“American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee is the cover girl of “Shape” magazine. The standard “bikini while standing in a pool of water” pose was her choice, and she looks great – bleach job aside. Honestly, the best thing this girl had going for her was her long, beautiful chestnut hair, and now she’s hacked it off and bleached it blond. Why? Anyway, Katharine talks about her 7-year battle with bulimia in the issue, and also how she is dealing with ongoing depression with the help of a support group.

Katharine McPhee opens up about her 7-year battle with bulimia in the February issue of Shape magazine.

“The more I focused on my weight, the worse my bulimia got,” says the American Idol runner-up, 25. “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.”

McPhee says she no longer pays attention to how many pounds she weighs.

“At my last physical, the nurse took my vitals and said, ‘Wow, you must be taking care of yourself! Your blood pressure is perfect. You’re very healthy,’” she says. “Hearing her say that made me feel better then seeing an ‘ideal’ number on the scale.”

While she’s adapting a healthier body image, McPhee still battles depression.

“I’ve tried writing down affirmations, but that doesn’t work for me,” she explains. Every Monday, she attends a women’s group meeting organized by her church where everyone reveals their highs and lows of the week.

“This exercise is so cool because it allows me to reflect on where I am in my life, and also to hear what others are going through,” she says. “When we’re done, I feel more connected to the world and not so lonely. It’s the best way to start my week.”

[From Us Weekly]

It sounds like Katharine is in a happy place these days, although I have to wonder how she kept her issues hidden when she was on TV every week during “Idol.” She always seemed so happy and upbeat, and she looked great. One would have never imagined she was dealing with an eating disorder and depression at the time. Nothing against Katharine, but I always considered that particular season of the show a big joke, with that “Soul Patrol” guy winning. What was his name?

Shape cover courtesy of CoverAwards.

“American Idol” season five runner-up Katharine McPhee, 23, got married to her boyfriend of nearly three years Nick Cokas, 42, at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church on Saturday. The pair never officially announced their engagement, though “sources” said they were engaged in November, and the pair were caught checking out wedding cakes in May. Several of McPhee’s fellow “American Idol” contestants attended the wedding, including Kellie Pickler and Mandisa.

“(Nick) is the love of my life,” McPhee gushed to PEOPLE. “This is a once in a lifetime occasion and everything is just perfect.”

McPhee wore a strapless ivory Manuel Mota gown and Neil Lane jewels (diamond and platinum chandelier earrings and diamond and platinum bracelets), while Cokas wore an Armani tuxedo. Fellow season five Idol contestants Kellie Pickler and Mandisa were among the 305 guests on hand for the nuptials.

McPhee and Cokas met in 2005 when they performed in a Los Angeles theater production of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Their union began as a friendship and blossomed when McPhee auditioned for American Idol later that year.

The two quietly got engaged last year when Cokas presented her with a custom-designed round brilliant cut platinum and diamond engagement ring.

[From People]

The service was 45 minutes long and included a gospel choir. Katharine’s bridesmaids wore floor-length pink dresses, and the church was filled with peach, white, pinks, and purple roses along with pink cherry blossoms and green hydrangeas. It sounds like they went all out. I really hope we get to see wedding photos soon. I’m sure Katharine made a gorgeous bride.

Though Katharine’s husband Nick Cokas is 19 years her senior, he’s definitely not her sugar daddy. He’s a broadway actor who also founded a small production company. Though Katharine seems a little on the younger side for getting married, they’ve been together long enough, and they always seem happy when they’re photographed out and about. Congrats to them both!

Picture Note by JayBird: Header image (the only photo available so far of the wedding) thanks to Splash. Here’s Katharine and Nick

American Idol runner-up and all-around hottie Katharine McPhee, 23, is engaged to her boyfriend of over a year, Nick Cokas, 42. Even if you’re an “Age ain’t nothing but a number” sort, there’s something kinda creepy about Cokas. Probably the way he emerged around the time she was on American Idol and hangs off her like a monkey. There’s a lot of PDA there. Or maybe it’s because he should have a little more shame since he could be her dad. I’m kidding. I think it’s the hairline. Whoops, kidding about that one too. Cokas took McPhee to her original American Idol audition, which is where they fell in love. And she says their age difference has never been a problem, because Cokas is so fun. Awwww.

American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee is engaged to actor Nick Cokas, sources tell PEOPLE. McPhee, 23, recently has been showing off a ring from Cokas, 42. They have been dating for more than a year. “Katharine is bubbling over with excitement for her upcoming wedding,” a source says. “She is all smiles when she talks about the planning. It sounds like everything is going very smoothly.”

The couple met in 2005 when they performed in a Los Angeles theater production of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Their union began as a friendship, McPhee told PEOPLE last year. “He took me up to my San Francisco (Idol) audition,” McPhee said. That’s when their relationship blossomed. “We totally fell in love,” she said.

As for the 19-year age difference, McPhee says that “was never really a concern.” The two connect because “he just makes things really fun” and “we love business. We love going to meetings together and create things together.” Case in point: the two will join forces on an upcoming independent film titled The Last Caller. McPhee will star in the dark romantic comedy and Cokas will produce.

[From People]

Katharine and Nick were caught checking out wedding cakes last May, so it seems like marriage has been on their minds for a while now. Celebitchy first reported on their relationship in June of ’06 when the couple were seen out and about in New York City. She noted that Cokas is the co-founder of the Zenith film group, which produced plays for the New York Fringe Festival. The couple seem a little mismatched to me, but they’ve been together for a while now and must have a good feeling about their relationship. Congrats to them both.