Katharine McPhee

Born in 1984 to a TV-producer father and a vocal-coach mother, Katharine McPhee was destined to be a singer and actress. The L.A. native started early, regularly performing in school productions before attending college as a musical-theater major. She dropped out to try her luck professionally, with minor success. McPhee finally got her big break in 2006, as a contestant on the fifth season of 'American Idol.' The striking brunette with the beautiful voice caused "McPheever" among her multitude of fans, but she finished second to that season's winner, Taylor Hicks. Her 'Idol' single, 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny,' was the second-best-selling song of the year. Among her many TV and movie appearances, she starred as showbiz hopeful Karen Cartwright on the short-lived series 'Smash.'

Selected discography: ‘Katharine McPhee’ (2007), ‘Unbroken’ (2010), ‘Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You’ (2010)

Related artists: Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks

Further reading: Katharine McPhee’s Celebrity Look Alike, Then + Now: ‘American Idol’ Winners, Favorite ‘American Idol’ Winner Poll

‘Smash’ Star Katharine McPhee Covers Florence + the Machine

Katharine McPhee took on a tall order: Florence + the Machine! The 'Smash' star covers 'Shake It Out' on an upcoming episode of the NBC hit.

Jessica Sager

Watch a ‘Smash’ Sneak Peek of ‘Redneck’ Katharine McPhee

On 'Smash,' city girl Katharine McPhee plays a country girl trying to become a city girl as she enters the competitive world of Broadway theater. Next week's episode finds McPhee's character embracing her "redneck" side as she performs in a karaoke bar.

Scott Shetler

Katharine McPhee Talks ‘Smash’ on ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’

Katharine McPhee stopped by 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' on Friday to talk about her Broadway-themed show 'Smash,' as well as her misadventures on the Staten Island Ferry while filming in New York City.

Scott Shetler

Katharine McPhee Performs Original ’20th Century Fox Mambo’ in New ‘Smash’ Clip

Katharine McPhee is starring in the new NBC series 'Smash,'and now the 'American Idol' alum is showing off her dancing skills in a brand-new clip from the show.

Nadine Cheung

‘Smash’ Cast Covers Blondie’s ‘Call Me’ in ‘Callbacks’ Episode

This Monday (Feb. 13) on 'Smash,' Ivy and Karen (Katharine McPhee) are faced with the agonizing but exciting phenomenon that is the second callback audition. In the episode, aptly named 'Callbacks,' McPhee covers Blondie's 'Call Me.'

Jessica Sager

Katharine McPhee Shows Her Stripes on Self Cover

NBC's 'Smash' is turning out to be a real career resurgence for singer/actress Katharine McPhee. The 27-year-old brunette stunner recently showed off her gams in a tub for GQ and she's followed that steamy spread by nabbing the cover of the March issue of Self.

Amy Sciarretto

Katharine McPhee Cleans Up Nice in GQ Spread

Gentlemen, start your engines.

Amy Sciarretto

Katharine McPhee to Sing Florence + the Machine, Blondie Covers on Second Episode of ‘Smash’

Katharine McPhee's new NBC series 'Smash' kicks off tonight at 10PM ET on NBC and this beautiful and talented former 'American Idol' contestant gets to perform originals and covers on the series. There is always at least one original on the show and a few covers, which must be artistically fulfilling for her as the star.

Amy Sciarretto

‘Smash’ Cast, ‘Let Me Be Your Star’ – Song Review

Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty sound like stars on 'Let Me Be Your Star,' a song from the pilot episode of the upcoming Broadway-themed musical drama 'Smash.'

Scott Shetler

Watch a Clip of Katharine McPhee Performing Ryan Tedder’s ‘Touch Me’ on ‘Smash’

It doesn't seem possible, but it really has been six years since hundreds of thousands of 'American Idol' fans caught a McPheever for Katharine McPhee -- and although she's released a handful of albums since finishing her tenure as a contestant on the show, it's her co-starring role on NBC's 'Smash' that has people talking about a comeback for the 27-year-old singer/actress. Now you can hear a qui

Jeff Giles