Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger Biography

Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger ( ; born June 29, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter and television personality. After beginning her career as a member of both Days of the New and Eden's Crush, she achieved widespread recognition as the lead vocalist of pop group The Pussycat Dolls, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time, before commencing her career as a solo recording artist in 2007.

Following the disbandment of The Pussycat Dolls in 2010, Scherzinger's personal struggles sent her career into hiatus. Scherzinger returned to prominence as she took artistic control over her debut solo album, Killer Love (2011) and its singles "Right There" and "Don't Hold Your Breath" performed well on international charts. In addition to her solo work, Scherzinger has collaborated with numerous other artists, including being featured on the worldwide hits "Come to Me" (with Diddy) and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" (with A.R. Rahman). She has also served as a judge on The X Factor in the United Kingdom since 2012, and for the first season in the United States in 2011.

As the primary voice on record for The Pussycat Dolls, both in the studio and onstage, Scherzinger has sold 50 million records worldwide and a further 16 million as a solo artist. Scherzinger's work with the group has earned her numerous awards and accolades. In 2009, Billboard ranked The Pussycat Dolls, as one of the top ten most successful musical acts of the 2000s. In 2011, Rolling Stone recognized her instant success as one of the best dancing musicians, ranking her ninth in the world, while VH1's included her as one of the "100 Greatest Women in Music" in 2012, and was ranked eighth "Sexiest Artist of All Time" in 2013.

Biography

1978"2003: Early life and career beginnings

Scherzinger was born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente in Honolulu, Hawaii, into a staunchly Roman Catholic family. Her father, Alfonso Valiente, is of Filipino descent, and her mother, Rosemary Elikolani, is of half-Hawaiian and half-Ukrainian and/or Russian descent. Her mother was eighteen at the time of Scherzinger's birth and lived in an inner city neighborhood. Scherzinger's parents separated when she was still a baby. When she was six years old, her maternal family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with her sister, Keala, and her German American stepfather, Gary Scherzinger. She took her stepfather's surname after he adopted her. She first attended Bowen Elementary, and later attended Meyzeek Middle School as an adolescent. Scherzinger states that, growing up, her family did not have a lot of money, and she thanks her mother for all the support she gave her to become what she is today. Scherzinger began performing in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School, and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville. As a teenager, Scherzinger was the first runner-up at the 1996 Kentucky State Fair's Coca-Cola Talent Classic contest.

In college, Scherzinger majored in musical theatre at Wright State University, where she had a role in Chicago and in Show Boat. She then put her studies in art on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band, Days of the New. Band leader Travis Meeks claims that after touring for the album, the two grew apart creatively and that despite being an "amazing entertainer," she "didn't seem to understand music very well." In 2001, Scherzinger went on to audition on The WB's television show, Popstars in which she auditioned with Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You". Scherzinger later won the show as part of Eden's Crush, in which she was one of the lead vocalists for the group. The group released the single, "Get Over Yourself", which charted within the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. They later went on to tour with 'N Sync and Jessica Simpson. will.i.am approached Scherzinger to become a member of The Black Eyed Peas, but her boyfriend at the time, Nick Hexum forced her to decline as he controlled her entire career to try to make her a solo artist. The position was eventually given to Fergie. In late 2001, the band's record company, London-Sire Records, went bankrupt, and the group split. Scherzinger subsequently made a few promotional solo appearances under the stage name of Nicole Kea, including covering "Breakfast in Bed" for the soundtrack to 50 First Dates in 2003. Scherzinger also worked with Yoshiki of Japanese rock band X Japan on his Violet UK project. She sang the English version of "I'll Be Your Love" live with the Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra. The track also appeared on the 2003 Various Artists album Exposition of Global Harmony.

