Katharine McPhee's infidelity with a married man reportedly had a negative affected on his marriage but may also take a toll on the actress' career, according to Fox News

The former American Idol contestant was photographed kissing Smash director Michael Morris on Oct. 20. Morris' wife and the mother of their three children, Mary McCormack, now wants out of her 10-year marriage.

Will the scandal have an impact on McPhee's ability to secure jobs in Hollywood?

"This probably won't affect Katharine McPhee's sales or her ability to get roles in the near future but her likability factor will be seriously tarnished," Jamie Krauss - PR Director at the Narrative Group, told FOX411. "When female stars act as homewreckers , the American public, but particularly women, tend to sour to them very fast. Look at Kristen Stewart or Leann Rimes or even Angelina Jolie. All of them took a lot of heat for their famous affairs."

Krauss noted some of the most famous infidelity cases in the film industry: Kristen Stewart cheating on Robert Pattinson with director Rupert Sanders; married LeAnn Rimes having an affair with wed actor Eddie Cibrian; and Angelina Jolie coming in between Brad Pitt's marriage to Jennifer Aniston.

Ken Shadford, director at Maxim TV, thought differently about McPhee's situation.

"Having an affair with this director, this sort of thing usually helps someone's career in this day and age,." he said. "Just this side of a sex tape, getting in the scandal sheets is sort of the way to go to help your career."

Krauss added that the actress could use the media attention to bolster her celebrity status.

"Katharine McPhee isn't exactly Angelina Jolie and I think when you have that superstar status, you have a little more back-story to work off," he said. "But Katharine McPhee was kind of coined as an American sweetheart after 'American Idol' and that's kind of what she's been working with ever since and that's really what she needs to perpetuate her career."

Morris and McPhee have yet to publicly comment on the photo of them kissing.