Katharine McPhee News (Page 6)

Here's some information we've come across from around the world of American Idol. There's certainly a lot going on with our favorite stars, and we try our best to keep you updated! Below is our breakdown...

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

As you’ve probably heard, Carrie Underwood will perform at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium December 9. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

Speaking of Carrie, we caught her video for "Before He Cheats" the other day. Though she’s come a long way from her simpler American Idol days, it is still not easy to believe she's the kind of girl who would bash her boyfriend’s headlights in with a baseball bat.

Look at her! She's just too sweet! We don't buy the vengeful angle... we will, however, buy her music!

KELLIE PICKLER

Kellie Pickler’s CD, Small Town Girl, is in stores as of today! Be sure to check out our review in a separate post, coming very soon. Kellie will perform her first single, "Red High Heels" on The Tonight Show Friday.

BUCKY COVINGTON

Bucky Covington and his wife are moving to Nashville today. We hear he plans to go straight to the studio to record some tunes. Good luck, Bucky!

ACE YOUNG

The new single from Ace Young, “Scattered,” is officialy available for download on iTunes. We thought it was a little cheesy, to be sure, but it grows on you. And yes, his falsetto is on full display. As far as we know, though, Ace has not signed with any record label.

KATHARINE MCPHEE

Looks like Katharine McPhee’s a little gutsier than I gave her credit for. Katharine was scheduled to sing “Over the Rainbow” at the Carousel of Hope Gala, but when she saw Whitney Houston in the audience, she changed to “I Have Nothing.”

Considering the performance of that song that she gave on American Idol, it was certainly a testament to McPhee's courage to get up there and try it a second time. It paid off, though, as Whitney nodded her head in approval at the performance.

You might remember that Katharine (seen here with beau Nick Cokas, right, at the event in Beverly Hills) was roundly criticized by the judges after performing "I Have Nothing" On American Idol. The viewing audience, however, disagreed and voted her into the Top 2. Simon Cowell apologized to her on that week's results show.

TAYLOR HICKS

Taylor Hicks’ CD release date has been moved to December 5, which means he will be after Katharine (November 28) and on the same date as Fantasia. According to GrayCharles.com, he continues to work on his upcoming album, 75 percent of which is complete.

The producers are beginning to mix some of the songs. If you, like many of his fans, are eagerly looking forward to seeing Taylor Hicks in concert, the Soul Man will start a three-month tour in February and plans to "play lots of different size towns, even smaller ones."

Hopefully, that's going to be a town near you.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY

Chris Daughtry’s release date is still set for November 21, but he's ditching the first name thing... the release will come from Daughtry -- the Bon Jovi-esque name of his new band. Howard Benson, who worked with All-American Rejects and My Chemical Romance, is the producer. Chris says he realizes not winning Idol was better for him.

According to a blurb posted on puretonemusic.com, here are all 12 confirmed song titles (in sequence): It's Not Over, Used To, Home, Over You, Crashed, Feels Like Tonight, What I Want (featuring Slash), Breakdown, Gone, There And Back Again, All These Lives, and What About Now.

The site also reported that the song, "Sorry" will be exclusive to iTunes and the newly recorded acoustic versions of "Home" and "Crashed" will be exclusive to WalMart.

JOSH GRACIN

Josh Gracin’s next CD, All About Y’all will be released in early 2007. I was a little worried about Josh since his original release date came and went and his website had not been updated in months. His new single, "I Keep Coming Back" is from the same songwriting team that wrote "What Hurts the Most."

KIMBERLEY LOCKE

The second CD released by Kimberley Locke, Based on a True Story, will hit the shelves of record stores in March 2007. It will be great to hear what the Supawoman has in store for us then!

CLAY AIKEN

The one and only Clay Aiken is scheduled to appear on The Megan Mullally Show this Thursday, November 2.

And, as we reported last week, Clay will also appear on Days of Our Lives as himself December 22, serenading Steve and Kayla with “Everything I Have.” Clay’s version of “O, Holy Night” will also be featured in the episode.

FANTASIA BARRINO

Fantasia Barrino's single, "Hood Boy" is being released to radio. Her album is set to be released on December 12. You can listen to a stream at her MySpace. Lastly, Season 5 semi-finalist Patrick Hall releases his single "One For the Ages" tomorrow. The album, One For the Ages, will be available February 2007.

She didn't sing, but Whitney Houston's presence alone made her shine among a room full of glittering stars at Saturday's 17th Carousel of Hope Ball in Beverly Hills, Calif.

According to USA Today, it was the singer's first step back into the spotlight since seeking treatment for substance abuse and leaving longtime husband Bobby Brown.

