Katharine McPhee Down With The Sickness

The second place finisher to American Idol 5, Katharine McPhee has been featured in the news as of late, first with her story about battling bulimia and now as The American Idol Live Tour kicks off, Katharine has had to sit out because of a severe case of bronchitis and laryngitis.

According to E Online, the singer was instructed by her doctor to take total voice rest. In a written statement Katharine McPhee said, "I am disappointed and I am sorry to disappoint my fans who will be attending the start of the American Idols Live tour," adding, "I need to follow my doctor's orders to recuperate and reunite with the rest of the Idols."

As the runner up from American Idol 5, Katharine McPhee was slated to join other contestants from Idol on the tour that kicked off in Manchester, New Hampshire. As People reports, "It was announced at Manchester's Verizon Wireless Arena that McPhee, the runner-up to winner Taylor Hicks on this year's American Idol, would be missing both Wednesday's and Thursday's performances." In a written statement released by McPhee, on the topic of staying silent she was quoted as saying, " That's the most difficult part, not talking!"

Coming in second place to Taylor Hicks on American Idol hasn't really dampened her fast track career as she has inked a record contract with RCA Records, with her single, "Somewhere over the Rainbow/My Destiny" released on June 27th. Even before she signed with RCA, Katharine was featured on three US tour dates with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. If that isn't enough it's been rumored that Joss Whedon and Steven Spielberg have shown an interest in starting her acting career. Not too bad for second place.

[Additional Sources: E Online, People, Wikipedia]