SMASH STAR BULIMIA BATTLE

KATHARINE MCPHEE

KATHARINE  MCPHEE is riding high on the new hit TV show “Smash,” but friends and family fear the pres­sure could trigger a return of the bu­limia problem that nearly destroyed her career!

The talented 27- year-old has spoken openly about her de­cade-long battle with the deadly disease, and she sought in­tensive treatment for it in 2005.

Now she’s para­noid about staying in shape for “Smash,” insiders say, and her husband, actor Nick Cokas, and co-star Debra Messing are making sure she’s eat­ing properly.

“Katharine has been wait­ing for years to land a breakout role like the one on ‘Smash,’ ” an insider said. “But she’s well aware of Hollywood’s emphasis on being thin, and she wants to look her best.

“Those close to her worry that she might suffer a bulimia relapse, and Nick and Debra are acting as her personal nutritionists.

“Debra makes it a priority to have lunch with Katharine as often as possible and has assistants de­liver plates of fruits and veggies to her.

“Nick makes sure Katharine has a good dinner every night. He’ll either cook or have a chef come in and prepare a healthy meal.”

Katharine has admitted that her repeated bingeing and purging nearly ruined her vocal cords.

“I was bingeing my whole life away for days at a time,” the Season 5 “American Idol” contestant once said. She added that she sometimes vomited seven times a day, which was like “putting a sledgeham­mer to your vocal cords.”

To overcome her problem, she underwent three months of intense therapy sessions at Los Angeles’ Eating Disorder Center of California in October 2005.

As The ENQUIRER has reported, her bulimia had led to severe bronchitis and laryngitis, forcing her to bow out of the “American Idols Live!” tour following her stint on the show.

In “Smash,” Katharine plays a character vying for the role of Marilyn Monroe in a Broadway musical, and she’s being very cau­tious about her well-being, the insider noted.

“Katharine has been in good health for years, but she’s aware she could suffer a relapse,” said the source.

“She’s doing her best to take care of herself.”