Katharine McPhee's dad passes away just weeks after her engagement to David Foster
Katharine McPhee took to Instagram to share a heartbreaking news of her dad's passing on Tuesday (July 17). Sharing a picture with her dad, Daniel McPhee on social media, Katharine wrote, "I can’t believe I’m even writing this,” she started. “But it is with a heavy heart that I share that my sweet sweet Papa left this earth yesterday morning. We as a family are completely heartbroken and devastated. He was my biggest fan, my biggest champion, always telling me to ‘Give em hell kid!’ ” She continued, “He was so kind and caring and made sure we knew how much he loved us. Not sure my heart will ever be the same.” Katharine also expressed her sadness that her dad could not watch her Broadway debut.
“I’m so sad he missed my [Broadway] debut,” she said. “But when I return to the stage next week I hope he can watch it in peace and from up above. Thank you to all my friends who’ve been so loving and supportive these last 48 hours. I love you, Papa. I already miss you so much. This hurts.” Days before Katharine shared the news about her loss, she had told her fans on Twitter that she will be missing some of the shows as she had to fly back home.
"Hey, my Waitress fans... I’m so so sorry to inform you I will be out this weekend from the shows. I’m having to fly back to LA right now for a family emergency. It breaks my heart to disappoint anyone. Sending all my love." The news comes after Katharine and David Foster announced their engagement.
Katharine and David were on the Italian island of Capri, where she was seen sporting an engagement ring. As reported by TMZ, Katharine was also showing off her wedding ring to her friends via FaceTime. Katharine's rep also confirmed the engagement. Katharine and David first met in 2006 when he mentored her on American Idol.
Two years later, he played the piano at her wedding to Nick Cokas. Katharine and Nick split in 2016. For David, it would be his fifth. He was previously married to B.J. Cook (1972 to 1981 ), Rebecca Dyer (1982 to 1986), Linda Thompson (1991 to 2005), and Yolanda Hadid (2011-2017).
For a long time, the pair tried to keep their relationship under wraps. "We've been friends for a long time. I'm really, really fond of him, and I think he's an incredible person. I've known him since I was 21 years old, you know? He produced my first single. So he's been really good to me. People can say whatever they want," Health magazine reported Katharine as saying.
In 2017, Katharine had opened up about finding someone "who is spontaneous and adventurous." She added, "Someone, who’s ready to just go do something—or let you go do it at the drop of a hat. I’m so independent now; I wasn’t really that independent when I was in my 20s, so I need to be with someone who has their own life." Ever since the confirmed their relationship, the couple has not shied away from showing PDA filled moments.