Name: Katharine Hope McPhee
Age: 23
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, California
Birthday: 03.25.84 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LA.
Height: 5′8″
Nickname: Kat, Bunny, Cuckoo.
Parents: Daniel and Peisha McPhee.
Siblings: Adriana, older sister.
Pets: 3 dogs named Nena, Larry(?) and Lily.
Righty/Lefty: Lefty.
Pastimes: Dance, bowling, movies, singing.
Favourite Female Recording Artist: Whitney Houston
Favourite Male Recording Artist: Brian McKnight
American Idol Winner: Fantasia
American Idol Judge: Simon Cowell
Favourite Music Acts: Stevie Wonder, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves and Al Green.
Favourite Movies: Father of the Bride, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill and Love Actually.
Favourite Sandwich: Turkey, please. Mayonnaise, mustard, no tomatoes, no lettuce. Really simple. On wheat.
Favourite Item of Clothing: I really like my Mike & Chris navy blue, leather jacket. I got it last summer, but I couldn’t really wear it until the the fall. I just had to have it.
Favourite Time of the Day: I like the evening. I like that feeling of the day being over and relaxing. Mornings are hard for me.
First Record Bought: I think it was Green Day, “Dookie”.
First Gig Attended: Christina Aguilera. My friend got free tickets to see her first concert in LA at the Greek Theater. I heard her, and I was sold on her. I was totally a fan.
First Date: His name was Jose. He made dinner at his house, and his parents let us be in the kitchen by ourselves.
First Memory: I remember being up in the Northwest, running on a trail, and it ended, and there was a big ditch and I ran into it. I remember crying and there were cuts all over my legs.
Last Book Read: I hate books. I get bored. It doesn’t do it for me. I’ve never had a page-turner. I like reading scripts.
Biggest Thrill as a Child: I would get really excited for my dance recitals. I had ten costume changes and I’d get to wear big stage make-up. I had solos and duets.
Best Concert/Performance Ever: Earth, Wind and Fire in Seattle.
When did you first start to sing? 2 yrs old.
Do you have any formal singing training? Just in college and on and off with my mother.
Performing background? I’ve been performing my whole life. My parents are in the business. I just did little theatre shows and I’ve been working in professional theatre for the past year.
Hanging on my Bedroom Wall: A mirror. I don’t have any art because I just moved in. I don’t want to go out and buy just anything. I have to go around, travel, and see what I like.
Did you sit in the back or front of the class? The back - teachers scared me. In elementary school I had a hard time in school. I just wanted to play all the time.
Have you ever been starstruck? I’m always starstruck. In LA, growing up, I’d see celebrities all the time, but I always was starstruck.
Previous Jobs: I worked at a restaurant called Daily Grill as a hostess. I sat Lucy Lui, Hilary Duff, I recently saw David Schwimmer, and I was like, “I sat you at Daily Grill.”
Swear word you use too much: Sh*tf*ck. I swear, I’m not going to lie. I don’t swear all the time, but I do swear.
Most embarrassing moments? Walking out of the bathroom with toilet paper on my shoes.
If you couldn’t sing, which talent would you most like to have? Acting.
Who are your Heroes in life? My mom.
Who is your most famous friend? I don’t have famous friends. Well, Rachel Bilson - I’m not really friends with her, but we went to high school together. She’s sweet.
What other talents do you have? Acting and dancing.
What television show are you obsessed with? 24. If I could be on that show I’d do it in a second. [But] they only use people that aren’t instantly recognizable.
What are your personal goals in life? Have a great family, healthy relationships, give to others who are needy and be a kick ass performer.
What album would your friends be surprised you own? Cirque du Soleil.
What’s something that surprises people about you? I want to get a tattoo. I’m scared though - I don’t like needles. I’d get a little star or heart or something on my foot or ankle.
What’s been your toughest obstacle in life? Overcoming personal insecurities.
• She attended Notre Dame High School.
• In high school, she was a varsity swimmer and student body vice president.
• Her fans are known as the Kat Pack and McPhans.
• Katharine started singing at the age of 2.
• She was roommates with fellow Idol contestants Kellie Pickler and Paris Bennett.
• She had bulimia, but eventually conquered it.
• She fractured her foot during the Idols tour.
• Her mother, Patricia Burch McPhee (stage name Peisha Arten), a vocal coach and accomplished cabaret singer, recognized a talent for music in her daughter and decided to train her.
• Her father, Daniel McPhee, is a television producer.
• She won a black Ford Mustang during the Idol finale.
• She was rumored to be a Scientologist but it was proven untrue.
• She is one of People Magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People.
• Her acting debut is in a film called Crazy.
• She was persuaded by boyfriend, Nick Cokas, to try out for American Idol.