Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Katharine McPhee
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Katharine McPhee made an impact.
Katharine Hope McPhee is an American actress and singer. She gained prominence as the runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol in May 2006. Her career spans both music and acting, establishing her as a notable figure in the entertainment industry.
March 2005: Starred in "Annie Get Your Gun"
In March 2005, Katharine McPhee starred as Annie Oakley in a Cabrillo Music Theater production of the musical Annie Get Your Gun.
2005: American Idol Audition
In 2005, Katharine McPhee auditioned for American Idol in San Francisco, singing "God Bless the Child," marking the start of her journey on the show.
May 2006: American Idol Runner-Up
In May 2006, Katharine McPhee was the runner-up on the fifth season of American Idol, marking a significant moment in her early career.
June 6, 2006: Signing with 19 Recordings and RCA Records
On June 6, 2006, Katharine McPhee signed with American Idol series creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited and Sony BMG's RCA Records, solidifying her entry into the music industry.
June 27, 2006: Release of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny"
On June 27, 2006, Katharine McPhee's Idol single, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/My Destiny," was released by RCA Records.
November 7, 2006: Duet with Andrea Bocelli Released
On November 7, 2006, Katharine McPhee's duet with Andrea Bocelli on "Can't Help Falling in Love" was released on his Under the Desert Sky album, a CD/DVD package.
2006: Endorsement Deal and Charity Foundation
In 2006, Katharine McPhee signed an endorsement deal with Sexy Hair Concepts and founded McPhee Outreach, a charity focused on helping other foundations and organizations.
January 2007: Debut Album Release
In January 2007, Katharine McPhee's self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records, and it debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
January 30, 2007: Debut Album Release
On January 30, 2007, Katharine McPhee's self-titled debut album, Katharine McPhee, was released, selling 116,000 copies its first week and debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart.
February 1, 2007: Ugly Betty Cameo
On February 1, 2007, Katharine McPhee made a cameo appearance as herself on Ugly Betty in the episode "I'm Coming Out".
2007: Role in "Crazy"
In 2007, Katharine McPhee had a small role as Paramount Girl in the musical film Crazy, based on the life of Hank Garland.
January 11, 2008: Released from RCA Records
On January 11, 2008, it was reported that Katharine McPhee had been released from her contract with RCA Records, marking a shift in her music career path.
March 11, 2008: Appears on Randy Jackson's Album
On March 11, 2008, Katharine McPhee appeared on American Idol judge Randy Jackson's album Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1.
March 12, 2008: Returns to American Idol Stage
On March 12, 2008, Katharine McPhee returned to the American Idol stage during the Top 12 results night of the seventh season, performing "Something" with David Foster.
March 2008: Neutrogena Spokesperson and Commercial Filming
In March 2008, Katharine McPhee signed an endorsement deal with Neutrogena and filmed her first commercial for their anti-acne skin-care line.
May 2008: David Foster Tribute Concert
In May 2008, Katharine McPhee took part in the David Foster tribute concert Hit Man: David Foster & Friends, soloing on "Somewhere" and performing "The Prayer" with Andrea Bocelli.
June 2008: Japan Airlines Promotion
Starting in June 2008, Katharine McPhee's vocals were featured on "I Will Be There With You," recorded with David Foster for Japan Airlines (JAL) to promote new aircraft on US flights.
August 2008: Release of "The House Bunny"
In August 2008, Katharine McPhee made her studio-acting debut in the comedy The House Bunny, playing one of the members of a misfit sorority.
September 2008: Chris Botti Concert
In September 2008, Katharine McPhee took part in Chris Botti's concert, which was filmed by PBS in Boston.
November 2008: Hit Man: David Foster & Friends CD/DVD Release
In November 2008, the CD/DVD of the David Foster tribute concert Hit Man: David Foster & Friends, featuring Katharine McPhee, was released.
2008: "Over It" Certified Gold
In 2008, Katharine McPhee's single, "Over It," was certified gold, marking a success from her debut album.
January 2009: Chris Botti Concert Airs on PBS
Beginning in January 2009, Chris Botti's concert, featuring Katharine McPhee, aired on PBS.
January 27, 2009: Signs with Verve Forecast Records
On January 27, 2009, Katharine McPhee signed a record deal with Verve Forecast Records, a part of the Verve Music Group under Universal Music Group.
March 31, 2009: Chris Botti in Boston Album Release
On March 31, 2009, the live album Chris Botti in Boston, featuring Katharine McPhee, was released on CD/DVD and Blu-ray.
April 8, 2009: Guest Star on CSI: NY
On April 8, 2009, Katharine McPhee guest-starred on CSI: NY in the episode "Prey" as a singer and stalker victim who murdered her stalker.
August 25, 2009: "Had It All" Release
On August 25, 2009, "Had It All", the first single from Katharine McPhee's second album "Unbroken", was released to her MySpace page.
