Nicole Scherzinger (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger (born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente; June 29, 1978), professionally known as Nicole Scherzinger ( ), is an American recording artist and television personality. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Scherzinger studied at Youth Performing Arts School, where she was first exposed to performing. Scherzinger rose to fame when she won a reality television singing competition with girl group Eden's Crush in Spring 2001, but departed the same year and became the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls"one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

During the hiatus of The Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger planned to release an album, Her Name is Nicole, in 2007, which spawned an international top twenty single " "Baby Love" and the ill-fainted " "Whatever U Like" which only charted in Canada. Following the disbandment of The Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger released her debut solo album, Killer Love, which spawned a number of hit singles " "Poison", "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Right There" " and became one of the most successful albums of that year. Two of the latter became two of the best selling singles of 2011 in the United Kingdom. Scherzinger has also featured on hit singles including " "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and "Heartbeat".

Scherzinger's work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including two MTV Music Video Awards, three Billboard Music Awards and a Cosmopolitan Award. As of 2012, Scherzinger has sold 50 million records worldwide. In 2009, Billboard ranked her as one of the most successful musical acts of the 2000s. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked Scherzinger the ninth best dancing musician. Apart from Scherzinger's work in music, she has also ventured into acting, modelling, musical theatre and reality television. Scherzinger first gained a judging role on singing competition, The Sing-Off in 2009, where she judged the show for two seasons before leaving and becoming a judge on both the The X Factor US and The X Factor UK in 2011 and 2012. Scherzinger later took part in The Phantom of the Opera and received universal critical acclaim. Scherzinger has also endorsed such brands as Estée Lauder, Nike, Herbal Essences and Beats By Dr Dre.

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-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 Acting and 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. Meeks also 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, alongside Ivette Sosa, Maile Misajon, Ana Maria Lombo and Rosanna Tavarez, 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 she was forced to decline due to her contract as a member of Eden's Crush and recently on Behind the Music will.i.am also revealed that 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

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 over three million copies in the US. Worldwide, PCD has sold nine million copies. The album received a certification in thirty-six countries. Their first single, "Don't Cha" was a global commercial success, reaching number one in multiple countries. Worldwide, the song has sold more than 6 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. With the success of the debut album, it brought Scherzinger into the media spotlight, which resulted in a series of duets and guest vocals with many male vocalists, including: Shaggy, Vittorio Grigolo and Will Smith. In 2006, she sang co-lead vocals with Avant on his single "Lie About Us". Shcherzinger later appeared on Diddy's lead single "Come to Me" marking her first solo top-ten hit on Billboard Hot 100.

In 2008, the band returned with a comeback single, "When I Grow Up". The song became another hit single, charting in the top 10 in numerous countries. "Whatcha Think About That" was released with Missy Elliott as a single before the album and had moderate success internationally. Doll Domination was released on September 19, 2008. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 79,000 copies sold in its first week of release. Worldwide, Doll Domination sold over 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. 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, the Pussycat Dolls have sold 50 million records.

2006-09: Solo releases and The Sing Off

In 2006, Scherzinger began working on her debut album while still a member of the Pussycat Dolls, while the group were on a hiatus. Scherzinger later confirmed that the Pussycat Dolls' second album, Doll Domination, featured some of the songs which had initially been recorded for Scherzinger's own album. "Happily Never After" and "Who's Gonna Love You" were placed on the album. She also announced that "I Hate This Part" was also intended for her own solo album. Christopher "Tricky Stewart" and The-Dream were also working with Scherzinger and produced, wrote and recorded at least two songs for the album. Both of the known recordings, "Punch You In Your Sleep" and "I'm a Cheat" were re-allocated to The-Dream's ex-wife Christina Milian who has recorded them for her fourth studio album Elope due in 2010. Keri Hilson wrote a song for Scherzinger's album entitled "Alienated", but Hilson later reclaimed the song from Scherzinger for her debut album, In a Perfect World.... 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. A commercial video was released, and the single was released via download only, after May 2008. 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. Scherzinger revealed that her incarnation of the album was "just in talks" and writing process, but she had not began recording for the album again. She confirmed that she would be in the studio regarding her solo debut album once the Pussycat Dolls had finished their World Domination Tour. Scherzinger began working with Will.i.am, Timbaland, Lady Gaga and A.R. Rahman.

