The Scorpion actress was a spokesperson for Neutrogena in 2008. She signed a two-year contract with them to promote their anti-acne skincare products. How come celebrities are only spokespersons for Neutrogena for a hot second? Remember when Bella Thorne was their spokesperson? No. Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston has been representing Aveeno for years.
1 She Competed On Lip Sync Battle
Katharine competed against Jason Derulo in an episode of Lip Sync Battle. Usually, the pairs make sense, like when Zendaya and Tom Holland competed to promote Spiderman: Homecoming. This pairing was random. Katharine somehow beat the singer/dancer in the show, which also doesn’t make sense because Jason Derulo is a fantastic dancer.