Former American Idol Star Admits Bulimia Battle

With Paula gone and Ellen getting ready to join a cranky Simon, American Idol fans are all a flutter as a new season begins. Just in time, former Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee bares her bikini body for the February issue of Shape, which will be released on newsstands Monday.

In the magazine, she speaks frankly about her seven-year struggle with bulimia. “The more I focused on my weight, the worse my bulimia got,” she says. “Now I’m more easygoing. I stopped fighting myself and became more forgiving of my body. Ironically, the weight came off naturally through exercise, but no dieting.”

When Katharine received the news she made it to the final twelve girls of the competition, she decided it was time to face the eating disorder of bulimia that was ruining her most valuable attribute – her vocal cords. At her worst point, McPhee binged and purged as many as seven times a day.

Now, the American Idol star hopes she can be an example to others struggling with body issues. “Don’t try to be a size you’re not naturally,” advises McPhee.

“The important thing is that you feed your body, eat good food and let yourself have little splurges here and there!”