Honestly, the internet has a weird obsession with Katharine McPhee and David Foster. Whenever their names pop up, it’s usually followed by someone doing the math on their 35-year age difference. People act like they just met yesterday in some scandalous whirlwind, but the reality is way more boring—and way more musical—than the tabloids want you to believe.
They’ve been a "thing" for a while now. By 2026, they aren’t just a headline; they’re a full-blown brand. From their "An Intimate Evening" tour dates selling out across the country to their son Rennie basically becoming a viral drum prodigy before he even hit kindergarten, they’ve settled into a rhythm that works for them. Even if it doesn't always make sense to the rest of us.
The American Idol Meeting You Probably Forgot
Most people think this started on a red carpet in 2018. Wrong.
It actually started in 2006. Back when American Idol was the only thing anyone watched on Tuesday nights, a 21-year-old Katharine McPhee was a contestant, and David Foster was the guest mentor helping her through Whitney Houston’s "I Have Nothing."
Funny enough, Foster actually co-wrote that song.
There’s old footage where he tells the cameras she has a "great, great future." It wasn't romantic back then—not even close. In fact, David was at Katharine’s first wedding to Nick Cokas in 2008. He literally sat at the piano and played while she serenaded her then-husband. Talk about a "small world" moment that aged in a very unexpected way.
📖 Related: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
Why the Age Gap Still Dominates the Conversation
Look, David is 76 now. Katharine is 41.
In Hollywood, that’s a Tuesday. But because David has been married four times before (including to Yolanda Hadid), the "trophy wife" narrative was slapped on them immediately. Katharine has been pretty blunt about it, though. On the Informed Pregnancy podcast, she admitted she totally gets why people judge them at first glance.
"Things are never as they appear," she said.
She wasn't some starlet looking for a producer to pay her bills. By the time they got together in 2017, she’d already starred in Smash and lead the Broadway cast of Waitress. David, for his part, has joked that there are a million things that can ruin a marriage, and age is just one of them.
The Post-Baby Backlash
Things got a little spicy in 2021 after their son Rennie was born. David posted a photo of Katharine in a bikini with the caption "What baby!" and the internet absolutely lost its mind.
👉 See also: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
People called it "tone-deaf" and "misogynistic," especially considering Katharine has been open about her past struggles with eating disorders. But Katharine didn’t need saving. She jumped into the comments to tell everyone to calm down, basically saying she loved the compliment and wasn't offended. It was a classic case of the public being more outraged than the person actually involved.
Life in 2026: More Than Just a Power Couple
If you look at their 2026 schedule, they are working harder than most people half their age. Their current tour isn’t just a concert; it’s basically a comedy show mixed with a Greatest Hits reel. David plays the songs he wrote for Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, and Katharine sings them while making fun of how many times he’s been married.
It’s self-aware. That’s probably why it works.
- The Rennie Factor: Their son, Rennie David Foster, is already a better drummer than most adults. He went viral at age three for playing with David’s professional touring drummer, JR Robinson.
- The Business Side: They aren't just performing; they’re heavily involved in the David Foster Foundation, which helps families needing organ transplants.
- The Music: They released a two-part Christmas album series (Christmas Songs) that has basically become a holiday staple for people who like that classic, polished Foster sound.
What Most People Miss About Their Dynamic
It’s easy to look at the photos and see a legendary producer and a beautiful singer. But if you watch them live, the dynamic is very "old-school variety show."
Katharine handles the modern pop sensibilities, and David handles the "Maestro" energy. She’s mentioned in interviews how she’s constantly amazed by the soulful music he produced for artists like Brandy and Monica back in the day, asking him how "this little white kid from Canada" got so much soul.
✨ Don't miss: Birth Date of Pope Francis: Why Dec 17 Still Matters for the Church
They don't ignore the gap. They lean into it.
The Reality of Being "The Fosters"
Marriage is hard. Marriage with a 35-year age gap and a toddler while you're both in the public eye is probably harder. Katharine has mentioned that David’s parenting style is a bit "old-fashioned," which makes sense given his other five children are all grown adults.
But they seem to have navigated the transition from "mentor and student" to "partners" without the wheels falling off. Whether you find the age difference "dicey" or not, they’ve outlasted most of the couples who were trending when they first went public.
If you’re looking to follow their lead—not necessarily the "marry your mentor" part, but the "longevity" part—the takeaway is pretty simple. Stop worrying about the optics. If the person you're with makes you better at what you do and keeps you laughing, the comments section doesn't really matter.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check their 2026 tour schedule for "An Intimate Evening"—dates are currently running through Florida and California.
- Listen to "Christmas Songs" (Part 1 and 2) if you want to hear the technical precision David brings to Katharine’s vocals.
- Support the David Foster Foundation to see the philanthropic side of their partnership that doesn't get as much airtime as the age gap.