Nicole Scherzinger, the 45-year-old singer and actress, recently opened up about the challenging period she faced while being a part of the iconic pop group, The Pussycat Dolls. The group, which gained massive fame in the early 2000s, was known for its high-energy performances and chart-topping hits. However, behind the glitz and glamour, Scherzinger revealed that the experience was far from easy.
Reflecting on her time with the group, Scherzinger described it as a “difficult time” marked by an intense and grueling schedule. The band, which consisted of six members including Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta, and Melody Thornton, was constantly on the move, touring and releasing new music. This relentless pace took a toll on Scherzinger, leading to severe sleep deprivation. “We were never allowed to sleep in our schedule,” she said, calling the demanding routine a “recipe for disaster.”
Scherzinger noted that the music industry has evolved since her time with The Pussycat Dolls. “It’s a lot different now. They have rules set in place and, you know, it’s more of a woke community now,” she told The Times. “But it wasn’t like that when we were doing it. It was just kind of like, ‘Work them to the bone until they’re passed out.’”
One of the most significant challenges Scherzinger faced was dealing with body dysmorphia. As a singer thrust into the spotlight alongside trained dancers, she felt immense pressure to conform to certain physical standards. “In the beginning, that was my biggest issue. The other girls were dancers first. So as dancers, you dance modern, and when you’re in class you’re pretty much dressed in underwear,” she explained. “A dancer’s body is the instrument; it’s beautiful. That’s the art. But I was a singer first. It was difficult for me in the beginning because I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin.”
Despite these challenges, Scherzinger eventually found a way to assert her individuality. She began to choose outfits that made her feel empowered, opting for styles that resonated with her personal taste. “I got to decide what clothes I wore and could say, ‘No, I want to wear trousers.’ I wanted to look like will.i.am and Gwen Stefani. So I got to wear clothes that I felt empowered in and then the girls got to choose what they wanted too.”
The Pussycat Dolls experienced a brief resurgence when they appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity five years ago and planned a reunion tour. However, the tour was put on hold in 2022, leading to tensions within the group. Dolls members Sutta and Bachar claimed that Scherzinger had pulled out without informing them, and the band’s founder, Robin Antin, reportedly sued Scherzinger over the situation.
Addressing the lawsuit, Scherzinger expressed her shock and disappointment. “We were in negotiations and everything was going well and, honestly, the lawsuit came out of nowhere. It was a complete shock and disappointment and heartbreak for me. But I’m not a victim; I’m a victor. And I stood my ground. I knew where I stood, which is why I responded with eight counter-claims. But, you know, I’m hopeful for the future. I’m very hopeful.”
Scherzinger’s journey from a pop group member to a solo artist and Broadway performer has been marked by resilience and determination. Born in Honolulu and raised in Kentucky, she started acting at the age of 14 and studied musical theatre at university. She has sold more than 60 million records worldwide, both as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls and as a solo artist. She has also voiced the character Sina in Disney’s Moana, starred in ABC’s remake of Dirty Dancing, and is a judge on the US edition of The Masked Singer.
Currently, Scherzinger stars as Norma Desmond in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. Returning to theatre after a decade away, she described the experience as a dream come true. “I grew up loving musical theatre and went to a performing arts school, so it’s always been in me. Music is the best way that I know to communicate. Why not do it through theatre, where you have the liberty to communicate the fullest way possible?”
Scherzinger’s portrayal of Norma Desmond is a modern-day interpretation of the iconic role, and she has embraced the physical demands of the performance. “This Norma’s dancing, darling. I’m bringing Scherzinger to the table. We’re going full Scherzy on this,” she said, adding that the story remains relevant today. “There are songs about how to make it in Hollywood which remain completely true. This industry is a harsh, savage beast. I know what it’s like to be the hot new thing on the block. You blink your eye, time goes by and you’re like: ‘Woah, where did it all go?’ The younger generation comes in and suddenly you’re fighting to be seen and have a voice. I’m still doing that.”
Despite the challenges she has faced, Scherzinger remains optimistic and driven. Her journey is a testament to her strength and resilience, and she continues to inspire others with her talent and determination.
Source: The Times, Getty Images
