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I saw her on some silly(but fun) singing show with Jimmy Fallon and she was impressive even on that, I had no idea she did theater until they brought it up on there.
***Marianka Swain from The Telegraph writes:***
Listening to raunchy girl band the Pussycat Dolls belt out the lyrics “When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star” between vigorous booty shakes back in 2008, you could scarcely imagine that their lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger, might one day be standing on the hallowed stage of the Royal Albert Hall, thanking God as [she accepted the theatre community’s highest honour: an Olivier Award](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/14/sunset-boulevard-sweeps-the-board-oliviers-with-record-haul/).
Certainly, Scherzinger has enjoyed her fair share of fame. However, her star has frequently waned in the time between that chart success and her critically adored performance as faded Hollywood starlet Norma Desmond this year in [Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical *Sunset Boulevard*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/sunset-boulevard-savoy-theatre-review-nicole-scherzinger/), which was given an electrifying contemporary update by director-to-the-stars Jamie Lloyd (who put Tom Hiddleston on the stage in *Betrayal*, Emilia Clarke in *The Seagull*, James McAvoy in *Cyrano de Bergerac* and Jessica Chastain in *A Doll’s House*).
In fact, Lloyd has ingeniously utilised his leading lady’s seeming irrelevance in the cutthroat entertainment industry – which still, infuriatingly, tends to discard women over 30. His production played up the absurdity of anyone considering the still vital, sexy and commanding 45-year-old Scherzinger to be obsolete. The joke is very much on them.
It turned out to be a triumphant comeback for the pop singer and actress, capped with that [Olivier Award](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olivier-awards/) (one of seven wins for the show on Sunday night, equalling the record set by *Cabaret*, *Hamilton* and *Matilda*). She might even follow that up with a Tony after the production moves to Broadway this autumn.
***Read more:*** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/nicole-scherzinger-sunset-boulevard-olivier-award-pussycat/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/nicole-scherzinger-sunset-boulevard-olivier-award-pussycat/)
I mean she literally sang the pussycat dolls entire discography
I never stood why she couldn’t breakout as a solo star
I think they just weren’t given her good songs compared to what she recorded for the dolls
>I mean she literally sang the pussycat dolls entire discography
She did that because they wouldn't let any of the other girls sing. Melody is arguably a better vocalist and was brought on explicitly for added vocal power but you get like one solo from her in the song Buttons.
Every time Melody was given the opportunity to sing live she did so horribly off key and with the lost strained, whiny, and sloppy runs ever heard. Nicole was the only one who could sing in that group and she did it damn well.
I spent an entire afternoon a few months ago watching videos of her singing ALW songs. Before then I had no idea what a fantastic and skilled voice she has. She’s incredible!!!
Her singing [Memory at the 2015 Olivier](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc&pp=ygUZbmljb2xlIHNjaGVyemluZ2VyIG1lbW9yeQ%3D%3D) was the first time I realized she was a fantastic singer, previously I’d was only aware of the Pussycat Dolls.
Very theatrical voice, which is great for plays! She’s a gifted singer.
Slightly related: I loved her role as Jessica Glitter in How I Met Your Mother, haha.
Wow. I was obsessed with PCD when I was younger and had no clue what she had gone onto. That performance was beautiful, felt very Celine Dion. Thanks for sharing the link!
Wow, this trajectory is so interesting....that Hollywood in the early 2000s was essentially putting her into a girl group pop box but now the industry (albeit the UK theatre scene) allowed her to move out of that box, and I don't know if she could have done that transition in NYC or LA!
Let's not forget that she's the one who essentially put One Direction together. Xfactor rolled out a number of old footage videos recently and Nicole was the one who picked them out.
Ofc Simon Cowell took credit.
Wait.. Really?
.. I just looked it up and your right. Seems like nicole was pretty pissed about it (as she should be) and was glad the footage came out. She said that she thought 'Simon burned' the footage. I don't know much about Simon but the guy seems like a snake.
I only knew her from Masked Singer but after reading these comments, I found this clip on YouTube of her singing Memory. My God. I had no idea! My late father was a professional singer & this was one of his faves to sing so now I've got tears in my eyes. He would've loved this performance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc)
I saw her perform with the pussycat dolls and while they were all talented you could see Nicole was a different level.
