Katharine McPhee

A household name to fans of the reality series American Idol, Katharine McPhee participated as a contestant in that program's 2006 season, drawing recognition and widespread praise for the range and mellifluousness of her classically trained voice within the context of traditional pop. Though the young diva officially lost the competition to vocalist Taylor Hicks, the accolades that she garnered from hypercritical judge Simon Cowell (in particular) served as a testament to her ability and made viewers sit up and take notice, while the extent of her popularity on Idol promised a long and viable career as an entertainer.

A native of Sherman Oaks, CA, Katharine was born in 1984, and received extensive formal training as a vocalist under the aegis of her mother, established singer Peisha McPhee. Musical performance and drama characterized Katharine's childhood and adolescent years, but she first began to take serious career interest in the arts while enrolled as a musical theater major at the esteemed Boston Conservatory. Within a few semesters, however, the blossoming performer grew restless and dropped out of school, taking off for the film studios and theaters of Los Angeles. She landed a role in the 2006 musical biopic Crazy, participated in an MTV series that failed to make it to the air, and essayed roles in productions of Annie Get Your Gun and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Idol, of course, represented McPhee's breakthrough, and shortly thereafter (in the fall of 2006) the young diva began recording her eponymous debut album; it hit shelves in early 2007. She also signed for feature roles in the films I Know What Boys Like (2008) and The Last Caller (2009). - Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide