Katharine McPhee (AI contestant): A Scientologist?

[moomies]

KATHARINE MCPHEE: IS SHE A SCIENTOLOGIST?

Katharine McPhee and Tom Cruise's fiancée, Katie Holmes, both sport brunette hair and a beautiful smile. And like Holmes, the 21-year-old Idol favorite from Sherman Oaks, Calif., may have her own connection to the Church of Scientology, according to the watchdog Web site truthaboutscientology.com! They claim that a "Katharine McPhee" was listed in a December 2005 issue of Celebrity — the magazine of the Church's Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles — as having previously completed their Purification Rundown Procedure and Overcoming Ups and Downs In Life Course.

PURE? NOT SURE!
According to the Web site, "When Scientologists complete a course... their names are typically listed in [the magazine]." And the controversial church — established by the late sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard — has raised many eyebrows within the mainstream medical community over its Purification Rundown Procedure, in which an individual ingests cooking oil and massive doses of niacin while sitting in a sauna for extended periods, in order to break down "the biochemical barrier to spiritual gain."

THE NAME'S THE SAME
So are Idol's Katharine McPhee and the individual listed in the Scientology report one and the same? National records indicate there is only one Katharine McPhee in the entire U.S. — in Sherman Oaks!

However, a family friend who spoke to Idol's McPhee at Star's request reports: "Katharine says she is not a Scientologist." But the friend does not say whether McPhee has ever been one in the past. If not, she might want to reconsider, judging by a description of the benefits of completing the Church's Overcoming Ups and Downs In Life Course: "Now you can spot what — and who — is causing things to go wrong in your life and recognize your friends. Now you can correctly tell who to trust — and listen to — before it's too late." Hmm... sounds like the perfect method for dealing with Simon Cowell!

http://www.starmagazine.com/news/61961

[vballchica134]

This came out a while ago. Old news. People who are fans obviously don't care. She's not bringing it on the show (not saying you shouldn't) so it shouldn't matter anyways.

[darksithbunny]

Glad I didn't vote for her. And now I still won't.

[Sojiita]

when I clicked on this thread there was a google $cientology AD!!!!! for their books and tapes!!!! EEEK!!

[flecjill]

what Rachael Ray would look like if she got boobs.

[Lobelia]

Well, I'm a fan, and I care. Mandisa's Jesus talk turned some people off, and maybe it's wrong of me, but just knowing Katherine was a Scientologist creeps me out.

I didn't know any of this, & I demand updates & clarification.

*pounds the desk*

[South Lake]

I liked her, until I read this old news a few weeks ago. I hope she gets voted off now too.

[Elisa]

Originally Posted by Frank_Rizzo

I knew there was something weird about her.

Looks like she'll be voted off this week.

Love her voice! I think we'll see her and Chris in the top 2.

[serenity]

HA! I knew there was SOMETHING about her I didn't like. And here I thought it was because she's a spoiled little girl that has always had an easy comfortable life.

[twitchy]

American Idol Katharine McPhee was on KROQ 106.7 on Friday May 12 2006 as a guest on the radio show. She stated and I quote "I am not a Scientologist. I was actually dating somebody who was a Scientologist. I was MADLY in love and sure I was like I'll dabble in Scientology and I was quickly out the door. I'm very spiritual... love God... thank you Jesus."

from: http://americanidol2006blog.blogspot.com/

The interview is here: http://www.kroq.com/kevinandbean/sounds.html

The $cientologist bit is in part two of the interview.

[ourmaninBusan]

Maybe "Katherine McPhee" is her show-biz pseudonym...

[Wonderwoman]

I wonder what this cult provides for these stars that the stars cannot provide for themselves. I truly do not understand the attraction at all.

[Lobelia]

*steps up to podium*

ahem

People are attracted to philosophies, organizations, groups, religions, practices, etc. that help them to make sense of the world. We all want things to make sense. We label, sort & categorize everything so that the world isn't confusing or scary.

To me, Scientologists used to be like the cool kids in high school, until the internet helped to expose their wackiness. What made those kids "cool?" Well, they believed they were cool, or they acted like they believed it, so most of the herd believed it, too. People are attracted to confidence. Confident people appear to have made sense of the world. The Co$ has a sort of elitist air, and people want to feel elite.

Before the exposure, these terrribly confident & self-possessed people were able to seduce a potential member with promises of power, enlightenment, complete self-control as well as control of others. If you were on drugs, they'd get you clean. Problems? They'd help you solve them. You could look around you and see that they had money and power, which always lends an air of credibility.

If you weren't religious in a traditional sense, here was your chance to belong to a strong & powerful organization which would unlock the secrets of life for you, the recruit. If you were religious in a traditional sense, they lied & told you that the Co$ was compatible with your religion, and would enhance it.

I can see how people would be attracted to the Co$ if they didn't know all the crazy stuff. I also imagine that some of the things they teach are genuinely helpful in daily life. My impression is that they keep members wanting more, as if the bigger & better & more powerful secrets are just beyond. You have just a little bit farther to go....... Here, let me help you find your checkbook.....

Why ANYONE would join now, knowing everything that is common knowledge, is beyond me. Maybe they think they'll get to meet movie stars.

[twitchy]

Oh no, the movie stars are carefully insulated in their celebrity centre and ordinary scientologists NEVER interact with them. There! I hope that helps destroy the last reason for anybody joining this cult!

[Bellatheball]

Poor Katie is probably thinking of how different her life would have turned out if only Tom had known about Katharine long ago. Maybe she would have been the pillow's mother instead. It'd have saved all of the brainwashing.