Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Elikolani Prescovia Scherzinger (born June 29, 1978) is an Filipino-American singer/dancer/songwriter and actress best known for her work as the lead vocalist for The Pussycat Dolls.

Biography

Nicole Elikolani Prescovia was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Filipino father and a Hawaiian/Russian mother and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with stepfather Gary Scherzinger who is of Polish descent, mother Rosemary and sister Ke'ala. Nicole took on her step-father's German last name, as he raised her and she has always considered him to be her dad. She began her life as a performer in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville. Scherzinger majored in theater arts at Wright State University, but put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band Days of the New.

Eden's Crush

In 2001 she competed in the premiere season of The WB's television show Popstars, on which she earned a spot in the all-girl pop group Eden's Crush. The group's 2001 single "Get Over Yourself" peaked at #1 in sales and hit the top five on Billboard Hot 100. "Love This Way" was the second single chosen from the Popstars album; however, their record company folded and the group disbanded. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi contributed one track: "Two Way".

The Pussycat Dolls

On the 6/4/2003, following her stint with Eden's Crush, Scherzinger joined The Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe, who were being re-cast as recording artists. She had first seen them performing on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2002, where Carmen Electra sang Big Spender from the Bob Fosse musical Sweet Charity. In 2006 Scherzinger said "It caught my eye because I’d played Velma Kelly in (the Fosse musical) Chicago in college." [1]

The Pussycat Dolls now have world-wide status as a popular singing group; their Billboard top five hits include "Don't Cha", "Buttons", "Beep (song)" and "Stickwitu". The album PCD went platinum in 2006. Scherzinger is the only group member with a songwriting credit on this album. She co-wrote "I Don't Need a Man" with Kara DioGuardi and producer Rich Harrison (another collaboration with DioGuardi, "Flirt", appeared later as a bonus track). Scherzinger sang nearly all lead and backing vocals on the album, with Melody Thornton and Carmit Bachar contributing backup and additional leading vocals only in "Beep," "Buttons," "Right Now," and "Tainted Love."

In 2006, she is touring with The Pussycat Dolls for their album promotion. It was revealed in 2006 that the Dolls are salaried employees of Interscope Records, giving the label a high level of control over the group's finances and business decisions.

In July 2006, it was announced that Scherzinger is going solo, after she has fulfilled her immediate commitments to The Pussycat Dolls, and would not be a part of the Dolls' second album. Scherzinger was contracted only for PCD, the accompanying tour and promotional duties.

Solo career

Her recorded appearances as a backing vocalist or guest vocalist are listed in the discography below. In 2003 Scherzinger sang live at the Tokyo International Forum, performing "I'll Be Your Love" a song by composer Yoshiki.[2]

On television, she appeared on the television shows My Wife and Kids and Half & Half, and had an extra position in the movie Love Don't Cost a Thing.

She has been working on a solo album since late 2005, tentatively titled "His Afrodisiac" and expected to be released in November 2006 . A recently completed track, tentatively titled "Steam", was leaked on the Internet days after it was recorded with Bryan Michael Cox. Another track "Groove Tonight", leaked to the internet, has been mistakenly attributed to Scherzinger. It appears this song is by Nicole Wray and Mannie Fresh.

Personal life

Nicole Scherzinger was once engaged to Nick Hexum, the lead singer of the popular alternative rock band 311; their 2002 hit single "Amber" was written for Scherzinger.

Selected discography

Year	Contribution	Album	Main Artist	Note
1999	backing vocals	Days of the New II	Days of the New
2001	lead vocals	Popstars album	Eden's Crush
2001	"Tribute to the Lakers (It Takes Two)"	single	Shaquille O'Neal
2003	"Breakfast in Bed" (cover version)	50 First Dates soundtrack	Various Artists	Lead vocal as Nicole Kea
2005	lead vocals	PCD	The Pussycat Dolls
2005	"If U Can't Dance (Slide)"	Lost & Found	Will Smith	Featured on track
2005	"Supa Hypnotic" "Don't Ask Her That"	Clothes Drop	Shaggy	Featured on tracks
2006	"Lie About Us"	Director	Avant	Featured on track
2006	"Il Mio Miracolo (You Are My Miracle)"	Vittorio	Vittorio Grigolo	Featured on track
2006	"Come To Me"	Press Play	P. Diddy	Featured on track
2006	"What's On Ya Mind?"	The Duchess	Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas	Featured on track

External links

• The Pussycat Dolls Official Site
• Nicole Scherzinger at IMDb
• Hott Stuff: Pussycat Dolls Forum