Katharine McPhee Shares Her Journey to Becoming a Vaudeville Star and Her Favorite LED Devices
Katharine McPhee Joins Award-Winning Cast in ‘The Artist’ Amid Last-Minute Preparations
In a striking entry to the historical-fiction thriller The Artist, Katharine McPhee found herself cast in a role with little preparation time. Premiering on November 6, the production features a renowned ensemble, including Mandy Patinkin, Janet McTeer, Patti LuPone, Zachary Quinto, and Hank Azaria. “I was thrown into this project really last minute,” McPhee recounted. “I just showed up and let the experts do their thing.”
McPhee portrays Norah Bayes, a celebrated entertainer born in 1880. The transformation into her character began immediately with wardrobe adjustments. “The costumes really do most of the work,” she noted. Filming in November contributed to her fitting into the period’s aesthetic, with her skin tone providing an authentic touch. “My skin was a little more pale at that time, which was great for a period piece. Very little makeup—super natural, pretty skin,” she explained.
The use of her natural hair during production also contributed positively to her performance. “With wigs, you never know if they’ll be distracting,” McPhee said. “I think they did a great job.” To further ground her portrayal, she researched photographs of Bayes, stating, “She was a pretty lady. They kept me fresh and pretty the way she was.”
Musically, McPhee faced the challenge of quickly mastering unfamiliar material. “I had to learn this little song I’d never heard before,” she laughed, acknowledging the difficulties of adapting to both its unique style and lyrics. Despite the time constraint, she managed to connect with the piece: “Anything unfamiliar takes longer, but after a day or two, it felt like it belonged to me.”
Though familiar with the talented cast members, McPhee initially knew little about the storyline. After watching early episodes, she noted the contemporary elements infused within the historical narrative. “It feels like a contemporary show set back in the 1800s,” she remarked. “There’s bad language, the cadence feels current. It’s not like Shakespeare, where you need time to adjust. You can jump right in.”
Post-filming, McPhee’s focus shifted to skincare, disclosing her enthusiasm for routines and favorite products. Among her current obsessions is the Shark LED face device, which she described as simple yet effective. “I’m obsessed,” she expressed, highlighting its convenience: “It sounds like I’m being paid by them. I should be being paid by them!”
Additionally, she praised the brand Allies of Skin after a facial arranged by producer Hilary Shore. “Their products are really high-quality—they have the peptides, everything,” she said, particularly enjoying a dual-purpose SPF with a hint of self-tanner.
Looking ahead, McPhee believes viewers will be pleasantly surprised by The Artist. “It’s easy to follow, highly entertaining and feels modern in a really smart way,” she remarked, anticipating a positive reception.