2003"10: The Pussycat Dolls

Main article: The Pussycat Dolls

In May 2003, Scherzinger joined The Pussycat Dolls, a burlesque troupe, as a lead singer, when they were re-cast as recording artists. She had first seen them performing on the Late Show with David Letterman in November 2002, where Carmen Electra sang "Big Spender" from the Bob Fosse musical Sweet Charity. Scherzinger's first recordings with the band was in two soundtracks in 2004, for the films Shark Tale and Shall We Dance?. The newly formed recording group's first single was "Sway" from Shall We Dance?, with a music video inspired by the movie. In September 2005, the band released PCD, an album combined with several dance-pop songs interlacing their burlesque style, while the second half of the album contain tributes and covers. The album peaked at number one in New Zealand, the top-five in Canada, the Netherlands and the United States, and top-ten in United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. PCD has sold three million copies in the US. Worldwide, PCD has sold ten million copies. The album received several certifications in multiple countries and became a best selling album from a girl group. Their first single, "Don't Cha" was a global commercial success, reaching number one in multiple countries. Worldwide, the song has sold more than 7 million copies, making it one of the best selling singles of all time. The band went onto release five more successful singles from the album "? "Stickwitu", "Beep", "Buttons", "I Don't Need a Man" and "Wait a Minute". "Stickwitu" was later nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group. The group was selected to perform for the introduction for ABC's coverage of the NBA. They also toured with The Black Eyed Peas on their Honda Civic Tour and Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics Tour.

In 2008, the band returned with a comeback single, "When I Grow Up" which became another hit single, charting in the top 10 in numerous countries. A second single "Whatcha Think About That" was released with Missy Elliott in European countries before the album and had moderate success internationally. The group's second album Doll Domination was released on September 19, 2008 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 80,000 copies sold in its first week of release. Worldwide, Doll Domination sold five million copies. Three more successful singles were released from the album "? "I Hate This Part", "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and "Hush Hush" One less successful single was also released, which was a collaboration with Snoop Dogg "? "Bottle Pop". The band began their second world tour, Doll Domination Tour in early 2009. Both Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo supported the Pussycat Dolls on the UK leg. and were opening acts for the tour. In mid-2009, Scherzinger and the band joined Britney Spears' on her The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour as an opening act for the first leg in North America. In April 2009, Scherzinger confirmed to Billboard that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music. Scherzinger left the group in 2010. Scherzinger later admitted that she cried when she saw the first outfit she would have to wear as a member of the band. As of 2012, group has sold 50 million records worldwide.

2006"09: Solo releases and The Sing-Off

With the success of the group's debut album, it brought Scherzinger into the media spotlight, which resulted in a series of duets and guest vocals with many male vocalists. Following the hiatus of the group, Scherzinger began working on a solo album. She sang co-lead vocals with Avant on his single "Lie About Us" in 2006. Scherzinger then collaborated with Diddy on "Come to Me" which became Scherzinger's first solo top-ten hit on Billboard Hot 100. Scherzinger's first recording during her solo career, "Whatever U Like" featuring T.I. was released as the album's lead single. The song failed to make a chart appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 and promotional plans were scrapped. Following the poor commercial success of the song, "Baby Love" was released and managed to reach the top twenty in most international countries. As a result of a majority of the singles charting poorly in the US, Scherzinger decided not to release any further singles from the album and at Scherzinger's request, Her Name Is Nicole was shelved. Two promotional singles were released from the album "? "Supervillain" and "Puakenikeni" respectively and also both failed to chart.

In April 2008, Scherzinger recorded a cover version of "Rio" by Duran Duran for an advertising campaign for Unilever's Caress brand of body wash. In 2008, in support of Barack Obama, she was one of many musicians to contribute to a track by will.i.am called "Yes We Can". Also on September 5, 2008, Scherzinger joined an all-star cast to perform the charity song "Just Stand Up" on live TV. In December 2009, Scherzinger served as a celebrity judge on NBC's reality singing competition, The Sing-Off, along with singer-songwriter Ben Folds and Boyz II Men bandmember Shawn Stockman. The show was hosted by singer Nick Lachey. Scherzinger's role was to critique performances of the competitors and vote on eliminations in all but the final round, which was determined by audience vote. In the show finale, Scherzinger performed "You Don't Own Me" with competition finalists the Beelzebubs of Tufts University. She returned to her role as judge for a second season of The Sing-Off in December 2010, but did not return for a third season.

2010"12: Dancing with the Stars, Killer Love and The X Factor

On February 1, 2010, along with other artists, Scherzinger had re-recorded "We Are the World", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In March 2010, it was announced that Scherzinger would be a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars for the tenth season and would be partnered with Season 7 champion Derek Hough. On May 25, 2010, Scherzinger won season 10 of Dancing with the Stars alongside Hough. In June 2010, Scherzinger guest judged on seventh series of UK version of The X Factor auditions and has since been credited in the formation of One Direction as she was the one that came up with the idea. She later returned the same year to perform the lead single from her debut album, "Poison" which peaked at number three in the United Kingdom. Scherzinger returned with second single, "Don't Hold Your Breath" and topped the charts in the United Kingdom and also enjoyed success elsewhere outside of the United States. Killer Love was released a week later and became one of Britain's biggest-selling albums of 2011 and the twentieth best selling album by a female artist in 2011.

