Katharine McPhee, a singer and actress known for her role in NBC's "Smash" and her journey on "American Idol," has been in the public eye for years. Her talent and beauty have garnered attention, but so has her struggle with bulimia. McPhee's openness about her eating disorder has made her a beacon of hope for many, and her experiences offer valuable lessons about body image, recovery, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Early Struggles with Body Image and Bulimia
McPhee's battle with bulimia began at the age of 17, fueled by the pressures of growing up in Los Angeles and spending years in dance class, where body image was a constant concern. She recalls going through phases of exercising compulsively and starving herself. The quest for an ideal weight led her down a dangerous path, with binging and self-induced vomiting becoming a shameful secret.
"I was binging my whole life away for days at a time," she says. "When I got on the show, I said, 'You know what? Let me give myself a chance and just get a hold of this thing.'"
At one point, McPhee was vomiting as many as seven times a day. She realized her disorder was literally eating away at her vocal cords, a critical realization for a singer. This prompted her to seek intensive treatment at the Eating Disorder Center of California.
Seeking Treatment and Starting Recovery
Before appearing on "American Idol," McPhee entered a three-month program at the Los Angeles Eating Disorder Center of California. She credits Evelyn Tribole's book, "Intuitive Eating," with helping her learn to eat normally.
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By the end of that earlier chapter, the "American Idol" runner-up had stopped binging and started eating in moderation. "I'm definitely not completely healed," the singer told People. "I still have to be really cautious of diet mentalities, like 'Oh, I shouldn't eat this because I have this event coming up.'"
Her treatment involved reading "Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works," by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, as well as attending individual and group therapy six days a week. McPhee tells the magazine she hasn't binged since the two weeks before entering the TV program and has since adopted a much healthier attitude about food.
The Challenges of Public Scrutiny
As McPhee's career took off, she faced increased public scrutiny, particularly regarding her appearance. The pressure to maintain a certain body image can be intense for celebrities, potentially triggering for someone with a history of eating disorders.
When life gets very stressful, by choice or circumstances beyond your control, it's important to take extra measures to support your recovery. The irony is that many people have used Marilyn Monroe as an example of a woman with curves. Women with bigger, curvier bodies used to be viewed in a positive light. So maybe this could be a positive.
Evelyn Tribole, coauthor of "Intuitive Eating," expressed concern about McPhee dealing with public scrutiny, stating, "So many of my patients have issues around internalizing the thin ideal, but when you're a celebrity and your picture is being taken a million ways, that reinforces your worst fears." Tribole emphasized the importance of having strong support systems in place and being aware of red flags that could indicate a relapse.
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Psychotherapist Carolyn Costin, who runs multiple eating disorder centers, added that McPhee's previous exposure on "American Idol" might have helped her develop a thicker skin. She hoped McPhee would stay in touch with the value and regard she had for her inner self during her recovery program.
McPhee's Approach to Diet and Exercise
In recent years, McPhee has shared insights into her approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing balance, intuitive eating, and regular exercise.
Katharine eats clean and healthy because it makes her feel good. “I love clean food; it makes me feel good,” she told Health. “But the idea that you can never eat a burger and French fries [without gaining] weight five days later?
McPhee is devoted to exercise. The star works out three or four times a week for hour-long workouts with trainer Simon Carter. Katharine refuses to weigh herself, partly because she suffered from an eating disorder in her younger years.
Katharine isn’t against the occasional cheat meal. “If there’s somewhere special I wanna go - like for Mastro’s butter cake or a pizza with some delicious red wine - I break every rule,” she told Health.
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After watching the documentary, What the Health, Katharine was inspired to eat green. She said, “it’s basically gearing everybody to be plant-based and vegan. I could never be vegan; I like milk and yogurt and cheese too much. But I’ve definitely moved more toward the vegetarian route.” Other plant-based food she loves? “Well, I love avocado toast. I know it’s super trendy but I love it for breakfast; it just feels so nurturing and wholesome and so good going into my stomach. I put a little bit of truffle oil over the avocado with salt and pepper on delicious whole wheat toast,” she told Health. “I also like big salads, like the ones at Sweetgreen. I love Sweetgreen.” Her favorite combo? “Kale, kale, kale, kale. I love kale. And then garbanzo beans, spicy broccoli, red onion, carrot, feta cheese, cucumbers, and then maybe something crunchy, like almonds.
McPhee avoids dieting. “I lost this baby weight without dieting. Zero. Diets are the worst and I’ve had zero pressure from anyone,” she said in a recent Instagram post. “I’ll probably gain weight again at some point too. Katharine loves blasting calories via a certain dancing workout.
Here are some of the key elements of her approach:
- Intuitive Eating: McPhee has embraced the principles of intuitive eating, which involves listening to her body's hunger and fullness cues and rejecting restrictive diet mentalities. She allows herself to enjoy a variety of foods without guilt, focusing on nourishing her body and mind.
- Regular Exercise: McPhee is committed to regular exercise, working out three or four times a week with a trainer. She enjoys workouts that incorporate dance and other activities that make her feel good.
- Avoiding Dieting: McPhee is a vocal opponent of dieting, emphasizing that restrictive diets can be detrimental to both physical and mental health. She focuses on making healthy choices without depriving herself of the foods she enjoys.
- Plant-Based Foods: Inspired by the documentary "What the Health," McPhee has incorporated more plant-based foods into her diet. While she is not strictly vegan, she enjoys vegetarian meals and incorporates plenty of vegetables, fruits, and legumes into her diet.
- Cheat Meals: McPhee allows herself occasional cheat meals, indulging in her favorite foods without guilt. She believes that enjoying these treats in moderation is essential for maintaining a balanced and sustainable lifestyle.
The Importance of Self-Compassion and Support
McPhee's journey highlights the importance of self-compassion and seeking support when struggling with body image or eating disorders. It's crucial to remember that recovery is a process, not a destination, and setbacks are a normal part of the journey.
People like Katharine are held up to higher standards, but she's allowed to have a bad body-image day. She's allowed to get up, put on clothes and say "I feel fat." That's the majority of American females.
Evelyn Tribole advises, "Remember that no one should be the expert of you. Only you know your thoughts and feelings. Only you can focus on what's really meaningful for you."
Carolyn Costin emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help when feeling overly self-conscious, rather than feeling bad or guilty.
The Broader Cultural Context
McPhee's story also sheds light on the broader cultural pressures that contribute to body image issues and eating disorders. The constant bombardment of unrealistic images of celebrities and the emphasis on thinness can create a toxic environment, particularly for young women.
Wouldn't it be great if our culture finally dropped the issue of body, shape and size and instead focused on a person's talent and character. I've always wondered how much time is wasted when someone is preoccupied with their body and what they eat. [Author] Viktor Frankl said: Our purpose in life is to find our purpose. If you're being distracted by body shape, it takes you away from living a more meaningful life.
Wendy Cramer, a professional relations representative at The Renfrew Center in Philadelphia, notes, "We have an epidemic of eating disorders, and certainly the way that we are bombarded by images of celebrities being so thin affects how girls see themselves."