Katharine McPhee: "I'm So Blessed"

Former "American Idol" Contestant Talks About New CD, Career

(CBS)  Just a little over a year ago, Katharine McPhee was runner-up on "American Idol" and since then there's been no stopping her.

Her debut album, titled "Katharine McPhee," is a smash, and the singer stopped by The Early Show in Orlando on Friday, the show's first stop of its "Summer In The City Tour."

McPhee tells The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm she wanted to have fun with the album.

"Pop music is what I listen to, definitely, and I wanted to make a fun, fresh record and I still have on my debut record a lot of the big ballads that people remember me from 'Idol' on and I'm young and I think I just wanted people to remember that," she says. "I just wanted to do something that I would enjoy and I think the fans are enjoying it, too. We just did the video for 'Love Story' and it's so much fun. I actually get to dance in the video."

McPhee's mother, a voice coach, encouraged her to let her voice develop naturally. She also danced a lot, and it's something the 23-year-old was mindful of when working on the album. "On 'Idol' I was always so nervous, so I'd step-touch everything. And I think once you go through the whole process, you get to feel more free after you make a record and I definitely wanted stuff I could move to. This is the first song I get to do it with," she says, referring to her song "Love Story."

The past year has been a whirlwind for McPhee and she says the experience has been amazing. "I'm so blessed and I get to meet so many amazing people and everything from being here," she tells Storm.

Her next big step is a movie, which she will begin shooting this summer. "I've been living the dream. That's for sure. It's been amazing," McPhee says.

[msiegel2007]

She's an amazing talent and very grounded, too. I was at the meet n greet after the show and she really has a heart for the kids who came out to see her.

Also, the first thing she did when she got her break was to start giving back (check out McPhee Outreach on her web site - doing good things for terminally ill children).

For you negative posters, you have no clue what you're talking about, go read some books about the entertainment industry. This girl's just getting started. CBS Early Show is a great place to be (maybe you guys are a little jealous?). She'll be on Live with Regis and Kelly this Friday, oh that must be another sign that her career is in the dumps, gimme a break!

Go Kat, Go!

[zacktheman25]

Katharine Mcphee RULES!!!i cant stand you haters.Your sad!Great voice and great CD.Kat RULES

[jdmans1]

The CD reached #2 and stayed on Billboard top 100 for 10 weeks. The lead single Over It reached #29 on billboard; that is not 'tanking.' 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/MyDestiny' was also on the Hot Singles Sales on Billboard in the top 25 for 45 weeks.

AI produced albums traditionally do not do well, even Carrie Underwood's first album did not do as well as anything afterward. Carrie Underwood also does country, not pop/rock which is far more competitive. Katharine also changed the style of music on the CD from AI appearances.

She is living the American Dream because she is so multi-talented and things are going on in every area of the entertainment industry for her. In addition to being on the charts for 45 weeks, with the CD for 10 weeks (that is not a failure) and having the first single reach #29, Katharine has a 2 year hair deal, has been on multiple magazine covers and has done numerous interviews, TV and radio appearances, and has been to Italy and back - all in one year. She also met with Steven Spielberg and now has a film. She has tremendous potential in many areas of entertainment and even critics of her CD have acknowledged this.

Ms McPhee's CD has been off the charts for months,she has sold a measly 341,000 albums. Love Story, released over a month ago has tanked on the charts, sitting at #72 at mediabase. CBS should check out the facts before, letting the audience think Ms McPhee has a hit record. MsPhee has resorted to posing semi nude for a mans magazine. What a disgrace for American Idol.

[dannyttown]

Frankly, Katherine's album and lead single tanked, so I'm not sure how she is "living the dream", as she says. Her album has already disappeared from Billboard's Top 100, while Carrie Underwood (from the previous year)is still perched in the top 25. Maybe her acting career will fair better.

[aaabee-2009]

McPhee tells The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm she wanted to have fun with the album."

Wow, Hannah is getting all the serious reporting stories this week. How can Katie stand it!

[katfanamanda]

Katharine McPhee is the best thing to happen in the music and entertainment industry in years. Finally a "BREATH OF FRESH AIR" for the entertainment world.