For its release in the US, "Right There" was remixed to serve as the first US and third overall single from her debut album, Killer Love. The song became an international worldwide hit, charting in top-ten in numerous countries. In June 2011, Scherzinger was announced as one of the judges for the first season of Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor. She later mentored the "Over 30s" category and was runner-up with Josh Krajcik. Scherzinger created immense controversy on the show when her vote was put to deadlock and the public vote sent home contestant Rachel Crow on December 8, 2011. Scherzinger also faced backlash from the fans of the show, which included boos from the audience and later, death threats. Scherzinger left the show after just one season as a judge. A further two more singles were released from Killer Love "? "Wet" and "Try with Me". Amongst shooting the music video for "Try with Me", Scherzinger, her team and choreographer Brian Friedman, were held at gunpoint by a local gang when they were travelling through the mountains to the Xilitla rainforest to shoot the video.

Following her exit in January, Scherzinger began her first solo tour in February 2012, The Killer Love Tour. Scherzinger portrayed Lily Poison in the film, Men in Black 3, which was released in May 2012. On June 15, 2012, Scherzinger signed a £750,000 contract to join the ninth series of The X Factor UK as a replacement judge for the departing Kelly Rowland. During her first season overseas, Scherzinger mentored the "Boys" category. Scherzinger was announced the winning mentor on December 9, 2012. All three acts in Scherzinger's category made it to the final five, the first time this has happened in the history of The X Factor. Two of her acts, James Arthur and Jahméme Douglas went on to become winner and runner-up respectively. On October 9, 2012, VH1 premiered a special Behind the Music TV documentary about Scherzinger life and career. In late 2012, Scherzinger featured on the latest studio album of the Italian singer, Eros Ramazzotti.

2013: Second album and return to The X Factor

On February 23, 2013, Scherzinger was honored by the Harvard Foundation as "2013 Artist of the Year" for her contributions in performing arts, support for breast cancer research and initiatives for adults and children with special needs. On March 31, 2013, Scherzinger performed "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" on ITV for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 40th special anniversary. Scherzinger's second studio album will be released November 2013. The lead single, "Boomerang", debuted and peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart. Aside from enlisting will.i.am to executively produce her second album, Scherzinger also recorded vocals on the song "Far Away from Home" for his fourth studio album, #willpower. On May 23, 2013, Scherzinger was confirmed as a returning judge for the tenth series of The X Factor UK with a pay raise of £1.5 million. She later made headlines singing the national anthem at the L.A. Dodgers baseball game on July 31, 2013.

Artistry

Musical style and voice

s pulsating chorus, where accompanied by a toxic beat, Scherzinger sings about "bad-girl power" and "poisonous intentions". |format=Ogg|filename2=Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny).ogg|title2="Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)"|description2=About.com said: "Jai Ho!" abundantly deserves its place, and the vocals of head Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger will have pop fans singing as well as dancing along. Look for this song to set up a long residency scaling pop charts around the world."}} Scherzinger's music is generally contemporary R&B, however her music has a feature of soul, pop and dance-pop in some of her songs. While Scherzinger exclusively releases English language songs, she recorded Hindi lyrics in the Pussycat Dolls' version of "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". Ron Fair and Jimmy Iovine asked Scherzinger to turn the song into a pop song. Throughout Scherzinger's career, her vocal range and music has been compared to Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Britney Spears, Sugababes, Rihanna, and Beyoncé Knowles. Scherzinger is also a classically trained opera musician. After she won reality television singing competition, Popstars with Eden's Crush, she later joined pop group Pussycat Dolls and while in the group, Scherzinger was exposed to burlesque themes. The band were known for giving jazz performances in their first debut album with records of "Sway" and "Feelin' Good". While in the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger has received co-writing credits for a lot of the songs which were recorded with her vocals. While in the group she has co-wrote hit singles "? "Stickwitu, "Buttons", "I Don't Need a Man", "Bottle Pop", "Hush Hush" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". Since leaving the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger has been artistically been involved in her music career.

