Katharine McPhee

Template:Infobox musical artist 2 Katharine Hope McPhee (born March 25, 1984) is an American singer who was the runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol.

Early career

Born in the Sherman Oaks district of Los Angeles, McPhee has been singing since the age of two. Her mother, Peisha Burch McPhee, a vocal coach and accomplished cabaret singer, recognized a talent for music in her daughter and started training her. McPhee graduated in the class of 2002 from Notre Dame High School after which she attended The Boston Conservatory for three semesters with a concentration in musical theater. She left because she met a manager who wanted her to try out for parts during the television pilot season in Los Angeles. She did a pilot and an independent film. At the Cabrillo Music Theater in Thousand Oaks, California, she performed the title role in a musical theatre production of Annie Get Your Gun. In June 2005 she played Anna Muir in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a musical by Scott DeTurk and Bill Francoeur, at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood.

American Idol

File:AmericanIdolHollywood.jpg

McPhee performs before the judges at the Orpheum theatre in the Hollywood round.

During her initial audition for American Idol in San Francisco, she sang "God Bless the Child." Judge Randy Jackson said she was the best voice he had heard so far that season, judge Paula Abdul praised her looks, and judge Simon Cowell said she was amazing and "current." McPhee's mother had gone with her to the audition, and Cowell made a comment about the possibility that the elder McPhee was a stage mother.

In the final cut-down show for the Top 24, McPhee was the first to be put through and, in excitement, kissed all three judges on the lips. She cried both when she passed her initial audition and when she made it into the Top 24.

In the first round of the semi-finals, she sang Barbra Streisand's version of Buddy Johnson's "Since I Fell for You," again earning high praises as Cowell said that out of the four "very, very good vocalists" of the night, she was the best.

During the week leading to the third round of the semi-finals, where McPhee sang Aretha Franklin's "Think," she was rumored to be quitting due to pregnancy. However, during the performance show on March 7, 2006, she denied this accusation, later attributing it to a poor choice of clothing. Host Ryan Seacrest, with tongue-in-cheek, asked about her and fellow Idol contestant Kevin Covais.

During the week preceding the top 3 show, McPhee visited her former high school for her hometown celebration.

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, and also "McPhan," "McPhaith" and "Kat Pack."

She is congratulated by Congressman Brad Sherman of Sherman Oaks, the 27th district of California by raising a flag in her honor at the United States Capitol on the day of the finale show.

On 24 May 2006, Katharine finished second to Taylor Hicks, the winner of American Idol.

Performances

Semi-finals

• February 21, 2006 - "Since I Fell for You," Barbra Streisand version.
  • Cowell said that she was the best singer of the night.
• February 28, 2006 - "All in Love Is Fair," Stevie Wonder
  • The judges stated that they thought this performance fell victim to poor song choice, but Abdul thought that she was "still a star."
• March 7, 2006 - "Think," Aretha Franklin
  • The judges stated that they loved this performance because she "had fun with it."

