Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s marriage is strong – thanks to the help of mental health professionals.
“Therapy. A good therapist,” McPhee, 39, told E! News, when asked about the secret to making her relationship with Foster, 73, such a success.
“Or that you just have someone in your life or another couple in your life that is helpful when there’s discord, disagreements,” she added.
The “Over It” singer explained that a therapist offers the tools for better communication.
“I really feel like you can talk through most everything, but you have to have the language, the vocabulary to do that,” she continued. “So that takes practice and self-awareness and having skills to facilitate those conversations.”
The couple, who tied the knot in 2019, also have a deep understanding of each other because they are able to collaborate professionally as well.
“We met each other 18 years ago in this exact space — like a recording studio, in a work environment,” McPhee recalled.
“So, that’s truly where we know each other the best is knowing the ease, and the greatness, and the way he works and just always gets the best thing out of people.”
The “American Idol” alum welcomed son Rennie, 2, with the composer in 2021.
With both of their backgrounds in the music industry, it’s no surprise that their toddler has showcased a talent for playing the drums.
“I would say that the drumming thing has been a continuous theme in his life since he was 14 months, but he’s hit another level in his drumming that is really impressive,” McPhee said. “People have been more impressed than I think we have been. We’re like, ‘Oh yeah, he really loves it. It’s good. We don’t know if it’ll be a real thing.’ But now I’m going, ‘Hmmm, this might be a real thing.'”
However, she did note that Rennie can pursue anything in life and doesn’t have to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
“I would love for him to follow in his dad’s footsteps and just be really well-versed in all different types of musical instruments,” McPhee said. “Obviously, he’s 2 and a half. We’re not pushing him.”
She added, “We’re just letting him do his thing. But, I would love for him to have a working understanding of all instruments a lot like his dad. I think he’s on his way—that’s for sure.”
The mom of one noted that she’s truly enjoying all aspects of parenting.
“I just love everyday mundane things like picking up your kid from school,” she said. “To me, that is so fun because he says, ‘You’re back! You’re back!’ He’s so happy that I’m there, and that’s not gonna be forever that I get to do that.”
McPhee was previously married to Nick Cokas from 2008 to 2016.
Meanwhile, Foster is a father to five other daughters from previous relationships. He was married to B.J. Cooke from 1972 to 1981 and they welcomed daughter Amy, 50, together.
He also shares daughters Sara, 42, Erin, 41, and Jordan, 37, with ex-wife Rebecca Dyer, whom he was married to from 1982 to 1986.
Foster welcomed his eldest child, Allison, with an ex-girlfriend when he was just 20 years old.
The former couple placed Allison, now 53, up for adoption in April 1970. When Allison turned 30, she reconnected with her biological father and they’ve kept in touch ever since.
The Grammy-winning musician was also previously married to Yolanda Hadid from 2011 to 2017 and Linda Thompson from 1991 to 2005.
After welcoming his sixth child with his fifth wife, Foster said he is enjoying every minute of being a dad to a new baby in his 70s.
“I’ve loved every single day,” Foster told People in 2022. “It’s the standard thing of like, ‘Oh, well, you were so young when you had your children, and you were working day and night, you never saw them.’”
He continued, “And there is some truth to that, sadly, for my [older] kids. I was just working a lot. Even though I’m working a lot now, I’ll cancel anything just to hang with him. It’s just different.”
Foster and McPhee were first romantically linked in 2017 and made their red carpet debut at the Met Gala the following year. He popped the question in July 2018 and the next summer they were married.