Scherzinger's songs are written from personal experiences, as she said thay are "personal and heartfelt" tracks. She co-wrote the majority of her first studio album, Killer Love. Scherzinger's songs have been described as "sexual innuendo" and "funky electronica" which are also backed by "electro beats". In August 2010, RedOne revealed that he was working on Scherzinger's debut album, stating: "I just finished her album. Her last one never came out because it wasn't consistent. Her new record " it's the real her." Scherzinger said a lot of her first studio album was about her split with Lewis Hamilton before they reunited. Scherzinger said that she wanted to create songs which "lend themselves to live performances". She said she likes to record "empowering" ballads. Scherzinger's vocals on ballads have been compared to Kelly Clarkson. She said that she wanted her debut album to be "in your face and strong". She told MTV "I've always said that in the Pussycat Dolls, I kind of feel like Superwoman. But that's just one of my alter egos. I've got the vulnerable, lovesick side of me amongst others which all appear on my record."

Influences

Scherzinger credits Whitney Houston as her greatest musical influence and idol, as she said she wanted to "be Whitney" when she was growing up. She admired Houston so much that she auditioned with her version of "I Will Always Love You" at her Popstars audition. When Scherzinger was growing up in her home town of Louisville, she received a Christmas gift at the age of six. It was a tiny purple boombox and a cassette of Whitney Houston's chart-topping 1985 self-titled debut album. "My parents had no money, but they got me this player and Whitney's album, which had "The Greatest Love of All" on it," Scherzinger recalls. "That was it for me. From that moment on I wanted to sing. Her voice was so powerful; every note she sang just felt like the truth." Scherzinger also named Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Sade Adu, Alanis Morissette, Toni Braxton and Tina Turner as her biggest influences to Scherzinger while growing up. Scherzinger said that Beyoncé Knowles also inspired her, stating: "I am inspired by women like Beyoncé who wear costumes that aren't much but they are real artists and they put real artistry into what they do and that is how I pride myself." Scherzinger said while she is on stage performing, she borrows personas of Tina Turner and Mick Jagger: "The way he [Mick Jagger] prances around stage and the poise he has on stage. But I love Tina Turner's attitude and sass. I steal from her all the time, especially being the lead singer of this group, the Pussycat Dolls, to be fearless and just have that attitude and that soul behind you. Scherzinger also cites Gwen Stefani as an influences. Janet Jackson and M.I.A are also influences to her. When Scherzinger was older, Mariah Carey became a huge influence to her. She also wished to work with The Black Eyed Peas saying she admired their music. Scherzinger is also a fan of Adele. Critically acclaimed, "Pop Prince", Prince also became a big influence when she was in her teens. Michael Jackson was one of Scherzinger's biggest influences and idols. Paula Abdul, who Scherzinger sat alongside on the judging panel of The X Factor was one of her influences. When she gained the role on Men in Black 3, Scherzinger said that music was a very big part of her inspiration for the character, which she plays for the film. She said, "I listened to my heavier music and I listened to Led Zeppelin and I kind of got in that frame of mind because music is what inspires me most. I worked with my acting coach a lot and she told me about lots of crazy things to think about while I was in character, but I better not tell you what she said." Scherzinger said that the role has inspired her to record differently on her second studio album.

Public image

Scherzinger is most recognized as the voice behind The Pussycat Dolls. She aspires to be recognized as a solo artist. She became the primary voice on record for the group and the leader of the group both in the studio and onstage. As a former member of the group, Scherzinger is the most successful as a solo artist, having sold 16 million records, thus far. Negative press appeared in which her music, music videos, performances and her image were unfavorably compared to those of Beyoncé. In 2006, while on tour, Scherzinger ran into trouble in Kuala Lumpur with the authorities for sexually explicit dancing. Her performance, part of the PCD World Tour, was not well received in the Muslim state which frowned upon the "eye-popping attire" and "sexually suggestive stage routines" ans she was fined $3000 for the incident.

Scherzinger is an avid supporter of gay rights, and is often vocal about her beliefs on the opinion. On November 24, 2012, Scherzinger posed for a "Some People Are Gay, Get Over It" T-shirt, part of a campaign from Stonewall, in support of same-sex marriage. Scherzinger's popularity within the gay community increased due to her work the Pussycat Dolls. One of the songs written by Scherzinger, "I Don't Need a Man", was dedicated to all of her gay fans. She explained: "Whoever I could inspire, I wanted to inspire them. It's about the messages of empowerment and loving yourself for who you are." Scherzinger is also very vocal when it comes to bullying. She believes in acceptance and recalls receiving knock backs and the message of her music releases show how she dealt with them.