Finals

• March 14, 2006 - "Until You Come Back to Me," Stevie Wonder
  • The theme was Stevie Wonder, and the judges stated that they loved this performance. Jackson said that the McPhee he "met during the auditions" was back. Cowell compared her gaining of momentum to Kelly Clarkson in the show's first season.
• March 21, 2006 - "Come Rain or Come Shine," Ella Fitzgerald
  • The theme was 1950's, and once again the judges were very impressed. Jackson noted that it wasn't her best vocal performance, but it was still great. Abdul agreed wholeheartedly. Cowell noted that it was the performance that made her a star.
• March 28, 2006 - "The Voice Within," Christina Aguilera - (Bottom 3)
  • The theme was songs of the 21st century. Jackson thought she should have changed the performance up to make it her own. Abdul said she wouldn't change a thing. Cowell said it was the best that night so far, and almost as good as Aguilera. During the results show, however, McPhee was placed in the bottom three, and Cowell stated that upon viewing the playback, she wasn't nearly as good as he thought.
• April 4, 2006 - "Bringing Out Elvis," Faith Hill
  • The theme for the night was country. McPhee was the eighth of nine performers that night. Jackson said: "Kind of bluesy country, yeah? I like it. You sang it very nice, very nice. Good job, dog, good job." Abdul said: "That is your style; that's your niche. You look sexy, hot. You're cool." Cowell, looking a bit bewildered, said: "I don't know what to say anymore; I really don't. That song was just so peculiar." At this point McPhee spoke up and said: "Simon, you just don't like country music. It's okay. Just say it," with which Cowell agreed, saying: "You're right, I don't, I don't. I hate it."
• April 11, 2006 - "Who Wants to Live Forever," Queen
  • The theme was songs by Queen, and McPhee performed fifth out of eight contestants. The judges' reactions were as follows: Jackson said: "This is your element, I mean a little Broadway, big song, kind of big voice. It was a little pitchy in spots, and I thought at some points it was a little big for you, but you did a good job, I think, all in all." Abdul said: "You made the right decision to just stand there and be glorious, with your glorious voice. I mean it's a song that big singers like Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand take on; and you, Katharine McPhee, can handle it, and you did a great job." Cowell said: "Katharine, I mean that was almost the moment. You know, I agree with Randy [Jackson], I think there were some tuning problems at parts. I think you owe a big kiss to the director and the lighting director there, because they made you look amazing — I mean really good. But overall I think it was probably one of the strongest tonight. Yeah. Very good." McPhee then responded, “Thank you, I know, I do. Thank you, guys,” in response to Cowell's comment about owing the directors a kiss, as she turned and thanked them.
• April 18, 2006 - "Someone to Watch Over Me," George Gershwin
  • The theme was "The Great American Songbook" by Rod Stewart. McPhee performed last that night. Jackson said that McPhee was in her "element." Abdul believed that she picked the perfect song and told her that it was like watching her for the very first time, and that she had fallen in love with her all over again. Cowell said that she made the others look like "good amateurs." He told her she was the best of the night, and that she was elegant and sang like a returning pro. Rod Stewart himself told her that he believed she was born to sing the Standards, and that he couldn't think of anything else to say about her, other than the fact that she was brilliant.
• April 25, 2006 - "I Have Nothing," Whitney Houston - (Top 2)
  • The theme was "Greatest Love Songs." Jackson said that it was a good song choice but it was too big for her. Abdul said she was stunning but believed it was too pitchy. Cowell said that by coming out and singing that song she was saying she is as good as Whitney Houston. Seacrest jokingly remarked that McPhee would get votes from anybody with the volume turned down. The following night, Cowell took back his statement, saying that when he watched it back, it was a good performance. Jackson also apologized by saying that he had been a little bit "too harsh." McPhee was among the top two vote getters on elimination night along with fellow contestant Chris Daughtry.
• May 2, 2006 - "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)", Phil Collins; "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," KT Tunstall
  • The theme for the night was for them to pick a song from the same year they were born, and a song from this week's Billboard charts. For "Against All Odds," Jackson thought her performance may have been in the wrong key for Katharine's voice, but it was OK. Abdul said it wasn't her favorite song choice for her. Cowell said that in parts the song was a mess, and that it ran away from her. They all thought she looked stunning in her dress. For "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," she was accompanied by two cajon box drum players. Jackson liked seeing the old McPhee back. Abdul loved the intimacy and the choreography. Cowell said the song choice was great for her and it really showed her personality. He liked how her toes matched her top.
• May 9, 2006 - "Hound Dog/All Shook Up" and "Can't Help Falling in Love", Elvis Presley - (Bottom 2)
  • The theme was Elvis Presley. For "Hound Dog/All Shook Up", Jackson asked if she forgot the lyrics but Abdul said she handled it well and that the performance was "really fun". Cowell said it was a "desperate manic audition" and that the song was also "shrieky" and for him, he just thought that it "wasn't a great performance". For "Can't Help Falling in Love," she received mixed reviews, as well as Abdul commenting that she preferred "Katharine having fun" and Simon noting the song as being "pitchy." On May 10, 2006, McPhee was in the bottom two with Chris Daughtry. Daughtry was eliminated from the competition.
• May 16, 2006
  • Clive Davis chose R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" for McPhee. Jackson thought she did well, but the song choice was bad and she wasn't "that singer." Abdul, after some pause and inspiration from an audience member, said that McPhee was incredible, and that she looked fabulous. Cowell enjoyed the performance.
  • Cowell chose "Over the Rainbow" (originally made famous by Judy Garland) for McPhee. Jackson was blown away, calling her "a hot one," and declaring that she had the best song of the season. Abdul was also impressed, saying that song was her "element." Cowell said that he was very happy for Katharine and, putting the fact that he chose the song aside, he thought it was the best performance of the competition to date. He also added that it was brilliant.
  • McPhee chose Ella Fitzgerald's "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" for her final song. Jackson said it was good, but not to the extent of her second song. Abdul agreed, once again saying that McPhee's second song was her "element." Cowell said it was okay, and he wished America had seen her second song last instead. McPhee made it to the final two, along with Taylor Hicks.
• May 23, 2006
  • McPhee's first song was "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" from the Final 5. Randy Jackson said it was better than the first time. Paula Abdul said that Katharine was brilliant. Simon Cowell said it was good, but not big enough for this event.
  • McPhee's second song was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Final 3. Jackson said it was amazing and hot. Abdul said it was great. Cowell said it was her best performance of the season.
  • McPhee's third song was an original single called "My Destiny" written by singer/songwriter Hanne Sorvaag. Jackson said McPhee looked and sounded amazing, but she was better than the song. Abdul agreed that Katharine sounded amazing. Cowell said that this song made her go from "brilliant" to only "quite good", but her second song was where she truly shined.
• May 24, 2006
  • At the end of the 2 hour season finale, the final votes revealed that Katharine did not receive a majority of the votes, thus crowning Taylor Hicks the new American Idol. Ryan Seacrest stated there were over 63.4 million votes. Not long before the finale began, McPhee stated that she would have to change into a record nine dresses during the show.