September 2009: Tribute to Lionel Richie
In September 2009, Katharine McPhee took part in the United Negro College Fund's "An Evening of Stars" concert as a tribute to singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, singing "You Are".
October 2009: Slumber Party Video
In October 2009, Katharine McPhee joined actresses in a video slumber party to promote breast-cancer screenings for Stand Up to Cancer.
November 17, 2009: Christmas Single Release
On November 17, 2009, Katharine McPhee released a Christmas single titled "I'll Be Home for Christmas".
January 5, 2010: Release of "Unbroken" Album
On January 5, 2010, Katharine McPhee released her second album, Unbroken, on Verve Forecast Records, which debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200.
Jan 19, 2010: Appearance on The Biggest Loser
On Jan 19, 2010, Katharine McPhee appeared on The Biggest Loser volunteering at a food bank and talking about fighting hunger.
February 1, 2010: "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"
On February 1, 2010, Katharine McPhee joined other musicians for a remake of "We Are the World" for Haitian earthquake relief.
February 22, 2010: Appearance in "110 Stories"
On February 22, 2010, Katharine McPhee co-starred in the production of "110 Stories" at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, a benefit to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake, with proceeds going to the Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles.
March 11, 2010: Guest Starring on Community
On March 11, 2010, Katharine McPhee guest-starred on "Community" in the episode "Basic Genealogy" as Chevy Chase's character's ex-stepdaughter and a potential love interest.
April 9, 2010: Filming TV pilot "The Pink House"
On April 9, 2010, Katharine McPhee filmed the TV pilot for "The Pink House", in which she played Emily, a Midwestern girl new to Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles. The pilot, produced by Conan O'Brien's company, was not picked up by NBC.
May 4, 2010: Premiere of "Terrified" featuring Zachary Levi
On May 4, 2010, a new version of the song "Terrified" from the Unbroken album, featuring actor Zachary Levi, premiered on Entertainment Weekly's website and was available for purchase on iTunes.
May 7, 2010: Music video premiere of "Terrified"
On May 7, 2010, the accompanying music video for "Terrified" featuring Zachary Levi premiered on the music video website Vevo.
October 12, 2010: Release of "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You"
On October 12, 2010, Katharine McPhee released her Christmas album titled "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You".
October 2010: Release of Christmas Album
In October 2010, Katharine McPhee released her third album, the holiday-themed Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You.
November 9, 2010: Release of "Love's Never Leavin'"
On November 9, 2010, Chelsea Field's song "Love's Never Leavin'", co-written by Katharine McPhee, was released on iTunes to benefit the Tammany Humane Society.
December 15, 2010: St. Jude's Thanks and Giving Campaign video release
On December 15, 2010, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital released a video for their Thanks and Giving Campaign featuring Katharine McPhee interacting with patients at the hospital, with her song "Lifetime" as the soundtrack.
December 2010: Debut Album Sales Update
As of December 2010, Katharine McPhee's debut album had sold 381,000 copies.
2010: "An Evening of Stars" Broadcast
In 2010, the "An Evening of Stars" concert, featuring Katharine McPhee's tribute to Lionel Richie, was broadcast in syndication and on BET.
January 2011: Christmas Album Sales Update
As of January 2011, Katharine McPhee's Christmas album had sold 23,000 copies.
February 2011: Landing Starring Role in "Smash" Pilot
In February 2011, Katharine McPhee landed a starring role in the TV pilot "Smash", alongside Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston.
May 2011: "Smash" Picked Up as a Series
In May 2011, NBC picked up "Smash" as a series, a musical drama following characters putting on a Broadway musical inspired by Marilyn Monroe.
June 9, 2011: Signing with Columbia Records
On June 9, 2011, Katharine McPhee signed a record deal with Columbia Records, partnering with NBC to distribute the music for "Smash".
September 2, 2011: Release of "Shark Night 3D"
On September 2, 2011, Katharine McPhee co-starred in the release of director David Ellis' shark thriller indie film, "Shark Night 3D".
December 2011: Spokesperson for Malaria No More
In December 2011, Katharine McPhee became a spokesperson for the Malaria No More organization to raise awareness about the campaign to eradicate malaria.
February 6, 2012: Debut of "Smash"
On February 6, 2012, NBC debuted "Smash" in midseason 2011-12 to generally favorable reviews.
March 26, 2012: "Smash" Renewed for Second Season
On March 26, 2012, the TV series "Smash", starring Katharine McPhee, was renewed for a second season.
April 1, 2012: Voice-over role in Family Guy
On April 1, 2012, Katharine McPhee recorded a voice-over for the "Family Guy" episode "You Can't Do That on Television, Peter", playing the voice of Mother Maggie.
June 8, 2012: Limited Release of "Peace, Love & Misunderstanding"
On June 8, 2012, Katharine McPhee had a cameo role as a singer performing at a festival in the movie "Peace, Love & Misunderstanding", which had a limited release.
August 29, 2012: "You May Not Kiss the Bride" Premiere in Hawaii
On August 29, 2012, the film "You May Not Kiss the Bride", starring Katharine McPhee, premiered in Hawaii.
