'Idol' runner-up McPhee projects a new image

Coupled with her new sex-kitten image, Katharine McPhee's sound suggests that she’d be a strong candidate for the Pussycat Dolls reality show.


Taylor Hicks is headlining in clubs and casinos. Kellie Pickler is opening for Brad Paisley. Chart-topping Chris Daughtry is gigging all over the place.

Last year’s “American Idol” finalists are working it harder than any of their predecessors.

Runnerup Katharine McPhee has hit the radio-concert circuit, Minneapolis, Allentown, Pa., and New Haven, Conn.

McPhee, 23, is promoting her self-titled CD, which was a curveball to “Idol” worshippers. After showing off her big, Broadway-ready voice on TV, she gave herself a musical makeover, serving up a collection of dance pop, R&B and pop.

Coupled with her new sex-kitten image, the sound suggests that she’d be a strong candidate for the Pussycat Dolls reality show.

We caught up with McPhee — her publicist calls her Katharine, not Kat — before she started her radio tour to talk about her single (“Over It”), career and “Over the Rainbow.” She was much more talkative than champion Hicks — and a lot funnier.

Q. What can we expect from you?

A. I’ll be singing four to five songs. You’ll get to know me a little bit more as a personality and as performer. Because on “Idol” you didn’t get to see us perform; it was like one two-minute song and then you were finished. This gives you a chance to let the nerves subside.

Q. We’re not going to hear “Over the Rainbow,” I take it.

A. No, you’re not. I’m sorry.

Q. When was the last time you performed that?

A. Gosh, I don’t even remember. On the “Idol” tour, I sang it every night.

Q. People look at your album cover and wonder if you’re going to wear the over-the-knee boots and sweater for this performance.

A. No.

Q. Is that an outfit you wear very often?

A. Oh, yeah. I wear it out all the time. Heh-heh-heh.

Q. You had a glamorous image on “Idol.” What kind of image are you looking for now?

A. It’s more about what’s in right now. I like little dresses. I still like the long dresses as well. It’s summer so a little bit more cute, sexy. An album cover is really different from what you wear every day. At least this album cover.

Q. Your album had a big first week of sales (116,000) and then has slowed down. How do you feel about the reaction to the album so far?

A. It’s what I predicted it would be with the current single. I don’t think it was one of those songs that was going to drive record sales up to crazy numbers. It’s a good introduction to the new sound. It wasn’t my favorite song off the new record; so I’ll be candid about that. More important, I’m really excited about the next single, which is “Love Story.”

Q. There are a lot of different musical styles on the album. What were you trying to do?

A. My initial approach for the record was to have it in the vein of “Love Story,” “Not Ur Girl,” “We’ve Got Each Other.” Then a few ballads made it on. There are a lot of politics that go on with the first record and a lot of things that you don’t think you have control over and then later you realize ‘oh, I had a little bit more control than I thought.’ ... I think it’ll be a little more my way on the second record.

Q. Your album hasn’t been a blockbuster and either has Taylor’s. How do you feel about that?

A. I think the record industry is in a weird place right now. Considering that Taylor didn’t have anything on the radio, he’s done pretty well for himself.

I have to say I’m very satisfied where I am right now. Coming off a show where everything happens so fast and you rise to the top so quickly, (it’s good) being able to kind of be on the other side now and see how other artists have to start out. I can certainly say now that I’ve had to do things to try to work my way to the top; it wasn’t just all handed to me. I kind of appreciate this way my music is evolving. We have three more singles to go. As far as sales go, I don’t pay attention to the weekly reports nor do I want to know about them.

Q. You have said that “American Idol” saved your life. Could you explain what you mean by that?

A. I was able to be more focused on my career and the possibilities of what could happen as opposed to an eating disorder.

Q. Was being runnerup a blessing or a curse?

A. Everything has been a blessing. Chris will tell you that being fourth is a blessing; he’s doing great. We’re all doing great in our own way. We’re all hitting different markets. If I had won, I’d probably be in the same situation right now. That’s fine with me.

Q. When you appeared on Tyra Banks’ show in February, people wonder about what you thought when she grabbed your breast to determine if it was real or enhanced?

A. Well, she asked me. It was just a fun, cute little show. I didn’t realize that people would make such a big deal about it for weeks to come. That’s how I’m with with my girlfriends — I’m really playful and fun. That’s what it was like with Tyra. I was just having her help me clarify a rumor.

Q. You appeared on the sitcom “Ugly Betty.” What’s your future with acting and dancing?

A. I’m taking ballet. Just kidding. I’m not like: “Oh, the door’s open; I have to get into a movie.” I’d rather take some time to find the perfect project than to just rush into something.