Katharine McPhee

Katharine McPhee stars in NBC’s prime-time hit “Smash.” McPhee was introduced to the American public when she competed on Fox’s “American Idol.” McPhee’s advocacy and charity work includes McPhee Outreach, which partners with charities including St. Jude & Target House to raise funds and awareness to fight pediatric cancer; the Lollipop Theater Network to perform and teach music to hospitalized children. She also is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and is a spokeswoman for Malaria No More, an organization dedicated to ending malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. 

ROBIN BRONK: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him? What issue would you like him to know about?

KATHARINE McPHEE: I would discuss my trip to West Africa and the need for our help in the fight against malaria deaths, especially amongst young children and babies. I would share with him the photos of orphans and pregnant mothers who are desperate for a simple $10 mosquito net. Please, please, continue to stay committed to the issue. In 2012, no one should be dying from a mosquito bite. Education, nets, early detection and medication can stop it!

RB: If you were going to send the president to one of your favorite places in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

KM: Right at this moment I would have to say New York City. I have been living here since August 2011, and it took me about six months to fall in love. I think President Obama needs to spend more than a day here, as you really can’t get to know what a great city it is in one day. It has so much to offer and it is so real.

 RB: What CD/piece of music would you recommend that President Obama add to his collection? Why?

KM: That is so tough, because I like so much music. Right now, I would have to say Adele. Her music is so passionate. I love her voice.

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

KM: Too much pressure. For now I will stick to acting. [Laughs.]

Robin Bronk is CEO of The Creative Coalition — the leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Bronk is a frequent speaker on the role of the entertainment industry in public advocacy campaigns and represents The Creative Coalition and its legislative agenda before members of Congress and the White House. She produced the feature film “Poliwood,” airing on Showtime, and edited the recently published book Art & Soul. Bronk pens this weekly column with assistance from Risa Kotek.