For your central Jersey real estate needs: JudyNJHomes.com
Katharine McPhee Runner-Up, "American Idol," Season 5 Tuesday, March 13, 2007; 3:00 PM
Katharine McPhee, "American Idol" runner-up in Season 5, was online Tuesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. ET to talk about life since the "Idol" competition, her new self-titled debut album (which sold 116,000 in its first week) and current single, "Over It," and her numerous personal appearances on TV and in many other venues.
A transcript follows.
____________________
Katharine McPhee: What's up everybody. I'm live here ready to chat with you.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Maybe a little bit of a silly question, but how was it working on the set of "Ugly Betty"?
Katharine McPhee: It was such a great experience. Everybody there was so nice. I was a little nervous at first, but especially America Ferrara made me feel comfortable. It was a fun day for me because I was a fan of the show.
Tamaqua, Pa.: What else would you like to do besides singing and acting?
Katharine McPhee: I really like the business side of things so maybe a long time from now I'll get into producing, behind the scenes kind of stuff.
Toronto, Canada: I heard that you'll do the Canadian anthem for the Blue Jays, is it true?
Katharine McPhee: This is the first time I've heard that so I guess no is the answer.
Vienna, Va.: Ms. McPhee, your "Over the Rainbow" rendition clearly drew some of its inspiration from our late local songbird Eva Cassidy. Are you familiar with the rest of Eva's work -- are you a fan?
Katharine McPhee: I'm not familiar with the rest of her work but I did hear of that version of the song but she (Eva) and Jane Monheit were my inspiration.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Katharine,
I love your new song!
Question: I recently saw you in a magazine as a model in The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection Fashion Show ... what is your connection to heart disease? Was the show fun to walk in, and did you like the Swarovski dress you were wearing?
Katharine McPhee: Yes, I did like the dress I was wearing. I was representing Swarovski so they asked me to be a part of it. I have my own connection to heart disease because my dad's mother died from it.
Katharine McPhee: It was really fun doing something different like a fashion show.
Camden, N.J.: Will you be promoting your album in Europe this year?
Katharine McPhee: I don't know about this year but there's definitely going be some promoting in Europe but I don't know when.
Cupertino, Calif.: Have you met all the songwriters who contributed to your album and discussed the songs or do you sing them based solely on your own interpretation of the lyrics?
Katharine McPhee: Every song that I sing on the record I was either there when they were writing them or I was contributing to them as well. I knew every songwriter on the record. Sometimes the challenge of working with writers is that they have their own interpretation but ultimately you have to stick with your own interpretation because it's you whose name is on the record.
New Orleans, La.: Katharine,
Congrats on all your success and wish you much more. What are your thoughts on the success achieved by Jennifer Hudson? "A.I." has been instrumental for her but who would have thought one would go from "A.I." to Golden Globe, to Screen Actors Guild, to Oscar? Do you feel that your experience on "A.I." has prepared you for the great future ahead of you?
Katharine McPhee: Thank you. First of all, I think that "American Idol" gave Jennifer Hudson a great opportunity but I think that she continued to work hard after the show was over. And I think that made all the difference for her. So ultimately I think it's all about what you do with your newfound fame and opportunity. And I think "American Idol" does do a great job of preparing you for what's to come. But, you have make some hard decisions.
Washington, D.C.: So, How is the life after "Idol"?
Katharine McPhee: I'm just really busy. I don't think I would've had these opportunities. I would have just been struggling to find a job in the entertainment but now everyday I wake up and feel so blessed that I have so many things to do in the entertainment business.
Philadelphia, Pa.: Is there any chance of you doing a solo tour or will you be an opening act for someone anytime in the near future? Inquiring minds are yearning for an answer! Thanks!
Katharine McPhee: Just as much as you're yearning for an answer, so am I. I don't think I'll be doing a major solo tour on this first record. I am hoping and waiting to hear from a major artist to be on their tour. So keep your fingers crossed. If that doesn't happen then I'll definitely be on a small mini-tour of my own. Hope to see you there.
Fairfax, Va.: Do you think the beginning of this "Idol" season was particularly cruel to some of the tryouts? There was a lot of criticism in the news. How did you feel about it? Did you watch the early parts?
Katharine McPhee: I actually didn't watch any of the beginning but I did see clips of some of the crueler moments. I'll agree that it can be cruel but everybody knows it's part of the show and I do think that it's sad that we like to see people being mean to each other.
Alexandria, Va.: How pleased are you with your sales and place on the charts today?
Katharine McPhee: I'm very pleased with my debut and I'm not very concerned with how I do on the charts right now. Most important, we have so many singles to come on this record and I was so thrilled about TRL and thanks to all of you guys for voting. Actually I think I'll be dropping by TRL next week.
Bethesda, Md.: Who do you consider your major musical influences? And who in your life has influenced you most profoundly (other than your parents)?
Thanks!
Katharine McPhee: Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
All of the dogs that I've had throughout my life. Hee Hee Hee.
Anonymous: Have you met any other Idol winners that you're now friends with?
Katharine McPhee: There hasn't been a whole lot of time to hang out with the other Idol winners but I have met most of them and I like them all.
Washington, D.C.: Katharine - Your version of "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" on AI was so amazing. I'd never heard the song before but after hearing and seeing you perform it, I was mesmerized. To this day, I can't get enough of that song - and actually like your version better than the original! Do you have a favorite moment from when you were on Idol?
Katharine McPhee: Yeah, meeting Stevie Wonder when he walked into the room and that moment when we all felt overwhelmed.
Baltimore, Md.: Katharine- You look absolutely wonderful and happy! Do you have any time -- or make any time -- to distance yourself from being a celebrity and all that that life entails? Like reading, cooking, relaxing, pursuing other hobbies other that singing / writing?
Katharine McPhee: Yes, definitely. In the last couple of weeks I've really been able to wind down. I have been able to go grocery shopping, start cooking again, hang out with my friends, family and boyfriend.
Washington, D.C: Are you aware of how many Gay/Bi/Lesbian fans you have? I think it's amazing how diverse your fan base is.
Katharine McPhee: I love having a diverse fan base. I think I have just recently learned to realize that kind of fan base.
Katharine McPhee: I'm sorry I have to leave now but I have to go get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. I love you all and talk to you soon.
It's refreshing to see Kat not being so obsessed with her sales standings that she has to check them constantly...like some of us do. I find it ironic that Kat's fans care more about her chart rankings than she does. At least she understands that you have to look at a long-term situation rather than what number you are on a particular chart day by day. Kat knows she's done well enough with her debut album and single to keep things moving...and I hope we can all keep that in mind rather than freaking out sometimes. Sometimes the best artists take several years before they get to the very top.
Baltimore, Md.: Katharine- You look absolutely wonderful and happy! Do you have any time -- or make any time -- to distance yourself from being a celebrity and all that that life entails? Like reading, cooking, relaxing, pursuing other hobbies other that singing / writing?Katharine McPhee: Yes, definitely. In the last couple of weeks I've really been able to wind down. I have been able to go grocery shopping, start cooking again, hang out with my friends, family and boyfriend.
So she's pretty much set on doing some kind of a tour. Open for someone or even a "mini-tour" that's good to hear. I wonder what a mini-tour would be like. I actually think she'd be better off opening for someone because she'd get exposed to a "new" audience that way.
And if she did open for John Legend I think she'd have to tailor her set for that. Probably something more along the lines of: Over It, Everywhere I Go, Neglected, Home kind of set list.
Katharine McPhee fans around the world