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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > September > 15
Friday, September 15, 2006
9/15: Kat on Dr. Keith Ablow 9/18
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On noon Monday on the CW network (used to be the UPN affiliate), Kat McPhee talks about her struggles on the new “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show.”
Here’s the press release:
“AMERICAN IDOL� RUNNER-UP KATHARINE MCPHEE REVEALS READING DISORDER AND STRUGGLES WITH FATHER TO TALK SHOW HOST DR. KEITH ABLOW.
(New York)- In an episode airing on Monday, September 18, 2006 “American Idol� runner-up Katharine and her sister, Adriana, sit down for an intimate interview on the new syndicated daytime talk show “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show.�
During this in-depth interview, Katharine reveals to Dr. Keith Ablow her early childhood struggles including fearing her father and her never before mentioned reading disorder, which both played a pivotal role in her bout with Bulimia.
On her learning disability and its connection to her eating disorder: “ I had a reading problem. I had to go through eye therapy for over a year. About the 7th grade is finally when we realized it was an actual physical problem. It wasn’t…a mental thing. And it was just all these kinds of things that happen to kids that parents don’t know about and that really affect their self-esteem. So now this little girl grows up thinking that being beautiful is the only thing that’s important. Obviously, I’m going to go have an eating disorder.“
On her father and self-esteem: “You know I think… growing up I was really fearful of my father…he was the mean, scary producer… now look at him, he’s like the sweetest thing ever. But it took years and years and years to overcome that. Low self esteem was huge for me, because I was always the pretty little girl who was stupid.â€? Katherine also admits to having a “difficult” time in school.
“When people do what you’ve done, which is to share your pain and the truth about your life, you change lives,� Keith commends Katharine. “In the middle of the biggest moment of your life… You say let me be human and see if I can help some people and I think that is amazing…you are our Idol here.�
9/15: Vanessa Olivarez in concert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Season two finalist and local gal Vanessa Olivarez has put together a new band, a country leaning group called South 70. The group debuted last night at Virginia Highland’s grungy basement 10High before more than 100 new fans. I caught most of the concert and was deeply impressed. Vanessa can do country well and the band had a bit of Sugarland to them. Their drummer in fact is Simone Simonton, who drummed on Sugarland’s first CD. Rock violinist Bobby Yang is in the group, along wth bassist Greg Lee, electric guiatrist Jeff Gardner and singer/guitarist Geoff Reid.
Vanessa, you may recall, was the hair colorist who Simon criticized for being too heavy. She responded with grace and humor while Ruben got a pass. She was ousted the first week of the final 12. Three years later, she remains a sweet, charming presence.
I forgot to bring a camera last night but here’s a shot of her from the show:
Donna Scharf, a fan, sent me a shot of her singing Thursday night at 10High:
My colleague at the AJC, Holly Crenshaw, wrote a nice piece about the band for their Web site at www.south70.com. You can hear three of their songs there. Among my favorites from last night: “Crooked Creek Bridge,” “Adios LA” and “Two Lane Road,” which was apparently the original name of the group but another group said they couldn’t share the name.