She admits it is very "frustrating" to read about the media's portrayal of her as "a man-eater". Scherzinger ended her relationship with Lewis Hamilton in October 2011, before the pair got back together and she had been linked to a number of different men, but insists none of the rumors are true. In July 2013, Scherzinger posed semi-nude for a "Protect the Skin You're In" T-shirt, part of a campaign by fashion designer Marc Jacobs to raise awareness and cash for melanoma research. All of the sales will benefit the NYU Cancer Institute and NYU Langone Medical Center.

Scherzinger's style in fashion has been influenced by rock n' roll as she prefers wearing a "grown up" style of clothing, which could be seen on her very first solo tour. The outfits she wore as a Pussycat Doll and sexual dance moves they performed has continued ever since she embarked on her solo career. Scherzinger politely addressed the issue: "I think I am able to handle myself in a good manner and hopefully I'm a positive role model for other girls out there. I think my style is a little edgier now." Scherzinger claims she would be much more successful as a solo artist if she were "more slutty". She also enjoys experimenting with new looks to suit her mood. Scherzinger also wore the very first Twitter dress at the EE launch party. In 2012, Scherzinger was ranked number one on Complex's "Hottest Singing Competition Winners Worldwide". She was also ranked eighth "Sexiest Artist of All Time" by VH1 in 2013. Scherzinger was ranked third on "Hottest Women in Music" by FHM in 2013.

Legacy

Since the beginning of her career, Scherzinger has earned numerous awards and honors. She is mainly credited for her work with The Pussycat Dolls, leading the group to become one of the best selling girl groups of all time and of the 2000s decade. Scherzinger has been given several pop culture titles, including, "Princess of Pop" and the "Queen Doll" becoming an international pop culture icon following her debut. Since the beginning of her career in 1999, Scherzinger has sold 80 million records worldwide. In February 2013, Scherzinger was honored by The Harvard Foundation as "2013 Artist of the Year" for her contributions in performing arts, support for breast cancer research and initiatives for adults and children with special needs. In April 2013, she was awarded with the "Outstanding Achievement in Music Award" at The Asian Awards. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked Scherzinger the ninth best dancing musician of all time. In February 2012, Scherzinger was ranked within the Top 100 on VH1's "Greatest Woman in Music". In 2009, Billboard also ranked Scherzinger as one of the most successful musical act of the 2000s.

One of Scherzinger's biggest hits, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" created a milestone for Billboard Hot 100 with a biggest single-week upward movement ranked fifth place in the lifetime of the Hot 100, moving up eighty-five places. Following this achievement that same year, The Official Charts Company listed "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" along with "Don't Cha" at number thirty-nine and five, as of the most downloaded song since its launch, respectively. "Jai Ho! (You are My Destiny)" made Scherzinger one of only five other artists to reach number one in digital downloads in Australia, as well as making it one of the best selling songs there and in the United Kingdom. alongside "Don't Cha", as of July 2009. Both "Don't Cha" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" strongly defines Scherzinger to most people as it contributed to her breakout as a global superstar. On September 29, 2011, "Don't Cha", was included in VH1's "Greatest Songs of '00s". Worldwide, "Don't Cha" has sold more than 7 million copies, making it one of the best selling singles of all time. The song helped PCD become one the best selling albums by a girl group, having sold over 10 million copies with gold or platinum certification in more than thirty-six countries.

Scherzinger's television and music video impact has also been acknowledged in pop culture; VH1 and Billboard both ranked Scherzinger eighth "Sexiest Artist of All Time" and "Pop's Sexiest Stars" in 2013 and 2010. In 2013, Fuse included Scherzinger on the list of "50 Girls Who Run The World" and the "Top 100 Pop Breakthroughs". In 2012, Fuse ranked the music video for "Buttons" on the list of "Top 100 Sexiest Music Videos of All Time" and "Stickwitu" and the former on the list of the "Top 100 Number Ones". In 2007, MuchMusic ranked "Buttons" at number four in the list of the "50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time". In 2010, Simon Cowell praised Scherzinger's performance ability, respectively calling her "one of the best live performers I've ever seen" and "if you want an example of how you do it right... its Nicole. It's focus, performance, vocals...". Also in 2010, Scherzinger won the season ten championship of Dancing with the Stars with Derek Hough, her partner. She also made The X Factor history as the first judge to have worked on the US and UK shows. In season nine of the show, all three acts in Scherzinger's category made it to the final five, the first time this has happened in the history of The X Factor. She also had both lasting contestants in the final show.