Post-Idol

After coming second to Taylor Hicks she said, "I don't need sad faces or anyone to feel bad for me. I have got a record deal, pretty much. It wasn't about winning the title, I just wanted to give the best performance I could."

Her first single, "My Destiny/Think" is to be released on June 20th by RCA Records.

Discography

Year	Single	Album	US	US AC	US Pop	CAN	RIAA Certification
2006	"My Destiny"	-	-	-	-	-	-

Trivia

• McPhee lists Whitney Houston and Brian McKnight as her favorite artists.
• McPhee has a sister named Adriana, who was born on June 30, 1982.
• McPhee is left handed.
• McPhee is 5'7" (170 cm).
• McPhee was rumored to be a Scientologist. In the past, McPhee had attended and completed two individual courses in Scientology. However, according to an May 12, 2006 interview on Los Angeles radio station KROQ 106.7, McPhee stated she "dabbled in Scientology" because of a former love interest but is not a Scientologist; according to her, she was "quickly out the door." During a May 26, 2006 interview with Ryan Seacrest on Larry King Live, she once again explained that she is not a Scientologist, and only looked into it because of a former love interest.
• McPhee has a dog named Lily.
• McPhee has a goddaughter who was born during McPhee's run in Hollywood.
• During the competition, she was roommates with fellow contestant Kellie Pickler.
• After the Idol finale, Yahoo! Buzz listed McPhee as the most searched Idol contestant for the season.

External links

• Katharine McPhee's American Idol profile
• Katharine McPhee at IMDb
• Template:Myspace - promo site courtesy of Fox's americanidol.com with News Corporation