Brooke White on Her Acting Debut in FOX's "Change of Plans": "Don't Google Your Own Name — Be You, Work Hard, Have Fun"

Season 7 American Idol contestant Brooke White made her acting debut in the FOX movie "Change of Plans," premiering Saturday, January 8 at 8/7C — the fourth film in the P&G and Walmart Family Movie Night initiative. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

Season 7 American Idol contestant Brooke White made her acting debut in the FOX movie "Change of Plans," premiering Saturday, January 8 at 8/7C — the fourth film in the P&G and Walmart Family Movie Night initiative. White plays Sally Danville, a free-spirited musician who becomes the sudden legal guardian of her late best friend's four children (three adopted from third-world countries), alongside co-star Joe Flanigan ("Stargate: Atlantis") and Phylicia Rashad ("The Cosby Show"). White co-wrote and sang three songs in the film, produced by Randy Jackson. The movie also features cameo appearances by NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Randy Jackson himself.

On the toughest part about acting: "When I found out I got the part, I shipped off to Toronto within two days. So there was very little time to think or prepare, which was probably in my best interest because I was afraid. Probably my 4:30 a.m. pick-up every day was the hardest part. I was worried I would forget a line or two, but it really isn't a big deal. You get in there and memorization of dialogue isn't that big of a deal when you get there. I thought it was more fun than hard."

On her role: "I actually play a singer/songwriter in the movie, which was such a stretch for me, you know. But I was able to co-write three songs, which I actually sang in the movie — all three of them — and Randy produced them."

On advice to Idol contestants: "Keep it short and simple. Don't Google your own name — that's what I say. Be you, don't Google, work hard, have fun."

On how her friendship with Randy Jackson began: "I would never have anticipated post-Idol that I would be working with Randy. Things just happened in a strange way. We were actually both at Guitar Center — I was looking for a keyboard and he happened to be there at the same time. I don't know if people watching from their TVs can tell how personable Randy is. He sits and takes his time to talk to everyone and he really was just talking about life after Idol. He was just so incredibly positive and said, 'Hey, let's keep in touch,' and before I knew it we started really working together. He helped connect me with my management and has been a major player and supporter in my post-Idol life."

On building a lasting career: "It is very difficult to survive and to stay present after Idol, and the trick is becoming an artist because the music business is becoming more and more difficult to sustain as an artist. Randy said you're lucky if you have a ten-year career or more than one hit, and I think I'm really trying to adopt the maybe not the rocket ship but the climb — steadily and slowly building a career that I hope lasts. I've been super fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him, both on my own record and then to do this movie and the soundtrack. It's just been a huge surprise and a blessing." (In 2009, White started her own record label "June Baby Records" with Randy Jackson.)

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