American Idol's most hated-on contestant since Jasmine Trias has finally released the follow-up single to her moderate hit "Over It", entitled "Love Story." It's a fun, funky summer song with old school horns and an infectious hook — book ended by flirty "ooh-ooh-ooohs" that promise to get stuck in your head 'til next Christmas. Some people may still be bitter that she stayed on Idol longer than both Chris Daughtry and Elliott Yamin, but considering their respective successes, I say they need to make like McPhee and get "over it". Katharine McPhee, who released her debut album back in January, vamped up her image since American Idol, and modernized her sound. She's been oozing sex appeal since the top 12, but it's a little different busting out of a dress while belting out "Over The Rainbow," than it is dancing around to a fun, upbeat pop tune about falling for a man you never thought you would. Now the image fits the music.
McPhee has the diva strut down to an art as she stomps around in a sparkly and sexy yellow dress, one hand working the mic as she flips her hair around like she's in a Loreal commercial. Stomping around in those to-die-for heels, she channels her inner Beyonce, breathing new life into a song which may already be old to those who picked up her album months ago when it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, right below Norah Jones. Since then her sales have pretty much been on the decline, even with her debut single "Over It" doing okay on radio and in iTunes downloads, but McPhee's devoted fan base is hopeful "Love Story" will be the breakthrough Katharine needs to finally tap into an audience that may not have cared for her much during American Idol.
Sexily crawling across the table — in a daydream — to get closer to the guy she's overwhelmed with lust for, we see the more real Katharine, a contrast to the hyper confident and sexy songstress we see in the video's other two settings. Having worked with Justin Timberlake's choreographer on the video, the dance moves are looking quite sharp, even if you get distracted by the striking resemblance two of her back-up dancers have to Jordin Sparks and Kellie Pickler.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jas
Great review for a great video.
2 - Jan
So sorry, not feelin da video!!!
3 - SoCalCouple
The McFeever certainly intensifies with "Love Story"...
The stronger and more visible her image is all around, the bigger success she will be in the long run. Remember how unbelievably competitive the industry is nowadays - it is not all about singing anymore - image and direction are so key - as are smart career choices. McPhee's direction might be overly vampy with "Love Story", yet she is a vibrant young lady whose talents are unfolding right before our eyes. If she can be smart about being versatile in song, modeling, stage and film selections - it can only add to her longevity. Good for her!
It certainly worked for Madonna.
4 - michelle b
That's a weird review. Who's Jasmine Trias? Why put the stuff in on the end about insecure women? the only people that don't like her need to get laid? I think the people that like her need to get laid.
Everybody keeps saying she's supposed to be a pop star but it's not happening. Maybe the video will help but to me her voice isn't special enough.
5 - Clarra
It has nothing to do with "haters" that she is only selling 1k copies a week and "Love Story" flopped at Pop radio and already has a negative bullet. Say what you want about "haters", but the frustration should be placed on fans that aren't requesting and the buying public that aren't interested. If "haters" are personally running to every Radio Program Director and telling them not to play her song, then maybe they can be used as a cop out to McPhee's lack of success. Until then place the blame on McPhee and her team selling her as sex kitten and not a talented vocalist.
6 - Jimmy
Love the last line in your article. Adding "jealous" insecure women would make it hit home even more. Ever notice there are no male Kat haters on the internet? Now prepare yourself for the onslaught of haters coming after YOU. Kat's most notorious hater and internet basher, someone who claims to be a law student and goes by multiple screen names will be here in a flash, I'm sure.
7 - Guitar Girl
Unfortunately even stellar upcoming vocalists must work their image to be competitive - whatever it takes to gain fans & sell records.
Even among audio, we live in a visual age.
8 - Katie
great review! Says a lot of what i'm thinking.
Now I can't wait for people to come here who don't like Kat and continue to discuss her and say "why isn't her 15 minutes up yet!!" uh...because you obsessively discuss her to the third degree.
And Clarra, Katharine has said herself the label wasn't pushing the single until the video came out. So LOL @ you if you think a song gets played on the radio with no label support.
9 - jake
What a strange review. Why so angry? I was actually fine with it until this last bit...
"â€" no matter how many people hate on her without having a reason why (that's right, I'm talking to all you insecure women with low self-esteem and split ends who desperately need to get laid)."
She's definitely hot, but I can't say I find her terribly inspiring as an artist at this point (and I got laid yesterday).
10 - casey
I don't know why this couldn't have been written without the Daughtry mention. In fact, I wouldn't have been alerted to it without that mention (google alert, that is). So, you bring up the other idols (which will undoubtedly draw in other non-Kat fans who have google alerts for their faves) and then insult everyone who doesn't like her. It seems obvious that you only wrote those portions to cause trouble.
And one more thing...why, oh why, would Daughtry fans be bitter?
11 - John
Of course male haters dont post objection to her "visual" tactics, she puts out and we love it...and we are "visual creatures"... As for her singing? I can take it or leave it.
12 - Janey Rose
I am a female recording artist in Nashville and I commend any woman who has the balls to simply go for it in today's music scene - especially in L.A. Who cares if Katharine McPhee is sexier than some - her image across the board will help sell records.
I am not a hater nor a real fan, but applaud her in your face ambition.
13 - Lennie
An average talent in a gorgeous body who's willing to sell her sex appeal.
She'll go for in this industry.
14 - Lennie
Sorry, not "for", FAR.
15 - devon
OMG - she is so hot in this video, I can't believe it. Everything about Kat McPhee says "Star Power"....she has the look, moves, and most importantly a FANTASTIC voice. McPheever is Rising!
16 - Anonymous
You are SO right on...the people who hate her so hard are the ones keep her famous! Anyone who is loved and hated as much as Kat will continue to be a huge force...
17 - Baby
You are right, I would not have gotten this if not for Chris' name in it. Wow ! Is this written by a REAL journalist or one of the FANATICAL McPhee Fans ? Sounds to me like the latter. Funny, I read very little in the review about the song, the music or the vocal talent, but only about the sex ! Sorry, if you compare this video to other girl videos that are out right now, this one looks cheap and tacky. But there has already been much talk on the VH1 boards about McPhee Fans using Computer Programs to vote her to the top. I guess Computer Programs don't work for Radio Play ! Embarrassing Review !
18 - Bob
Great review and right on! This video and song are fantastic. It's Katharine's time to make it big. I agree with your comments on the stalkers also, except they aren't all women. It is really disgusting the way the same people feel a need to post negative comments on every blog, review or news article about Katharine McPhee instead of supporting someone they like. If only they could get the help of a mental health professional I'm sure they would be much happier.
19 - BlondeArsenal
Truth is >Bot voting caused a big problem between the fan bases.
20 - Karen
There's no doubting the talent of Kat. I don't think that's her problem. She has a nack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. She has this air about her that just does not bring you close. I hope things start to fall into place for her. She has more talent than a lot of the other female artist today.
21 - lol
Salut té laite
22 - nick
can't agree more with the review
23 - Busybee
Great, honest review. It's refreshing to read.
Katharine made a wonderful video with Love Story. It has all the ingredients for a hit song, and she deserves it.
24 - fantasticfour
I actually like the song but wow the last line is downright offensive. I'm a huge fan of Angelina Jolie, one of the most beautiful women in the world, so by your logic I should hate Angelina too, right?
25 - michelle b
I guess there are alot of insecure women with split ends on the radio cause this song is flopping hard