Katharine McPhee says that good communication has been the key to her marriage to David Foster.
The songstress, 39, told E! News on Monday that 'therapy' and 'a good therapist' have been pivotal in their four-year marriage, in which they are parents to two-year-old son Rennie.
The one-time American Idol contestant said that a third party can also come in handy in her marriage with the Grammy-winning producer.
'Or that you just have someone in your life or another couple in your life that is helpful when there's discord, disagreements,' said McPhee, who tied the knot in June of 2019 with Foster. 'I really feel like you can talk through most everything, but you have to have the language, the vocabulary to do that.
'So that takes practice and self-awareness and having skills to facilitate those conversations.'
McPhee, who first crossed paths with Foster in 2006 when he was a mentor on the Fox singing competition before they connected years later, said that music is a critical element to their relationship, as they met in 'a recording studio' and 'in a work environment.'
She said: 'That's truly where we know each other the best is knowing the ease, and the greatness, and the way he works and just always gets the best thing out of people.'
She said that their toddler son has been 'talking up a storm' and playing with a children's drum set.
'I would say that the drumming thing has been a continuous theme in his life since he was 14 months, but he's hit another level in his drumming that is really impressive,' McPhee said. 'People have been more impressed than I think we have been.
'We're like, "Oh yeah, he really loves it. It's good. We don't know if it'll be a real thing." But now I'm going, "Hmmm, this might be a real thing."'
McPhee said that she and Foster were 'not pushing' the child toward music.
'I would love for him to follow in his dad's footsteps and just be really well-versed in all different types of musical instruments,' she said. 'Obviously, he's 2 and a half ... we're just letting him do his thing.
'But, I would love for him to have a working understanding of all instruments a lot like his dad. I think he's on his way - that's for sure.'
Last month, Foster said that McPhee has been 'managing' emotionally in the wake of the tragic death of their family nanny Yadira Calito in a car crash in August.
'It's been tough for her,' Foster said of his spouse in a joint interview for Entertainment Tonight September 14.
Foster said that 'it's been tough' for McPhee in the wake of Calito's death, as McPhee prematurely departed their musical tour August 11, citing a 'horrible tragedy.'
McPhee thanked her husband for speaking on her behalf about the emotional issue.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Calito was fatally struck by a vehicle August 9 while she was at a Toyota dealership service center in Mission Hills, California.
Police said that an 84-year-old woman driving a Toyota RAV4 careened into the building, hitting Calito and multiple other people inside.
Calito was pronounced dead at the hospital while two employees at the dealership were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, authorities said.
The driver did not suffer any injuries in the incident, authorities said.
Foster and McPhee have resumed their tour since she took a break following the tragic death of Calito, who took care of their couple's two-year-old son, Rennie Foster.
McPhee at the time released a statement saying that she was leaving the tour early in the wake of the horrific incident.
'Dearest Jakarta fans, it's with heavy heart I announce I have to miss our final two shows of our Asia run,' she said. 'David and I have had a horrible tragedy in our family and at least one of us need to get back home to our family.
'Please know how sorry I am and how much I wish to return one day and perform for you all. Love Katharine.'
A source told the outlet last month that the celeb couple had been 'devastated by her passing' and 'willing to do anything they can for their [Calito's] family during this very difficult time.'
Foster and McPhee 'just want to be there for her loved ones however they can be and support them through this,' said the source.
An online obituary for Calito said that she was survived by her 'fiancé Jamie; children Diana, Luis, Juan and Pamela; and 8 grandchildren and 3 more that are on the way.'
The memorial continued: 'Yaya’s journey through life was marked by her strength, love for family, and an unwavering passion for helping others,' adding that she 'dedicated 20+ years of her life to service many families as a dedicated and loving nanny.
'She leaves behind a family that loved her dearly and will forever cherish the moments they shared.'
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