Nicole Scherzinger and the Pussycat Dolls in 2003.Photo:MJ Kim/Getty
MJ Kim/Getty
Nicole Scherzingeris looking back on her time withthe Pussycat Dolls.
The pop star rose to global fame in 2005 with the release of the girl group’s debut single “Don’t Cha.” Two albums (PCDandDoll Domination) and eight Top 40 singles (including “Buttons” and “When I Grow Up”) followed, but the dance-pop troupe disbanded in 2010.
“Our group was never set up like theSpice Girls. Our group was set up where I would be the quarterback, and I would lead us,” Scherzinger, 45, recalls of their singular set-up. “The girls are extremely strong, talented dancers, and I had to work hard to be able to stand next to them.”
Nicole Scherzinger with Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell on ‘The X Factor’ in 2017.Dymond/Thames/Syco/Shutterstock
Dymond/Thames/Syco/Shutterstock
Despite the group’s ups and downs over the years, Scherzinger — who has said she recorded the majority of the vocals on the albums — says she looks back on her time with the Pussycat Dolls fondly.
“I always used to be made to feel like . . . I don’t know, not ashamed, but . . . I’m very proud that the albums are my music. I put the work in after all these years, and that’s OK that I have the credit because everybody has their own strengths. And this is what I bring to the table,” she says. “Those were world-class pop records that had many No. 1s around the world. And I love my girls, and I’ll always have love for them — I only wish them the best.”
‘The Masked Singer’ judges Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger in 2022.FOX via Getty
FOX via Getty
After the Dolls disbanded, Scherzinger took several reality competition judging gigs, fromThe X Factor(sheput together One Direction!) toThe Masked Singer,where she works withRobin Thicke,Jenny McCarthyandKen Jeong.
“I really appreciate the family within the show — the camaraderie, the chemistry that we have. It’s not every day you can go to work and genuinely love the people,” says Scherzinger, who just returned for her tenth season of the show. “They make it not feel like work. We get to just play and have fun and be ourselves — and I think we bring out the best in each other.”
Nicole Scherzinger in ‘Sunset Boulevard’.BACKGRID
BACKGRID
However, Scherzinger will be stepping away fromThe Masked Singerto star in the West End revival ofSunset Boulevardin London. Despite her pop career, Scherzinger feels her talents have “absolutely” been underestimated.
source: people.com
