Katherine Bailess

Katherine Bailess was born on Apr. 24, 1980 in Vicksburg, MS. She took up dance as early as age four, studying at institutions like the New York City-based Broadway Dance Center. She pursued dance and musical theater at the collegiate level upon enrollment at Marymount Manhattan College, and continued her passion for the performing arts at William Esper Studio. She made her screen acting debut in the "American Idol" (Fox/ABC 2002-2016, 2018-) spinoff feature film "From Justin to Kelly" (2003). Bailess followed this debut closely with a part in the direct-to-video "Bring It On" (2000) sequel "Bring It On Again" (2004).

The popular high school drama series "One Tree Hill" (The WB/The CW 2003-2012) afforded Bailess her first major role; she played the part of Erica Marsh throughout the program's second season. A number of minor parts in films like "Jackass Number Two" (2006) and shows like "The Loop" (Fox 2006-07) passed before Bailess co-starred in the musical film "Elle: A Modern Cinderella Tale" (2010), which she also produced. Not long after, Bailess landed a role among the main cast of "Hit the Floor" (VH1 2013-), a drama series about a women's professional basketball team.