"I feel great," said a blond Houston, wearing diamonds and black Armani, sounding more calm and focused than she has in year.

"She's looking at the light, instead of darkness," said Houston's pal and the evening's honoree, Quincy Jones, who has known Houston since she was 16.

Houston was escorted to the event by music producer Clive Davis, the night's other honoree.

"She's been through emotional trauma, and everybody's rooting for her. We're going to make a killer album," Davis said.

Houston sat at the main table, where Halle Berry (in gold Elie Saab) was seated with boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. The semi-annual event has raised more than $70 million for childhood diabetes, and Berry, a diabetic, said she has been feeling well and remains hopeful for a cure.

Also in attendance were Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Sidney Poitier, Minnie Driver, Kristin Davis, Hilary Duff and the evening's host, Jay Leno. And a certain American Idol finalist, of course.

Houston's surprise appearance led American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee to abandon plans to sing her signature "Over the Rainbow" in place of Houston's "I Have Nothing."

"It's her first big appearance since the breakup. "I would love to sing with her, but unfortunately all eyes are on me," said McPhee.

Houston nodded her head during McPhee's performance and led a standing ovation. Afterward, Davis brought McPhee over to meet Houston, who took McPhee's hands in hers.

"She said she was really proud of me," said a tickled McPhee.

The event's founder, Barbara Davis, sparkling in $12.5 million in Leviev diamonds, guided Stevie Wonder over to sit with Houston.

"This is my baby," said Houston, taking Wonder's hand.

"He's my baby, too!" piped Barbara Davis.

Later, Barbara Davis ran over to Houston and pointed to a large screen replaying one of Houston's previous Carousel performances (The Greatest Love of All).

"Look," said Barbara Davis, "that's you!"

Houston smiled, appearing pleased with a reminder of her glory years.

Barbara Davis, a huge American Idol fan, also invited former Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson to preview one of her songs from this December's big-screen Dreamgirls. American Idol judge Randy Jackson expressed pride in seeing two of his discoveries invited to share this year's Carousel bill with such established performers.

As for Hudson's dream, it was one shared by all: "It would be a dream to hear Whitney perform again. She had the greatest voice of all time."

The lovely Katharine McPhee traded the American Idol stage for the fashion runway at Dina Bar-El's show on Tuesday during L.A. Fashion Week.

McPhee, 22, dazzled the crowd as she pranced down the catwalk with Bar-El at her side, while her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played in the background during the finale of the show.

The McPheever was clearly in top form after a tumultuous summer which saw her fracture her foot, suffer from bouts of bronchitis and laryngitis, and reveal she was once bulimic. Katharine glowed in a beige gown featuring a beaded halter empire waist and floating chiffon bottom.

McPhee and Bar-El have been friends ever since the designer created gowns for the budding popstar during American Idol. When not showcasing her inner supermodel, McPhee has been busy recording her debut album which is due out in November 28 -- right after Taylor Hicks' record debuts.

Here are Katharine McPhee pictures from the event. Note that her boyfriend, Nick Cokas, is visible in at least one of them. Good to see they're still on! Click to enlarge:

Justin Timberlake may be bringing SexyBack, but our own Katharine McPhee is bringing us some SexyHair. Katharine is the new spokeswoman for SexyHair, a line of shampoos, conditioners and hair styling products that strive to make hair look great -- whatever style you choose! This picture we found from her promotional campaign is a fine addition to our American Idol Picture of the Day feature.

American Idol Worship has learned that this season's runner-up, Katharine McPhee, will be appearing in a CBS Primetime Special called "A Home for the Holidays." Sounds like a great way to spend the holidays to us!

The show will air on December 22 and has been confirmed by McPhee's label, RCA Records. November has three notable dates of its own involving McPhee:

• Tuesday, November 7: Bocelli album will be released, featuring a duet with Katharine
• Tuesday, November 28: Katharine's debut album is scheduled to be released by RCA and 19 Recordings Limited.
• Thursday, November 30: McPhee will appear on the Today show to promote the record.

Katharine is also featured in the November issue of Cosmopolitan with her friend Rachel Bilson on the cover. The article is about Bilson, but in it, there is a section titled "Five Things You Don't Know About Rachel," one of them being that she is a high school friend of Katharine's.

We already knew that, of course, but it's still cool. The magazine also has a picture of the two from American Idol Top 7 night. We'll have it as soon as we can get our hands on it!

She's young, she’s beautiful and she captured tens of millions of hearts as the runner-up on American Idol this spring. Indeed, there are many reasons why Katharine McPhee could be considered one of Us Weekly’s "Fresh 15."

She was recently profiled by the magazine and we're here to share some snippets from this adorable singer.

