Nicole Scherzinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicole Scherzinger
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Scherzinger in 2011
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Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente
June 29, 1978 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
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| Other names | Nicole Kea |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
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Nicole Scherzinger on screen and on stage |
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Nicole Scherzinger (born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente on June 29, 1978) is an American singer, actress, dancer, and television star. She is famous for being the lead singer of the girl group the Pussycat Dolls. She is also known for being a judge on TV shows like The X Factor and The Masked Singer.
As part of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger helped sell over 55 million records around the world. This made them one of the most successful girl groups ever. After the group, she released her own music and starred in movies and plays. She voiced the character Sina in the Disney movie Moana and has won major awards for her acting in stage musicals.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Performing
Nicole was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father is of Filipino descent, and her mother is of Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian descent. Her parents separated when she was a toddler. Later, her mother married Gary Scherzinger, who adopted Nicole and gave her his last name. When she was six, her family moved to Louisville, Kentucky.
Growing up, her family didn't have a lot of money. To help out, Nicole worked as a waitress and a model. She was raised in a religious family and went to church often.
At age 14, she began acting in plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. She attended a special high school for the arts where she starred in plays like Alice in Wonderland. After high school, she went to Wright State University to study theater and dance. Before finishing college, she left to tour with the rock band Days of the New as a backup singer.
Career Beginnings
2001–2002: Eden's Crush
In 2001, Scherzinger auditioned for a TV show called Popstars. The show's goal was to create a new girl group. She won a spot in the group, which was named Eden's Crush.
Their first song, "Get Over Yourself", was a big hit. Their album, also called Popstars, did well on the music charts. The group even toured with popular acts like 'N Sync and Jessica Simpson. However, their record label went out of business, and Eden's Crush broke up in 2002.
2003–2009: The Pussycat Dolls
In 2003, Scherzinger joined a new group called the Pussycat Dolls. It started as a dance group but was being turned into a music group. As the lead singer, Scherzinger sang most of the vocals and helped write songs for their first album, PCD (2005).
The album's first single, "Don't Cha", became a huge international hit. Other popular songs from the album included "Stickwitu" and "Buttons". "Stickwitu" was even nominated for a Grammy Award.
While in the group, Scherzinger also worked on her own music. She planned to release a solo album called Her Name is Nicole, but it was never released. Instead, she focused on the Pussycat Dolls' second album, Doll Domination (2008). This album had hits like "When I Grow Up" and "I Hate This Part".
In 2009, she was featured on the song "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The song was a number-one hit in 17 countries. After a world tour, the Pussycat Dolls took a break to work on their own projects.
Solo Career and Television Fame
2010–2012: Killer Love and The X Factor
In 2010, Scherzinger won the TV competition Dancing with the Stars. That same year, she was a guest judge on the British TV show The X Factor UK. She famously helped form the boy band One Direction during her time on the show.
She officially left the Pussycat Dolls to focus on her solo career. Her debut solo album, Killer Love, was released in 2011. It was very successful in the United Kingdom, with hit singles like "Poison" and "Don't Hold Your Breath", which went to number one.
In 2011, she became a full-time judge on the American version of The X Factor. The next year, she returned to the UK version as a judge. She was very successful, with her contestant James Arthur winning the show.
2013–2018: More Music, TV, and Acting
Scherzinger released her second solo album, Big Fat Lie, in 2014. That same year, she made her debut in London's West End, starring as Grizabella in the musical Cats. Her performance, especially her singing of the famous song "Memory", received great reviews and an award nomination.
In 2016, she voiced the character Sina, Moana's mother, in the popular Disney animated movie Moana. She also appeared in the TV movie Dirty Dancing in 2017. During this time, she continued to be a judge on The X Factor UK.
2019–Present: Reunions and Broadway Success
In 2019, Scherzinger became a panelist on the hit American TV show The Masked Singer. On the show, celebrities sing in elaborate costumes, and the panelists try to guess who they are.
Later that year, the Pussycat Dolls reunited for a performance and released a new song, "React". A reunion tour was planned but was later canceled.
In 2023, Scherzinger returned to the West End to star as Norma Desmond in the musical Sunset Boulevard. Her performance was a huge success, and she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, a top honor in British theatre. In 2024, the show moved to Broadway in New York City, where she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Artistry and Influences
Scherzinger has a powerful soprano singing voice. Her biggest musical influence is Whitney Houston. She has said she grew up wanting to be just like her. She also admires artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, and Janet Jackson.
Her music combines different styles, including pop, R&B, and dance. On stage, she is known for her energetic and confident performances, inspired by performers like Tina Turner and Mick Jagger.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Scherzinger is usually private about her personal life. She was in a long-term relationship with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. In 2020, she began dating former rugby player Thom Evans, and they got engaged in 2023.
She has spoken about overcoming personal struggles with body image during her time with the Pussycat Dolls, hoping to help others who face similar challenges.
Scherzinger is also involved in charity work. She is an ambassador for the Special Olympics, an organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities. She also supports UNICEF UK, which helps children in need around the world. She has traveled to countries like the Philippines and Kenya to help with their work.
Images for kids
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The Pussycat Dolls performed for U.S. service members in the Persian Gulf Region (2008).
Discography
- Killer Love (2011)
- Big Fat Lie (2014)
Stage and Screen Credits
Film
Stage
- Rent (2010)
- Cats (2014–2015)
- Sunset Boulevard (2023–2025)
See also
In Spanish: Nicole Scherzinger para niños
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
- List of people from the Louisville metropolitan area
