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Actor Katie Holmes is best known for her role as Joey Potter in Dawson’s Creek. Before landing the role, she had few performances under her belt, aside from a high school musical. But many of the show’s fans found her singing in a handful of episodes to be very awkward.

Katie Holmes portrayed Joey Potter in ‘Dawson’s Creek’

Katie Holmes of 'Dawson's Creek'
Katie Holmes of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ | Mike Albans/NY Daily News via Getty Images

Holmes starred in Dawson’s Creek as Joey, a small-town teenager who dreams of getting out and doing something great with her life. It was Holmes’ first big role in Hollywood. She played Joey for seven seasons, from lovestruck high school student to working professional in the time jump series finale.

Dawson’s Creek was Holmes’s big break. She began to act in films such as Teaching Mrs. Tingle and Abandon during its run. After it ended, she starred in Batman Begins as Rachel Dawes, the titular characters’ love interest. She later returned to TV with a guest spot in How I Met Your Mother and a recurring role in Ray Donovan.

Holmes rescheduled her audition for her high school musical

Holmes earned the role of Joey at just 18. She auditioned via videotape during her senior year so she could stay in Ohio and participate in her high school musical, Damn Yankees. “They gave me a role, which was really exciting for me,” she told Jimmy Fallon in 2018. Holmes portrayed Lola, who’s part of multiple musical numbers.

When creator Kevin Williamson and the WB executives asked her to come in and audition in person, Holmes faced a struggle. “I kind of made a commitment, so I probably can’t break that,” Holmes explained of her thought process. Fortunately, they worked with her, and she got to test for the role later. The rest is history.

Joey sings ‘On My Own’ in a beauty pageant

In Dawson’s Creek Season 1, Joey spends much of her time preoccupied with her crush on Dawson. This puts her at odds with newcomer Jen Lindley, who Dawson dates briefly. When Jen and Dawson breakup, the former tries to befriend Joey. One way in which she does this is by trying to help Joey win a beauty pageant.

Joey isn’t interested in the contest but agrees in hopes of earning prize money for college. During the talent portion, she sings “On My Own” from the musical Les Misérables, a song about a teenage girl in love with a boy who doesn’t love her back. Not only does it fit her situation, but it catches Dawson’s attention.

Many find her ‘Dawson’s Creek’ performances awkward

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Joey doesn’t become a singer by trade. But she does take to the stage seasons later when she surprises her friends by singing the Cheap Trick tune “I Want You To Want Me.” She even joined a band. And while those on screen may have enjoyed it, several Reddit users out there don’t share the same sentiment.

“I love the show, but I just do not understand this need for someone who cannot sing to have to sing multiple times as part of their character development,” wrote one. Another chimed in, “The most unbelievable plot point in any show ever is that Joey Potter was a good singer.” Her talent appears to be up for debate.

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