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Brooke White was in shock when she met Phylicia Rashad. 
The former “American Idol” contestant worked with Rashad in a new TV movie “Change of Plans” during her first foray into acting.
“When I met her I was thinking ‘this is Mrs. Huxtable,’ ” she said. “Once I got over that, she was very kind and helped me out with some tips.”
“Change of Plans” follows White’s character, Sally and her husband Jason, played by Joe Flanigan, as they deal with becoming parents after a friend dies and leaves them custodoy of four children.
White said coming into the shoot there were no expectations.
“I had thought about acting but never really sought it out,” she said. “I learned that I got this part three days before they started shooting. It was a crazy time but I’m glad I got to do this project.”
White said the movie filmed in Canada and filmed from August to October.
She said what drew her to the part was Sally had similar qualities to herself.
“We are both singers,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have a brand new path appear before your very eyes. I dealt with that after ‘Idol.’ “
White said she was able to work on three songs for the movie with Randy Jackson.
“I co-wrote the songs so it really helped put me in my comfort zone,” she said.
White admits that acting and making music are similar yet different.
“With acting you have a leg up because the script is already written,” she said. “With music I’m usually the one doing the writing, so I have to start from scratch each time.”
White said the “family” theme of “Change of Plans” is what also drew her to the movie.
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She said there aren’t many films that parents can watch with their kids.
“I found it a great opportunity to be in this movie because of the message,” she said. “Despite the hurdles in life as long as you have family you’ll be fine.”
After her appearance on “American Idol,” White said she was wary on deals that came her way. She admits that many of her “Idol” castmates took deals and some fell through.
“I had movie offers and just didn’t feel like it was the right time,” she said. “I’m glad I decided to wait.”
While her experience on “Change of Plans” was a positive one, White said she’s not going to give up on her music career.
“Since we finished the film, I’ve been hard at work on songs for my next album,” she said. “If another role that I felt a connection with comes along, then I would go for it. Until then, music is going to be my focus.”
WHAT: “Change of Plans”
WHEN: 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8
WHERE: Fox Channel 2
