David Foster calls wife Katharine McPhee 'fat' as viral video resurfaces
David Foster is under fire from fans after a video resurfaced calling his wife Katharine McPhee "fat."
In the video, which was originally posted in January, the 16-time Grammy winner is seated at a piano as the "American Idol" alum McPhee tells fans: “You may not know we met 17, almost 18 years ago when I was a little chubby and cheerful contestant on 'American Idol.'"
The 40-year-old McPhee gestured towards a graphic on the screen behind them of Season 5 of "American Idol," which aired in 2006. The pair met when Foster mentored contestants on the then-FOX singing competition, where McPhee became the runner-up.
"Oh, yeah. You were fat," the music legend said, while seated at the grand piano, to audience laughs. McPhee responded, attempting to find humor in her husband's comments, quipping, "I was a little chubby, OK? I was just young."
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USA TODAY has reached out to reps for McPhee and Foster for comment.
On a TikTok circulating online, users criticized Foster's choice of words.
"This made my heart hurt. This beautiful girl was NEVER fat. You don't call your wife fat. As a joke or serious," one user wrote. Another commenter called McPhee, who was 21 during her time on the show, "absolutely stunning" while she was on "Idol."
On an Instagram post that previously went viral on @popapologists' Instagram page in February, users clapped back at Foster.
"Not to mention, she's been open about having an eating disorder at that time! This is awful," one user said, in reference to McPhee's public admission that she privately struggled with bulimia and started "restricting food" in middle school.
"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Tamra Judge commented "NO!!" with the face palm emoji and drag queen Jackie Beat added in the comments section that Foster is "revolting."
Katharine McPhee is Canadian composer David Foster's fifth wife
McPhee, who has had a successful career in television and on Broadway, is one of the most notable contestants to ever find a career post-"Idol." But in recent years, she has shared her career with Foster as they perform around the world together.
In July 2018, she revealed she was engaged to now-74-year-old composer Foster and became the center of a firestorm over the couple's significant age gap.
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Before tying the knot with McPhee in 2019, Foster was married to "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum and supermodel mom Yolanda Hadid and Linda Thompson, the famous ex of Elvis Presley and Caitlyn Jenner. His first wife was singer-songwriter B.J. Cook and his second wife is Rebecca Dyer.
The pair couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Rennie, in February 2021. Foster also has five adult children, including Erin Foster and Sara Foster.
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, you can call The National Alliance for Eating Disorders' clinician-run helpline from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. EST at (866) 662-1235. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
Contributing: Charles Trepany, Rasha Ali
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David Foster calls wife Katharine McPhee 'fat' in viral video