Other ventures

Products and endorsements

Scherzinger had re-recorded "Don't Cha" in Simlish for inclusion in the computer game The Sims 2: Pets. She has also recorded a version of "GoldenEye" "? the theme song of the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye "? for the 2010 video game GoldenEye 007. She also appeared in character form in the computer game Asphalt: Urban GT 2 in November 2006. Scherzinger's solo and Pussycat Dolls songs have been featured in an array of dance and singing games including "? Just Dance 2 , Zumba Fitness 2, Get Up and Dance, Everybody Dance, Just Dance: Greatest Hits and SingStar. In 2010, she made a commercial for the C&A campaign. In December 2011, Scherzinger began endorsing the imPress Nails manicure line and has her own signature series. Later in 2012, Scherzinger became the ambassador for Herbal Essences. In March 2013, Scherzinger was announced as an ambassador for British Airways promoting first class routes to Moscow. In April 2013, it was announced that Scherzinger will be the face of Müller Corner, a range of luxury yogurts and front TV and print campaigns.

Acting and musical theatre

Scherzinger has made minor appearances as an actress. She appeared in the TV comedy, Half & Half, My Wife and Kids and the 2003 film, Love Don't Cost a Thing. She also had a role in 2001 as one of the "Pop Stars" in the episode, "Finally!", of the show Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and also made appearances in Wanda at Large, Chasing Papi, Be Cool and Cane. Scherzinger was intended to be cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming movie with the Filipino Boxing Champion, Manny Pacquiao, together with professional wrestler, Dave Batista. She was about to play the leading lady of the Filipino Champ, but her audition was cancelled and the role went to the Filipina actress, Ruffa Mae Quinto. She also made an appearance in the Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush, as herself. In 2010 Scherzinger appeared in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Glitter", as Robin Scherbatsky's former best friend, Jessica Glitter. Scherzinger portrayed Lily Poison in the film Men in Black 3, released May 25, 2012. She appeared on the covers of numerous Cosmopolitan editions (British, Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Italian, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Mexican, Mongolian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and others). Scherzinger frequently has appeared in FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women poll, ranking #49 in 2006, #22 in 2007, #49 in 2008, #60 in 2009, and #73 in 2010. In 2011, she jumped 64 places to rank #9.

Scherzinger majored in acting and musical theatre at Wright State University, where she played Velma Kelly in Chicago and Julie La Verne in Show Boat. She put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band, Days of the New. In late 2009, it was reported that Scherzinger was working closely with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the musical Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Although she has not yet appeared in the show, her version of the title song - Love Never Dies - was played on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Friday 1 April 2011. June 2010, it was announced that Scherzinger would take on the role of Maureen in the Hollywood Bowl production of the rock musical Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris. She played the role from August 6"8, 2010. As part of the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera, Scherzinger performed the title song at The Royal Variety Performance - held in The Lowry, Manchester - on Monday 5 December 2011. She performed alongside four former Phantoms (Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, John Owen-Jones and Ramin Karimloo). The performance was aired on ITV1 on Wednesday 14 December 2011. On March 31, 2013, Scherzinger performed "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" for the "Andrew Lloyd Webber 40 Years" special anniversary.

In May 2013, Scherzinger endowed the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School with a $2,000 scholarship named after herself, titled the "Nicole Scherzinger Performing Arts Scholarship".

Philanthropy

Besides her career in music, Scherzinger has also contributed to various charities. For natural disasters, Scherzinger has helped various relief efforts. She was to appear on the single "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" to benefit a donation to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake in 2010. Along with the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger raised money for a charity fundraiser to assist breast cancer research in Australia with all proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in 2008.

She has also performed for many music events that donated to charities such as performing alongside Lea Michele for a performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Los Angeles. In February 2012, Scherzinger attended the third annual Women in Music event which benefited the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. Early in the evening a check for $30,000 was presented to VH1 Save The Music on behalf.