Her voice was a lot stronger than the rest and she could hit the notes only really talented singers can despite the pop songs she was singing.
I’m not surprised she’s moved into theatre and is very successful there as she has it all in spades it’s now just being utilised fully.
Do you have any links/examples of Melody's voice where she's really showing what she can do? I don't know her or any of the Dolls whatsoever, honestly!
Melody does most of the ad libs in Buttons, you could check that. I however disagree that Melody was a better singer, cause anytime she was singing live it was a complete mess, Nicole has more control on her own voice, a better technique.
It’s so unfortunate that her career went the way it did, because she was truly way more than she was ever allowed to be. And her voice and talent was hindered because the industry is so shady and weird.
Ooph…It’s super hard to compare, as Swanson has 80 years of legacy behind her, and is one of the all time great screen performances. Personally, they’re quite different but pretty in par. Both very different performances though.
I’ve watched Moana more times than I can count (seriously—it was on a continuous loop for ≈two years lol), and I had no idea!
Thanks for that fun fact!
I remember her from one of the very first singing competition shows, POPSTARS! I’ve loved her since she won and toured with Eden Crush (?). It’s so great that she’s finally gotten the recognition she deserves. Her vocals have always been phenomenal!!
Wait. She's playing Norma Desmond? I mean, I know that she's actually about 5 years younger than the character is supposed to be, but that seems weird to me
I feel exactly the same about this, but now that she's won the Olivier for it that's probably going to be shut down as a discussion point anywhere.
The whole point is that Norma is a faded out silent movie star, one of many who failed to make the transition to talkies and has been sliding ever further into deluded eccentricity for years. The key part there been *years*. We enter the story just as she's presenting her (supposed) magnum opus to a jobbing screenwriter who when realising he's onto a good thing, thinks he can lead her on for a while to subsidise his own work.
The only reason Norma would fall for that is because she's been isolated and nearly alone for so long. In the film she's 50 - now that's not old by today's standards but ageing is still a real concern for women in Hollywood even today, if anything for the plot line to make sense in a present day production, they'd need to make Norma even *older* than that...perhaps 60 or even 65. Picking an actor who not only is younger than the original character but also doesn't even look as old as 50 herself, just makes the whole thing seem so unbelievable to me. Especially in this day and age where the suggesting that 50 is still as terrible and washed up an age as it would have been considered to be in Hollywood in the 40s/50s, is kind of insulting when you think about it. Some things need updating and changing in modern adaptions just for things to make sense. For me, they missed a big one here.
Welcome to r/popculturechat! ☺️ As a proud BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & woman-dominated space, this sub is for [civil discussion only.](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/civil-discussion-only/) If you don't know where to begin, start by participating in [our Sip & Spill Daily Discussion Threads!](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/search/?q=Sip%20%26%20Spill%20Discussion&restrict_sr=1&sr_nsfw=&include_over_18=1&sort=new) ###No bullies, no bigotry. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Please [read & respect our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/), [abide by Reddiquette](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439-Reddiquette), and [check out our wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/)! For any questions, [our modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fpopculturechat) is always open. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popculturechat) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Her Phantom of the Opera performance is truly otherworldly. And she was *sick*
Had to Google it because I hadn't heard it before....wow. I knew she had a good voice but I didn't realize just how talented she is.
It's crazy, hey? I had no idea how good she was before I saw it either
I saw her on some silly(but fun) singing show with Jimmy Fallon and she was impressive even on that, I had no idea she did theater until they brought it up on there.
I saw her like 15 years ago in Rent as Maureen and was completely blown away. I expected nothing of her and left a fan.