Scherzinger announced that her debut album would be entitled Her Name Is Nicole, which she recorded about 100 songs for the album, which was supposed to be released in 2007 before being pushed to October 16, 2008 and later into 2009 before being shelved. 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." In an attempt to release a solo album, "Whatever U Like" featuring guest vocals from T.I. was released as the album's lead single. The song didn't manage to chart on Billboard Hot 100, but charted at number 83 on Pop Songs and number 73 on Hot Digital Songs. The song peaked at number 57 in Canada. "Baby Love" was the second single released. The single achieved reasonable success outside of the United States, particularly in Europe. This is likely due to Scherzinger's performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 on November 1, 2007, in which she sang the song with will.i.am, the producer and featured artist of the song. Although the song was not successful on the Billboard Hot 100, it reached number four on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and topped at number 8 at Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. As a result of both singles charting poorly in the US, Scherzinger decided not to release any further singles from the album. Two promotional singles were released from the album""Supervillain" and "Puakenikeni" respectively and also both failed to chart.

Although the song was originally written for Gwen Stefani, lead band member of Snow Patrol and critically acclaimed song-writer, Gary Lightbody asked Scherzinger to record the song, "Just Say Yes". Scherzinger loved the song and said: "It's a very honest and truthful song." Ne-Yo also gave Scherzinger two songs, "Happily Never After" a slow ballad of which Scherzinger said she felt it "important for young girls to have an empowering message that they deserve better". Interestingly the song was originally written for Britney Spears to record for her album Blackout in 2007. "Power's Out" a riveting duet with English singer Sting (featured in Revlon adverts with Jessica Alba) and "I M.I.S.S You" written by Pharrell Williams and produced by The Neptunes. When commenting on another song "March" Scherzinger said she wanted a powerful record. "It's about never giving up on your dreams and it"s about what I went through to get where I am today." Timbaland produced and featured on the song "Physical" on which his trademark vocals can be heard over the upbeat melody and thumping baseline. Part of the song was used in the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. and "I M.I.S.S You" written by Pharrell Williams and produced by The Neptunes. 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

Scherzinger returned to the studio in 2010 in a second attempt to record her debut album, which she said she was starting from scratch. 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 Dancing with the Stars season 10. Scherzinger confirmed that she has done one song with Slash for his solo album Slash released in April 2010. 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. The song debuted during NBC's coverage of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It was released as a single on iTunes on February 12, 2010 accompanied by the music video. 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 was collecting hamburgers, like fast food. One from McDonald's, one from Burger King, and so on. It tasted good, but it wasn't consistent. Her new record - people are really going to go crazy about it because it's the real her." Scherzinger revealed that it was her choice not to release Her Name Is Nicole. Scherzinger said that herself and RedOne had created something "unique".

In 2010, Scherzinger guest judged on seventh series of UK version of The X Factor auditions. Scherzinger has been credited in the formation of One Direction, which includes: Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Harry Styles. She also left her mark on the competition after she persuaded producers to change the ages of the judging categories. An X Factor spokesman told the media that "At Nicole's suggestion, and agreed by Simon and Louis, the boys' and girls' category age limit has been increased to 28. The judges believe this will strengthen the competition and talent." She later returned the same year with lead single from her debut album, "Poison", which premiered on October 14, 2010 and released on November 29, 2010. A picture from the video shoot was revealed by MTV, showing Scherzinger dressed provocatively. "Poison" charted at number-three on the UK Singles Chart. In November 2010 she joined Prince on-stage during his concert in Abu Dhabi. While working with RedOne she has also recorded vocals for songs which will be included on Mohombi's debut album. Mohombi is the first signee to RedOne's record label. In March 2011, Scherzinger returned with second single, "Don't Hold Your Breath" in March 2011. The following week, "Don't Hold Your Breath" peaked at number-one on the UK Singles Chart and the song also became a worldwide hit single. Killer Love was released a week later and became a top-ten hit album on the UK Albums Chart and became one of the most successful selling albums of 2011, with shipments over 750,000. It became the 73rd biggest selling album of the year in the same country. The album was also listed as one of the "Top Selling Albums" on the UK iTunes and the twentieth best selling album by a female artist in 2011.

