Katharine McPhee Movies
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
- 2009
The Last Caller stars American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee as a young woman attempting to find love with the help of her slightly egotistical friends and acquaintances. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katharine McPhee
When Playboy playmate Shelley (Anna Faris) is unceremoniously evicted from Hugh Hefner's lavish mansion in order to make room for some younger beauties, her quest for employment finds her serving as den mother to an unpopular L.A. sorority in this Happy Madison production directed by Fred Wolf. Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee, Monet Mazur, and Beverly D'Angelo co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, (more)
- 2008
The true story of one of Nashville's most innovative instrumentalists comes to the screen in this biographical drama based on the life of Hank Garland. Garland (played by Waylon Payne) was a gifted guitarist who rose among the ranks of aspiring country music stars to become one of Music City's busiest session players. Garland performed and recorded with the likes of Patsy Cline (Mandy Barnett), Roy Orbison (Brian Jones) and Elvis Presley (Jason Alan Smith), and Garland's musical interests went beyond country and pop; he loved jazz, and inspired by Wes Montgomery, he intended to bridge the gap between country and jazz, forming a jazz combo and cutting a celebrated album called Jazz Winds From A New Direction. But Garland was also a deeply troubled man; his passion for music could seem obsessive to many who worked with him, he had a short fuse when it came to people he felt were taking advantage of his talents, and his womanizing ways led him into a ill-fated relationship with Evelyn (Ali Larter), who discovered too late that she had many rivals for his affections, with music at the top of the list. However, it was neither a sour relationship nor an unappreciative audience that caused the tragedy that ended Garland's career before its time. Crazy was the first feature film from director Rick Bieber. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Waylon Payne, Ali Larter, (more)