September 21, 2012: "You May Not Kiss the Bride" Released Theatrically
On September 21, 2012, "You May Not Kiss the Bride", starring Katharine McPhee, was released theatrically in several mainland markets including Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
2012: Starred in Smash
In 2012, Katharine McPhee portrayed Karen Cartwright, one of the lead roles on Smash.
March 28, 2013: Performance on American Idol
On March 28, 2013, Katharine McPhee returned to the American Idol stage and performed with OneRepublic on the 12th season top-eight results show, lending guest vocals to "If I Lose Myself".
2013: Starred in Smash
In 2013, Katharine McPhee continued to portray Karen Cartwright, one of the lead roles on Smash.
April 20, 2014: Broadcast of "In My Dreams"
On April 20, 2014, the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "In My Dreams", starring Katharine McPhee and Mike Vogel, was broadcast.
May 9, 2014: "Scorpion" Picked Up by CBS
On May 9, 2014, CBS picked up "Scorpion", starring Katharine McPhee as Paige Dineen.
September 22, 2014: "Scorpion" Debut
On September 22, 2014, CBS debuted "Scorpion", starring Katharine McPhee, as part of the 2014-15 fall TV season.
2014: Starred in Scorpion
In 2014, Katharine McPhee began starring as Paige Dineen in Scorpion on CBS.
April 9, 2015: Teasing Music Video Release
On April 9, 2015, Katharine McPhee teased the upcoming music video of the first single from her fourth album on Instagram.
September 2015: Release of "Hysteria" Album
In September 2015, Katharine McPhee released her fourth album, titled Hysteria.
September 18, 2015: Release of "Hysteria" album
On September 18, 2015, Katharine McPhee's fourth studio album, "Hysteria" was released as scheduled.
March 24, 2016: Returns to American Idol to Perform "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
On March 24, 2016, Katharine McPhee returned to American Idol and performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
April 7, 2016: Appears on Lip Sync Battle and Wins
On April 7, 2016, Katharine McPhee appeared on "Lip Sync Battle", where she performed against Jason Derulo and won.
November 4, 2017: Stars in "The Lost Wife of Robert Durst"
On November 4, 2017, Katharine McPhee starred in the Lifetime TV movie "The Lost Wife of Robert Durst", portraying Robert Durst's first wife Kathie.
November 2017: Release of Jazz Standards Album
In November 2017, Katharine McPhee released her fifth album, I Fall in Love Too Easily, composed of jazz standards.
November 17, 2017: Release of "I Fall in Love Too Easily"
On November 17, 2017, Katharine McPhee released "I Fall in Love Too Easily", a collection of romantic standards, via BMG. The first single, "Night and Day", was made available for free via streaming.
April 10, 2018: Broadway Debut in "Waitress"
On April 10, 2018, Katharine McPhee made her Broadway debut in the lead female role of Jenna in "Waitress", playing the role through August 19, 2018.
May 11, 2018: Release of "Living in the Moment"
On May 11, 2018, the song "Living in the Moment", written by Carole Bayer Sager, Jay Landers, and Walter Afanasieff as the theme for the movie "Book Club", was released.
August 19, 2018: Final Performance of "Waitress" on Broadway
August 19, 2018, was Katharine McPhee's final performance of the role as Jenna in the broadway musical "Waitress".
2018: Broadway Debut in Waitress
In 2018, Katharine McPhee made her Broadway debut in the musical Waitress, assuming the role of Jenna.
November 25, 2019: Return to "Waitress" on Broadway
On November 25, 2019, Katharine McPhee returned to the Broadway production of "Waitress" and remained with the show until its final performance on January 5, 2020.
2019: West End and Broadway Roles in Waitress
In 2019, Katharine McPhee originated the role of Jenna in the West End production of Waitress and subsequently returned to Broadway in the same role.
January 5, 2020: Final Performance in "Waitress"
On January 5, 2020, Katharine McPhee gave her final performance as Jenna in "Waitress" as it was the show's final Broadway show.
2020: Broadway Role in Waitress
In 2020, Katharine McPhee continued her role as Jenna in Waitress on Broadway.
2021: Country Comfort & The Masked Singer
In 2021, Katharine McPhee starred as Bailey in Country Comfort. In 2021, she and her husband David Foster competed in season six of The Masked Singer as "Banana Split", with McPhee as the singing ice cream and Foster as the instrument-playing banana. They were eliminated in the Group B Finale.
October 28, 2022: Jingle Bell Rock Release
On October 28, 2022, Katharine McPhee and David Foster digitally released "Jingle Bell Rock", the first single from their Christmas EP.
November 2022: KMF Jewelry Line Release
In November 2022, Katharine McPhee launched her jewelry line, KMF Jewelry.
November 25, 2022: Christmas Songs EP Release
On November 25, 2022, Katharine McPhee and David Foster released their Christmas EP, "Christmas Songs", consisting of seven songs.
