Her Name Is Nicole: A Look Inside The Solo Success Of Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
This past Sunday VH1 aired one of the most controversial episodes of the current season of their acclaimed documentary series, Behind The Music. The latest episode profiled the lead singer of multi-platinum girl group, The Pussycat Dolls turned solo artist, Nicole Scherzinger. In the episode Nicole not only revealed her struggle with body image and Bulimia, but she and record executive, Ron Fair confirmed what many have thought for years. Despite being a girl group of six, Nicole was the only singer on the Dolls’ albums outside of occasional vocal runs of background vocals. That detail is elaborated on in the latest edition of Behind The Music’s web exclusive series, Behind The Song. This episode is centered on the story behind the creation of The Pussycat Doll’s version of the Slum Dog Millionaire hit, “Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)” with A. R. Rahma. Behind The Song explains how the English language version of the song was the brain child of Interscope Records chairman, Jimmy Iovine who paired Nicole with Ron Fair to produce the song.
Ron and Nicole worked closely on the creative ideas behind the song’s concept while she was touring with the Dolls. This would explain why when the song was released the titles read “A. R. Rahman And The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Nicole Scherzinger” Even though Nicole was undeniably the primary force behind all of the Dolls’ music, singling her out in the credits publicly did not sit well with the rest of the group. This is probably because it was pointing out a sore subject to many already were aware of. Nicole was the singer, and the rest of the group danced and fulfilled the image of the group that originally started as a burlesque show of dancing girls started by Robin Antin that was then taken from the Los Angeles clubs to the record stores thanks to Interscope’s multi-platform marketing. However by crediting Nicole alongside the Dolls instead of just part of the group, it clearly shows favoritism in her favor over the other 5 girls. Just as Ron Fair clearly states in Behind The Song, Nicole was given the extra credit because she was the one earning it and the girls knew that, however it was understandably something the rest of the group took very personally. This is why Nicole’s work on “Jai Ho” marked the beginning of the end of The Pussycat Dolls.
VH1’s “Behind The Song: A. R. Rahman And The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Nicole Scherzinger
“Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)”
VH1.com
A. R. Rahman And The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Nicole Scherzinger
“Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)”
From Slumdog Millionaire/Doll Domination 2.0
Fox Searchlight/Warner Bros. Pictures/A&M/Interscope Records
As the recent episode of Behind The Music clearly indicates Nicole’s greater goal was to always become a solo artist. For anyone who actually followed the group it was really no secret from the beginning. The Dolls’ debut album, PCD sold over 9 million copies in the digital music industry. This was largely thanks to the success of the album’s 6 singles, 2 of which topped the Pop charts in the US. (“Sticwitchu” and “Buttons”) Nicole was not only the singer, but the all around creative voice representing all of the Dolls. She was a co-writer on two of those singles (“Buttons” and “I Don’t Need A Man”) Her initiative with the group’s sound and direction would also prove to be the reason why she was later credited as an executive producer of the Dolls’ second album, Doll Domination along side Jimmy Iovine, Ron Fair and Robin Antin.
Related Media
The Pussycat Dolls
“Sticwitu” (#1 On The Pop Charts 2005)
From PCD
A&M/Interscope Records
The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Snoop Dogg
“Buttons” (Co Written By Nicole Scherzinger #1 On The Pop Charts 2006)
From PCD
A&M/Interscope Records
The Pussycat Dolls
“I Don’t Need A Man” (Co Written By Nicole Scherzinger)
From PCD
A&M/Interscope Records
The Pussycat Dolls
“When I Grow Up”
From Doll Domination
A&M/Interscope Records
The Pussycat Dolls
“I Hate This Part”
From Doll Domination
A&M/Interscope Records
The Pussycat Dolls
“Hush Hush, Hush Hush”
From Doll Domination
A&M/Interscope Records
As someone who was creatively involved in The Pussycat Dolls’ music, Nicole soon also branched out to be featured on key songs by other artists listing her name only without the rest of the girls. Some of those songs include “Come To Me” by Diddy, “Lie About Us” by Avant, “Scream” by Timbaland, “Fire” by 50 Cent and many others. Nicole’s fans also remember that Interscope attempted to release her first solo album in 2007. That album that was meant to be called Her Name Is Nicole featured the singles “Baby Love” featuring Will I Am and “Whatever You Like” featuring T.I.. However after poor reception from fans Her Name Is Nicole was ultimately shelved by Interscope to allow her to focus back on The Pussycat Dolls was at the time still considered one of the most popular girl groups worldwide. For those that are interested in what that music sounded like, most of it was leaked online and is available for free download from various sources.
Key Songs Nicole Scherzinger Is Featured On
Diddy Featuring Nicole Scherzinger
“Come To Me”
From Press Play
Bad Boy/Atlantic Records
Avant Featuring Nicole Scherzinger
“Lie About Us”
From Director
Geffen/Interscope Records
Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson And Nicole Scherzinger
“Scream”
From Timbaland Presents: Shock Value Vol #1
Mosley Music Group/Blackground/Interscope Records
50 Cent Featuring Nicole Scherzinger And Young Buck
“Fire” (Explicit)
From Curtis
Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Singles From Nicole Scherzinger’s Shelved Album Her Name Is Nicole
Nicole Scherzinger Featuring T.I.
“Whatever U Like”
From Her Name Is Nicole (Shelved)
Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger Featuring Will I Am
“Baby Love”
From Her Name Is Nicole (Shelved)
Interscope Records
Nicole did eventually get to release her solo debut album with Interscope in 2011. However despite singles from the album being released promotionally in the United States, Interscope only released that album, Killer Love was only internationally. Killer Love’s singles “Don’t Hold Your Breath” “Poison” and “Right There” topped various charts around Europe and helped Nicole get massive exposure while she was on Simon Cowell’s X Factor . Keep an eye out for Nicole’s worldwide debut solo album coming in 2013 from Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger
“Don’t Hold Your Breath”
From Killer Love
Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger
“Poison”
From Killer Love
Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger
“Poison”
Live On X Factor (UK)
Nicole Scherzinger Featuring 50 Cent
“Right There”
From Killer Love
Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger
“Wet”
From Killer Love
Interscope Records
Nicole Scherzinger
“Try With Me”
From Killer Love
Interscope Records
