Katharine McPhee dropped by The Kelly Clarkson Show to perform “Right Kind of Trouble” from her new Netflix show, Country Comfort. The two also shared American Idol stories. Kelly Clarkson won the first season of the singing show in 2002, while Katharine came in second on season 5 in 2006.
Back then, they made it so hard! Now I see them with in-ears. We never had that!
Kelly admitted that she and Katharine don’t know each other well, but every time they run into each other, there is a familiarity. It’s like they were all in camp together. “I don’t know, I feel like I’ll never experience anything like it,” said Kelly. “It was such a hard thing right off the bat.” Katharine added, “I feel like back then, they made it so hard. Now I see them with in-ears, they have a special monitor…we never had that!”
The contestants complained that they couldn’t hear, said Kelly, but producers groused that it “ruined the stage to [use] floor monitors. So they buried them under the stage.” Both singers agreed that the American Idol stage served as an incredible “boot camp.” Katharine didn’t know how to perform live before she competed on the show, for instance.
Katharine also shared what it’s like being a new mom, and promoted her new Netflix show Country Comfort, streaming on the network now. Katharine plays an aspiring singer, Bailey, who winds up serving as a nanny for a musical family. (If you enjoy broad comedy with a laugh track, Country Comfort will be your thing).
Katharine knew she preferred acting over singing, even before competing on American Idol
As far as her acting career is concerned, Katharine confessed that even before competing on Idol, she realized she preferred acting over singing. But she loves both! “I’ve been really lucky to find shows that have both the acting and the singing,” she said. Back in 2011, Katharine starred in the musical drama Smash. It only lasted two seasons, but now has a huge cult following.
Katharine explained that she really likes “hiding behind the guise of somebody else.” Kelly is just the opposite, but makes clear that she has never and will never release a self-titled album. “It’s a lot of pressure!” Kelly admitted.
The segment ended with a clip that featured Kat’s character attempting to recite the lyrics to Kelly’s song “Stronger” during a storm, in order to keep the kids calm. Kelly gets a huge kick out of that. “Let’s just say there’s a reason why you won first on American Idol and I came in second!” Katharine quipped. Apparently, Kelly is Bailey’s favorite American Idol!
