Katharine McPhee Talks New Album, New Movie, And New Look

November 1, 2009 7:35 p.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Katharine McPhee is best known for being the wide-eyed brunette beauty who came in second during the fifth season of "American Idol" to Taylor Hicks. Since then, she's released her self-titled debut, earned a gold single with "Over It," became the latest fresh face of Neutrogena, and scored roles in movies and TV shows like "The House Bunny" and "Ugly Betty." But now she's shed her long brown locks and the R&B sounds of her debut for "Unbroken," a hook-laden mix of acoustic-leaning pop songs where McPhee got to pen songs with singer/songwriters like Paula Cole, Ingrid Michaelson, and Rachael Yamagata. The first single, "Had It All," is currently climbing up radio. CNS got a chance to talk with Katharine about her new album, new look, and her upcoming new movie.

CNS: On this album, you got to write with artists Paula Cole, Ingrid Michaelson, Rachael Yamagata. How did you hook up with them and what was that experience like? 

KM: Ingrid Michaelson I met at Hotel Cafe through a friend and I wasn't really familiar with her as an artist. She was like, "You might know my song" and was really humble about it. She sang me that song [Katharine starts singing "The Way I Am"] and I was like I totally know that song. So I quickly went home and downloaded all her stuff and became a huge fan of hers. We stayed friends and connected and we started writing songs whenever I'd be in New York or she'd be in town. She'd come over with her little ukelele and we were writing songs together before I'd even started work on this album.

Paula Cole I've been a huge fan of since high school. I covered one of her songs about two years ago and her management saw me sing it and they contacted Paula. We got together and it was such a big honor. She's such an incredible songwriter and I felt like I was running in place just to keep up with her. She doesn't really write with a lot of people. She actually doesn't write with anyone at all. She said she only writes alone and it's a really personal thing so I really appreciated it. And now I have a pal in Paula Cole.

I met Rachael Yamagata through the producer of "Keep Drivin'." I started the song with Chris Tompkins and we couldn't finish some of the lyrics and she came in on it and helped us out.

CNS: So there must have been a lot of songs and collaborations left off the album.

KM: I... yeah. That's so funny. I have so many songs that I'll go back and listen to on my computer and I'll be like, "Wait. That was a good song." Maybe the next record..

CNS: How many do you think you wrote?

KM: Just me personally, I wrote over 30 songs. You know some of them are no good, some of them are really good, some you have to go back and work on.

CNS: What's your favorite song on "Unbroken"?

KM: I've been really connecting with the song "Surrender" that I wrote with Ingrid Michaelson and Marshall Altman. Well, I'm one of the writers so I would hope I'm connected to it. But it's about wishing you could see yourself the way someone else sees you and loves you. Girls struggle with, and I struggle with, self-appreciation, self-love. That's probably my favorite song lyrically.

But from starting to promote the songs, I think my favorite right now is "It's Not Right," the first song on the album. I'm having a blast singing the single too, "Had It All," so that's definitely a top contender. I really truly do love all the songs. That's a good position to be in, when you love all your music.

CNS: What kind of music were you listening to get inspired for this album and who are you listening to currently? 

KM: Maxwell, Kings of Leon, Colbie Caillat. Colbie and I have been friendly for some time and I was really excited about her new record. For inspiration, I love to listen to the radio and see what's going on in pop culture. But I was really going back to my old records like Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, Alanis Morissette, who all sing about really cool things. Sheryl Crow I would go back and listen to. "Strong Enough" is one of my favorites of hers.

CNS: You said you went to Nashville to meet with some songwriters for this record. Some of the songs, like your single "Had It All," throw in a banjo and it sounds like a country hit. Were you at all inspired by country music?

KM: Yeah. I mean, I'm certainly not a country singer and I'm not trying to be a country singer. The head of my label suggested that I go there and told me that I could go there and work with such great songwriters and you can mold it to how you need. I mean, some songs are about tractors and that wouldn't work.

CNS: No, you should definitely cover "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy."

KM: (Laughing) I know right? But I mean I spent so much time there. I love it there. I love that lifestyle. Songwriters get up, work on songs all day, go home to their family. It really helped me find what kind of artist I wanted to be and which kind of songs suit me.

CNS: You also got to go to Hawaii recently to shoot a new movie, "You May Not Kiss the Bride." How was that?

KM: I don't know.. Six weeks.. Shooting in Hawaii.

CNS: Your life is so hard.

KM: It was so rough. (laughing) No. My co-star, Dave Annable, can probably attest to this. It was like being back in college. I got to bring my make-up artist out with me who's friend of mine. We were staying out all night, just a bunch of kids. We had a blast. But then I had to prepare myself for the 4am call times. I'm not an early riser. But I've seen a couple rough cuts and it's coming out really cute.

CNS: Kara DioGuardi, who wrote on your first album, also wrote on this album, and now she's a judge on "American Idol." Is the "Idol" connection something you would ever want to shake off?

KM: I don't think it's something you can shake off. I think it's kind-of silly to go the extra mile to try to shake it off, but it's almost impossible to distance yourself from it. Jennifer Hudson wins an Oscar and everyone's still reminded that she came from the show but you don't care because she's done other things that are really respectable.

CNS: Do you have plans to perform on the new season?

KM: I don't know. "Idol" is a hot little show now. When I was on it, all the big recording artists were still thinking "Idol" was cheesy, but that was the year it started to change. Shakira came on the show and everyone was freaking out. But of course, that would be the plan. But I would love to go back. It's like a reunion. All the same people work there so it's like a family thing.

CNS: Besides yourself, who's your favorite Idol?

KM: Oh, wow. Um..I'm a big Carrie Underwood fan. I love her music and she's such a sweet girl. I always look forward to her new records and her magazines. I love Kelly too, but I have to say Carrie. Her music is my kind of country music, that kind of poppy country music. Not super, super country.

CNS: Your first album had a lot of songs produced by Danja. Later that year, Britney Spears released her album which had a lot of Danja productions. Any Britney run-in stories?

KM: No.. That would've been so cool though. I would love to hang out with Britney one night.

CNS: You got a lot of attention recently when you dyed your hair blonde. How are you liking the change?

KM: If you could see my hair right now.. I have some roots going on! (laughing) But don't worry. I'm getting them done on Sunday.

CNS: Do you see yourself going back to brown sooner than later?

KM: I'll get sick of it eventually. I'm sure I'll go through a couple different shades before I go back to brunette. Who knows? I think this was the first time in my life I've actually was courageous enough to do something different and did it for myself.

CNS: You have a new look, and this new sound, and it's been three years since your last album. Do you feel like you have to reintroduce yourself as a new artist?

KM: It's kind of like starting over in a way. But I mean that in a really positive way. The album is so new and different. It's definitely a different process from coming off a show, putting a record together so quickly. You're in such a whirlwind, you don't even have time to breathe. It's like a new beginning, a new introduction. Not only for everyone else, but for me too.

Katharine McPhee's "Unbroken" hits stores on January 5th. The single "Had It All" is available now on iTunes.