1. American Idol: Her breakthrough moment came in 2006 when she finished as the runner-up on the fifth season of the popular singing competition "American Idol." This exposed her to a massive audience and propelled her into the spotlight.
2. Music Career: Following "American Idol," McPhee launched a successful music career. She released several albums, including her debut album "Katharine McPhee" (2007) which went platinum.
3. Acting Roles: While pursuing music, McPhee started taking on acting roles, gaining recognition for her performances in Broadway productions like "Waitress" and "The Girl in the Yellow Dress."
4. Television Series: Her role as Karen Cartwright in the television series "Smash" (2012-2013) further elevated her profile and solidified her as a versatile performer.
5. "Scorpion" and "The Good Wife": She achieved even more recognition for her starring role as Paige Dineen in the CBS series "Scorpion" (2014-2018), and for her recurring role as Lindsey Wade in the legal drama "The Good Wife" (2014-2016).
6. "Waitress" Movie Adaptation: She starred in the film adaptation of the musical "Waitress" (2019), which also added to her popularity.
7. Marriage to David Foster: Her marriage to renowned music producer David Foster (2019) also brought significant media attention.
8. "Country Comfort" and "The Flight Attendant": Her recent roles in the Netflix series "Country Comfort" (2021) and the HBO Max series "The Flight Attendant" (2021-present) showcase her comedic and dramatic range and continue to bring her wider recognition.
In summary, Katharine McPhee's fame is a result of her talent, hard work, and a mix of successful endeavors in music, television, and film. Her consistent presence in the entertainment industry has cemented her position as a prominent figure in the industry.