Katharine McPhee recreates 'American Idol' performance of 'I Have Nothing’ for Simon Cowell, fans love it
Katharine McPhee emerged as one of the most popular 'American Idol' contestants ever when she appeared on Season 5 of the singing competition. She eventually ended up as the runner-up that year, losing to Taylor Hicks in the 2006 grande finale. Since then, McPhee has released five albums' worth of music and has also embarked on a successful acting career - she played Paige Dineen on the CBS show 'Scorpion' and even made her Broadway debut with her role as Jenna in the ongoing 'Waitress' musical. But it was her recent performance on Sunday night, April 5, that still has the internet buzzing.
During her April 5 Instagram Live singing session for her fans who were stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown, McPhee and her producer husband, David Foster, treated fans to a do-over of her Whitney Houston cover, 'I Have Nothing', famously sung by the late diva on the soundtrack of 'The Bodyguard' film. The notorious 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell, who was renowned for his scathing critiques during his time on the show, was also in attendance via FaceTime to see how Katharine fared this time around. Cowell was also joined by his adorable son Eric on the live stream reunion for the former 'American Idol' stars.
McPhee first talked to Cowell about her 2006 'Idol' performance of Whitney Houston’s 'I Have Nothing', which was actually co-written by her current husband David Foster. Back then, Cowell hadn't been a fan of Katharine's cover, saying she wasn't as good as Whitney and that she had "gone backwards" instead of improving. He later apologized for his negative remarks the next day, but Katharine admitted that she had now rewatched her cover version and agreed that she had been “godawful.”
In a do-over for the ages, McPhee decided to recreate her 'Idol' performance after nearly 15 years and even chose to wear the yellow dress that she had originally worn on the show, in order to bring some authenticity to the rendition. Well, she didn't technically wear it - she hung it around her neck as she sang 'I Have Nothing' with her husband David accompanying her on the piano. And McPhee did not disappoint. She gave a soaring rendition of the classic and was miles better this time around. “I think that was definitely a lot better than that screeching performance I gave 14 years ago,” a smiling Katharine said once the song was over and her fans certainly agreed.
Excited to see this amazing recreation of a vintage 'American Idol' moment, her fans gushed online : "14 years ago? Can’t believe it. Wow! You Kat still got it and more." Another admirer said, "Beautiful then, beautiful now! And I did not hear “screechy” at all!!"
Other fans were commenting on how amazing McPhee and Foster looked together, saying, "David appears to be much fun with Kat... They are so good together. Nice personalities," while others agreed, saying, "Love, love, love the beautiful music you make together. Performing in front of Simon and his son was a cute touch."
Make sure you follow Katharine McPhee on Instagram to catch more of her home concerts with David Foster.