On her rise to fame:

"[A year ago] I didn't know how I was going to be able to pay for school or whatever. It's so incredible. Even if this whole thing doesn't work out, singing, at least I know I'll be comfortable for the rest of my life."

On her new album:

"I'm not even talking about that... I'd love to tell. I'm going for contemporary, for Top 40 stuff. That means a lot of things. A lot of people are expecting me to put out a Celine Dion-type album. I'd like to have aspects of that, but those albums don't sell very well."

On her first big purchase:

"I bought a car! I only got to drive it for one day. I bought a BMW 525 in gunmetal silver. It's something I'm very excited about and bought myself!"

On her famous high school pal:

"Rachel Bilson was a senior when I was a freshman. We were friends, but we didn't get to hang out. I was only 14 when she was probably 18. I was in the spring musical with her, [but] I was the only freshman in the musical. I sat next to her every night putting on my makeup. She would let me borrow her makeup, and [that] always made me feel so special. She was so sweet to me."

On her favorite American Idol contestant:

"I just watched Carrie Underwood's new single, 'Before He Cheats,' and she looks so good! She's coming into her own. She looks sexy! I'm really proud of her. I was a fan of her before, but she's really hot and sexy right now. She's topping the charts!"

Everything's just peachy for Katharine McPhee, who People Magazine shows grabbing lunch this week with her boyfriend, Nick Cokas. This pic was taken at West Hollywood's Urth Caffé on Wednesday, three days after Katharine wrapped her American Idols Live! tour in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Well, not on screen anyway! Rumored to be under consideration for the movie role of Wonder Woman, apparently Katharine McPhee doesn't want to don the tiara and gold wrist-cuffs after all.

The American Idol star tells Entertainment Weekly that doing the iconic superhero role would be "a huge mistake," and that she's not going to be some "slutty female" when she poses on the cover of Shape magazine this fall.

The songstress thinks that the prospects for "Wonder Woman" aren't very good, and that the production is in an incredibly early stage anyway.

Wonder what Katharine's high school friend, Rachel Bilson, who is rumored to be in consideration for the role as well, thinks about that!

She hasn't ruled out a photo spread later on if things don't quite work out, however. "If my career's going downhill, then I'll do Maxim or FHM," she jokes.

McPhee, 22, also says that any suggestion that she skipped the first three weeks of the American Idol tour are false, and that her new record will surprise her fans.

"People in the industry are hearing about what I'm doing, and they're really surprised, and I like that," she said.

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly features brief rundowns of the seven Idol-affiliated album releases this fall (not counting Mario Vazquez, the Idol dropout)! The column takes its best guesses at the albums' prospects. Here's the essence of what they said about each:

Clay Aiken: "It appears those Claymates follow their leader no matter where his hair takes them."

[Translation: It's going to me a smash!]

Ruben Studdard: "The disc is still pretty standard R&B ... we're not counting out Celebrity Fit Club just yet."

[Translation: Not so sure about its potential success.]

Kellie Pickler: "Simple but sweet."

[Translation: They haven't heard any of it yet, are somewhat skeptical of Kellie's talent, but find her charming, and have no real idea how it will play in the country market.]

Fantasia Barrino: "Sounds promising, but plese, no more Lifetime flicks."

[Translation rendered unnecessary.]

Taylor Hicks: "'There's gonna be horns. I like to say brass with ass,'" Hicks is quoted as saying.

[Translation: Since it hasn't been recorded yet, they're a bit concerned, but who's really going to count out the Soul Patrol?]

Katharine McPhee: Quoting KIIS-FM/Los Angeles program director John Ivey: "'Katharine is a complete wild card.'"

[Translation: Diana DeGarmo redux? Let's hope not!]

Chris Daughtry: Quoting Ivey again: "'You can't come of American Idol and be this rock God.'"

[Translation: Chris may have a tough time getting airplay from credibility-obsessed rock radio stations that think anyone associated with Idol is a gimmick.]

As Katharine McPhee came oh-so-close to winning American Idol this past season, a star from a different FOX show was cheering her on throughout the competition.

Rachel Bilson, who portrays the adorable Summer Roberts on The OC, says she following her former high school classmate very closely ... and tried to help her achieve victory.

"I went to support her and watched a taping of the show. I voted 100 times," Bilson said.

Alas, it wasn't enough, as Taylor Hicks walked away with the singing crown. But Bilson still has fond memories of performing with McPhee back in the day.

"We did a musical together. She was a freshman, I think, when I was a senior, so she's a few years younger, but we were friendly."

Bilson says she likes to sing "alone," so don't count on her trying out for American Idol 6. But will McPhee ever appear on The OC? You never know.