She's admitted that on some weekends, she visits associations for adults with special needs. Scherzinger says she enjoys her charitable endeavors so much, the work has ceased to be selfless and become a mere pursuit of her own pleasure, "I don't know if it's selfish because I get so much fulfillment out of it, but it excites me to be with special-needs kids and families. My aunt has Down's syndrome so it's very close to my heart," says Scherzinger. In June 2013, Scherzinger showed support for the Special Olympics at a tea party for British athletes. Additionally, Scherzinger plans for a "Special Needs Charity Camp". Inspired by her aunt who suffers from Down syndrome, she hopes to give disabled kids a special place to sing and learn to play instruments.

Most recently, Scherzinger has been active with Comic Relief, which aims to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people, which [we] believe requires investing in work that addresses people's immediate needs as well as tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice". Scherzinger has also contributed to human trafficking charities such as the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking where, in May 2013, she participated in the "From Slavery to Freedom" event to raise money.

Personal life

Scherzinger met Nick Hexum of rock band 311 backstage at a Days of the New concert in 2001. They dated and later became engaged, but broke it off around November 2004. She was the inspiration for their song "Amber" and appeared in the music video. She also dated actor Talan Torriero from 2005 to 2007, during her first years with the Pussycat Dolls. From 2008 to 2010, Scherzinger was in a relationship with the formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton. In January 2010, it was announced that Hamilton and Scherzinger had split up. The couple reunited until another split in 2011 due to conflicting work schedules. They reportedly reunited again in January 2012, but by July 2013 they had once more ended the relationship.

In 2012, Scherzinger publicly revealed her eight-year struggle with bulimia, explaining how during her time in the Pussycat Dolls, "I just hated myself. I was in a group but I never felt so alone in my life ... I never did drugs, but hurting myself was my addiction. The music is what saved me. That's the only thing I can trust."

The X Factor controversies

In week 7 of The X Factor US, Scherzinger voted to eliminate contestant Rachel Crow from the show over Marcus Canty; this took the results to deadlock. Immediately after the results were revealed, Crow collapsed onstage and cried inconsolably. Scherzinger was visibly upset by the result. Steve Jones asked Scherzinger if she had anything to say, but she shook her head and turned away. Following this, Crow was eliminated and Scherzinger was booed off the stage and her future on the show was put in jeopardy. She subsequently received death threats from some viewers, to which fellow judge Simon Cowell defended her, saying "If there are death threats and stuff like that, it's crazy. Nicole is not a vindictive person." According to an interview with People Magazine, Scherzinger admitted feeling regrets voting Crow off the show and felt like she let her down. "When I saw that look on her face [I felt] that I let her down, like I dropped her. I could have been holding on and I dropped her," Scherzinger told People. On September 30, 2012, Scherzinger decided to put Rylan Clark through to live shows on The X Factor UK which caused controversy for both. They both received death threats from some viewers on Twitter.

Discography

See Nicole Scherzinger discography for more information

Killer Love (2011)

Filmography

Main article: Nicole Scherzinger videography

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Nominated work
2007	ASCAP Awards Most Performed Songs	"Buttons" (The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg)
2007	BMI Urban Awards Award Winning Songs	"Come to Me" (Diddy featuring Nicole Scherzinger)
2007	Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	"Stickwitu"
2008	BMI Pop Awards Award Winning Songs	"Buttons" (The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg)
2009	MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography	"Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)" (A.R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls)
2010	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Shoddiest Pop Video	"Poison"
2010	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Best Comeback	Herself
2010	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Worst Attempt at Launching a Solo Career	Herself
2010	Virgin Media Music Award Hottest Look	Herself
2011	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Worst Attempt at Launching a Solo Career	Herself
2011	TRL Awards Best Look	Herself
2011	4Music Video Honours Best Girl	Herself
2011	4Music Video Honours Best Video	"Don't Hold Your Breath"
2011	4Music Video Honours Best Video	"Right There"
2012	Cosmopolitan Fun, Fearless Female of the Year	Herself
2012	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Worst Attempt at Launching a Solo Career	Herself
2012	Pop Justice Readers' Poll Didn't Have it, Found it in 2012	Herself
2012	Teen Choice Award for Scene Stealer Female	Men in Black 3
2013	Social Television Award Music Award	"Boomerang"
2013	The Asian Awards Outstanding Achievement in Music	Herself
2013	The Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year	Herself
2013	Glamour Awards TV Personality	Herself

Tours

The Killer Love Tour (2012)