The US version of Killer Love was planned to feature an alternate track listing. Scherzinger confirmed, during an interview with MTV, that the US album would contain contributions from RedOne, Ne-Yo, Jim Jonsin, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. In addition to this, 50 Cent was featured on the album's US lead single, a new version of the Jonsin-produced, "Right There". American hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg appears on one of the new songs recorded for the US album. Scherzinger has recorded more than 40 songs to be considered for her US solo debut album, but insists that it "will not be finished until the very last minute. I don't know if I will ever feel like I have finished the album." To date, a US version of the album has yet to appear. In May 2011, Scherzinger was announced as one of two co-hosts of the first season of Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor alongside Steve Jones, but one month later, a Fox press release announced Scherzinger would replace Cheryl Cole as a judge instead. As a result, Scherzinger joined the judging panel alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul, and L.A. Reid. The first season of the show premiered on Fox on September 21, 2011. She later mentored the "Over 30s" category and was runner-up with Josh Krajcik. During the Judges' Houses stage of the competition, Scherzinger was aided by friend and fellow artist Enrique Iglesias to help decide which of her acts should go through to the Live Shows stage. 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.

After receiving worldwide attention, "Right There" was announced as the third single from the album. For its release in the US, it was remixed to feature two new verses from American rapper 50 Cent, it serves as her first American lead single from her debut album, "Killer Love". "Right There" was released as a digital download in the US on May 17, 2011 and sent to US mainstream radio on May 24, 2011. The song became an international worldwide hit, charting in top-ten in numerous countries and the single has since sold over 500,000 copies in America. It was later announced it 2011 that Scherzinger would portray Lily Poison in the film, Men in Black 3, which is was released in May 2012. A further two more singles were released from Killer Love""Wet" and "Try with Me". Both singles achiever limited success, but charted well in individual countries. While 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. They were released without harm but shaken by the experience.

Shortly after her X Factor exit, Scherzinger began her first solo tour in Europe and Asia in February 2012, which she entitled the tour, Killer Love Tour. 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. The show premiered on August 18, 2012. and concluded on December 9. During her first season overseas, Scherzinger mentored the "Boys" category. Scherzinger was aided by friend and fellow artist Ne-Yo during the Judges' Houses stage of the competition in Dubai to help decide which of her acts should go through to the Live Shows stage. The three acts she chose were James Arthur, Rylan Clark and Jahmene Douglas. Arthur and Douglas went on to become winner and runner-up respectively. In October 2012 she faced backlash over a controversial inclusion of Rylan in her final three. Scherzinger has received positive feedback for her role as a judge in the UK, especially from Louis Walsh. 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.

In 2012, Scherzinger recorded a track with will.i.am which will be included on will.i.am's upcoming fourth studio album, #willpower. Scherzinger performed at the Hollywood Bowl on July 7, 2012 along with will.i.am. In October 2012, Behind the Music premiered a documentary about Scherzinger.

2013: Second studio album

Scherzinger's second album will be globally released in early 2013. The lead single for the album is "Boomerang".

Artistry

Musical style and voice

</ref> | width = 30em | align = right}} 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 contemporary R&B, however her music has a feature of soul, pop and dance-pop in her some of her songs. While Scherzinger's exclusively releases English language songs, she has recorded in Hindi when she performed the song, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and also in English. 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, Cheryl Cole and Beyoncé Knowles. Scherzinger is known for her strong mezzo-soprano vocals and conviction to convey emotion in her tracks. Her vocal range spans over three octave ranges.

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