Katharine McPhee: ‘‘I came in second for a reason.’’
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You didnt look too shocked when Ryan announced Taylor won.
Did you have a feeling thats how the show would end?KATHARINE McPHEE:Did I know?
Credit: Katharine McPhee: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage.com
I guess I had a feeling that he could probably take it home.
Especially because Taylor has been high up in the voting thing for the last couple of weeks.
Hed never been in the bottom three.
I think hes the only one whos never been in the bottom three.
I wasnt in a panic.
At the point I made top two, I felt like there were so many doors opening for me.
Plus you got the car.Yeah, I got the car and the record deal.
And you dont have the label of American Idolwinner permanently attached to your name.
Losing to Taylor might end up being the best thing that ever happened to you.Yeah, thank you.
Im starting to think that now too.
Some years the runner-up hasnt done that well.
But Clay has obviously shown that being the runner-up is just as great as being the American Idol.
Except, I have issues with his hair but thats another story entirely.
Your song choices were somewhat controversial.
Everyone was like, Oh, good, we wanted you to sing that.
Its just a song that I think I couldve put on an album or something like that.
And also its a fun song for me to let go.
And then Somewhere Over the Rainbow was a hard decision for me.
I had everybody who thinks theyre everybody telling me what they think I should do.
Oh, its too soon to sing that song.
Im glad I did it.
I didnt winAmerican Idolfor a reason.
I think I came in second place for a reason.
Its not second-best; its just as good.
Its what you do with it now that will shape your career.
I wasnt really hurt.
It was just one of those things when its like, Okay, someones gotta win.
And then you think, Well, maybe I can still win.
I dont think I was in this…
I dont think I was really desperate to winAmerican Idol.
I was just grateful to be in the top two, to be honest.
Your single, My Destiny, was pretty widely panned by the judges and fans.
And also, my voice was not doing good.
I sang it as best I could.
I had to have a shot of cortisone from my doctor.
He came in and definitely saved my day.
I wasnt in this Oh my gosh, I have to winAmerican Idol mode.
Tonight I had so much fun.
Did you ask producers to hook you up with a Meat Loaf duet?They just came to me.
It wasnt like it was my choice.
They just said, Okay, youll be singing with so-and-so.
I havent heard the guy in a while.I didnt even know who he was.
But now I do.
He was like really big in the 70s, right?
Well, and more recently than that.
You must know Paradise by the Dashboard Light, right?I dont.
Okay, lets go to a musical era youll remember.
We thought there was going to be a commercial break before the finale for the results.
So whats next for you?
Spa days?No, were going to New York and then we have the tour.
Its going to be busy, busy, busy from now on.
(Read Jessica Shawsinterview with winner Taylor Hicks.)
