Katharine McPhee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katharine McPhee
McPhee in 2024
Born	Katharine Hope McPhee (1984-03-25) March 25, 1984 (age 41) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Katharine Foster
Education	Boston Conservatory
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	2005–present
Spouse(s)	Nick Cokas ​ ​ (m. 2008; div. 2016)​ David Foster ​ (m. 2019)​
Children	1
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B
Labels	19 RCA Verve Forecast Columbia BMG

Katharine Hope McPhee (born March 25, 1984) is an American actress and singer. She became well-known in May 2006 as the runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol.

Her first album, named Katharine McPhee, came out in January 2007. It quickly reached number two on the Billboard 200 music chart. The first song from the album, "Over It", was a big hit and was certified gold. She released her second album, Unbroken, in January 2010.

Katharine also released a Christmas album in October 2010, called Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You. Later, she released Hysteria in September 2015 and I Fall in Love Too Easily, an album of jazz songs, in November 2017.

Besides singing, Katharine has a successful acting career. She appeared in movies like The House Bunny and Shark Night 3D. She played a main character, Karen Cartwright, in the TV show Smash from 2012 to 2013. She also starred as Paige Dineen in the CBS show Scorpion from 2014 to 2018. Katharine made her Broadway debut in the musical Waitress in 2018, playing the role of Jenna. She also performed this role in London's West End in 2019.

Early Life and Beginnings

Katharine McPhee was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Daniel McPhee, was a television producer. Her mother, Peisha McPhee, has been a vocal coach for American Idol since 2011. When Katharine was 12, her family moved to Sherman Oaks. Her mother noticed Katharine's singing talent and helped her train. Katharine's older sister, Adriana, also became a vocal coach for American Idol.

Katharine studied musical theatre at Boston Conservatory. She left college early to try out for TV shows in Los Angeles. Before American Idol, she had a small role in the musical film Crazy in 2005. She also starred as Annie Oakley in a theater production of Annie Get Your Gun, which earned her an award nomination.

Katharine has openly shared about facing health challenges in her past. She received help and focused on her recovery before her American Idol journey began. She later spoke about eating healthy and being careful with food portions.

American Idol Journey

In 2005, Katharine's family encouraged her to try out for American Idol. She auditioned in San Francisco, singing "God Bless the Child". She was chosen to be a contestant on the fifth season in 2006.

During the competition, she sang many songs, including "I'll Never Love This Way Again" and "My Funny Valentine". Her performances were often praised by the judges. Her time on American Idol became so popular that people started calling it "McPheever". She met famous music producers and singers like David Foster and Andrea Bocelli during the show, and later worked with them.

In May 2006, her hometown in Los Angeles celebrated "Katharine McPhee Day". She finished as the runner-up in the competition, with Taylor Hicks winning.

Performances and Results

• When Ryan Seacrest announced the results that night, McPhee was placed in the top two.
• When Ryan Seacrest announced the results that night, McPhee was in the bottom two but declared safe when Chris Daughtry was eliminated.

Music Career Highlights

After American Idol, Katharine signed with 19 Recordings Limited and RCA Records. Her first single, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny", was released in June 2006. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

She also recorded a song with Andrea Bocelli, "Can't Help Falling in Love", for his album. In 2006, Katharine started a charity called McPhee Outreach. It helps sick children and supports building schools in places like Burkina Faso to improve reading skills.

Her first album, Katharine McPhee, came out in January 2007. It was a big success, selling many copies in its first week. The song "Over It" became a Top 30 hit.

McPhee performing in 2010

In 2009, Katharine signed a new record deal with Verve Forecast Records. Her second album, Unbroken, was released in January 2010. It featured the song "Had It All". She also released a Christmas album that year.

In 2010, Katharine joined many other musicians to record "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" to help earthquake victims in Haiti. She also performed at the White House for International Women's Day in March 2010.

Her fourth album, Hysteria, was released in September 2015. It included songs like "Lick My Lips". In November 2017, she released her fifth album, I Fall in Love Too Easily, which featured classic jazz songs.

In 2022, Katharine and her husband, David Foster, released a Christmas EP called Christmas Songs.

Acting Roles

Katharine started her acting career in movies like The House Bunny (2008), where she played a sorority member. She also appeared in the thriller Shark Night 3D (2011).

Her big break in TV acting came with the show Smash (2012–2013). She played Karen Cartwright, a young singer trying to make it on Broadway. The show was about creating a musical inspired by Marilyn Monroe.

After Smash, Katharine starred in the CBS show Scorpion (2014–2018). She played Paige Dineen, a character who helps a team of geniuses understand the world.

McPhee at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International

Katharine also appeared in TV films like In My Dreams (2014). She had a voice role in an episode of Family Guy in 2012.

In 2018, Katharine made her debut on Broadway in the musical Waitress. She played the main role of Jenna. She later performed this role in London's West End in 2019 and returned to Broadway. In 2021, she starred as Bailey in the TV series Country Comfort.

In 2021, Katharine and her husband, David Foster, appeared on The Masked Singer as "Banana Split". Katharine did the singing, and David played instruments.

Personal Life

On February 2, 2008, Katharine married Nick Cokas. They later separated, and their divorce was finalized in 2016.

She became engaged to record producer David Foster in June 2018. They married on June 28, 2019, in London. Katharine gave birth to their son on February 22, 2021.

In November 2022, Katharine launched her own jewelry line called KMF Jewelry.

Discography

• Katharine McPhee (2007)
• Unbroken (2010)
• Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You (2010)
• Hysteria (2015)
• I Fall in Love Too Easily (2017)
• Christmas Songs (with David Foster) (2023)

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage Performances

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Katharine McPhee para niños