BROOKE WHITE

The magic of Brooke White resonates within High Hopes & Heartbreak, the former nanny’s first full-length release after she became an American Idol finalist. Brooke made her first impression on Idol’s seventh season when she told the judges that she’d never watched an R-rated movie, prompting Simon Cowell to offer to bring her “to the dark side.” But as viewer’s found out throughout her charmed run to a Top 5 finish, the Phoenix, AZ, native exists like a beacon of light that shines through that dark, a passionate swirl of willowing soul and ‘70s flavored gold.

The oldest of four siblings, her parents passed their love of music on to their children, and that love has blossomed in Brooke. “My upbringing is entirely the reason that I am the artist that I am today,” she says. “My parents are hardcore music fans, and we grew up in a small house, close together all the time. We didn’t watch a lot of TV, it was constantly about music. It was the glue that held us together. We’d go on drives just to listen to a Carole King tape, or Fleetwood Mac or the Carpenters. Music was the therapy that made us very happy as a family… I’m not an average music listener. I do this because I really do love it.”

Brooke now looks to share the music of her parents’ generation, with a new generation. Brooke and her husband Dave welcomed their first child, daughter London Ray, in May. The one-time nanny has come full circle, now balancing her passions of motherhood and music.

After supporting High Hopes & Heartbreak on the road playing shows and making radio appearances, Brooke took some time off from music, briefly, to film her first movie, FOX’s Change of Plans, which aired last year. Brooke starred as Sally Danville, a singer-songwriter, whom, with her husband, is granted custody of her childhood best friend’s four kids. Change of Plans was Brooke’s first experience acting, and to her surprise, she was a natural.

"As a singer-songwriter, I never expected that I would be acting; talk about a ‘Change of Plans!’” said Brooke. “I loved the story, because it is emotionally-driven, yet light-hearted and fun. It also showed us that the family comes in all shapes and sizes, and reminds us that sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we planned, but it can be even better. It’s a great lesson that I learned firsthand!"

In addition to acting in the film, Brooke managed to write, record and perform three original songs in the movie and on the CD soundtrack. The songs were recorded and produced by Randy Jackson.

Brooke now has her eyes set on her first full-length Christmas album to be released this November. The 11-song album will include holiday classics plus two original Christmas songs.

The beautiful thing about Brooke White is her story tells itself.  She is living and breathing the same dream that she has reveled in since her childhood. Music is her love, her pain, her joy and her sorrow. It is her life, unguarded and open, vulnerable…