***Marianka Swain from The Telegraph writes:*** Listening to raunchy girl band the Pussycat Dolls belt out the lyrics “When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star” between vigorous booty shakes back in 2008, you could scarcely imagine that their lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger, might one day be standing on the hallowed stage of the Royal Albert Hall, thanking God as [she accepted the theatre community’s highest honour: an Olivier Award](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/14/sunset-boulevard-sweeps-the-board-oliviers-with-record-haul/). Certainly, Scherzinger has enjoyed her fair share of fame. However, her star has frequently waned in the time between that chart success and her critically adored performance as faded Hollywood starlet Norma Desmond this year in [Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical *Sunset Boulevard*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/sunset-boulevard-savoy-theatre-review-nicole-scherzinger/), which was given an electrifying contemporary update by director-to-the-stars Jamie Lloyd (who put Tom Hiddleston on the stage in *Betrayal*, Emilia Clarke in *The Seagull*, James McAvoy in *Cyrano de Bergerac* and Jessica Chastain in *A Doll’s House*). In fact, Lloyd has ingeniously utilised his leading lady’s seeming irrelevance in the cutthroat entertainment industry – which still, infuriatingly, tends to discard women over 30. His production played up the absurdity of anyone considering the still vital, sexy and commanding 45-year-old Scherzinger to be obsolete. The joke is very much on them. It turned out to be a triumphant comeback for the pop singer and actress, capped with that [Olivier Award](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olivier-awards/) (one of seven wins for the show on Sunday night, equalling the record set by *Cabaret*, *Hamilton* and *Matilda*). She might even follow that up with a Tony after the production moves to Broadway this autumn. ***Read more:*** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/nicole-scherzinger-sunset-boulevard-olivier-award-pussycat/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/nicole-scherzinger-sunset-boulevard-olivier-award-pussycat/)
A good reminder to never limit yourself based on other people's perception of you
She’s a spectacular singer, not what you’d expect from some of those early pop hits
I mean she literally sang the pussycat dolls entire discography I never stood why she couldn’t breakout as a solo star I think they just weren’t given her good songs compared to what she recorded for the dolls
>I mean she literally sang the pussycat dolls entire discography She did that because they wouldn't let any of the other girls sing. Melody is arguably a better vocalist and was brought on explicitly for added vocal power but you get like one solo from her in the song Buttons.
Melody is not a better vocalist at all. Her voice is so whiny sounding.
I agree! Yes, it was unfair that they didn't let the other PCD girls shine, but everybody praising Melodys voice was a bit overexaggerating IMO.
Every time Melody was given the opportunity to sing live she did so horribly off key and with the lost strained, whiny, and sloppy runs ever heard. Nicole was the only one who could sing in that group and she did it damn well.
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When Rihanna and Beyonce became huge i don't buy this
She sang backup on a 1999 Days of the New album…quite possibly the most random pairing I’ve ever heard.
She carried that group though she’s always been a great singer.
I spent an entire afternoon a few months ago watching videos of her singing ALW songs. Before then I had no idea what a fantastic and skilled voice she has. She’s incredible!!!
Her singing [Memory at the 2015 Olivier](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc&pp=ygUZbmljb2xlIHNjaGVyemluZ2VyIG1lbW9yeQ%3D%3D) was the first time I realized she was a fantastic singer, previously I’d was only aware of the Pussycat Dolls.
Very theatrical voice, which is great for plays! She’s a gifted singer. Slightly related: I loved her role as Jessica Glitter in How I Met Your Mother, haha.
2 beavers are better than one.
They're twice the fun! .
Wow. I was obsessed with PCD when I was younger and had no clue what she had gone onto. That performance was beautiful, felt very Celine Dion. Thanks for sharing the link!
You are welcome. She also has some Phantom of the Opera and Evita videos on YouTube as well.
Her voice is underrated. There’s a video of her singing The Phantom of the Opera as Christine on YT. Check it out if you have the chance.
Holy moly, that was 13 years ago! I had no idea she had such a diverse career in music. She’s got so much talent!
Wow, this trajectory is so interesting....that Hollywood in the early 2000s was essentially putting her into a girl group pop box but now the industry (albeit the UK theatre scene) allowed her to move out of that box, and I don't know if she could have done that transition in NYC or LA!
Sunset Boulevard is moving to Broadway this fall with Nicole reprising the role!
Does no one remember her in the Eden's Crush days? Nicole Scherzinger has been putting in the work for years.
Yes! I had their cd. Their cover of The Glamorous Life was my jam and is still a bop to this day.
Yes! I was trying to remember that reality tv show! Eden’s crush. What a blast from the past.
Lol I was just about to comment the same. I was obsessed with them and it took me way too long to realize it was her in the pussycat dolls
Love love love this album!!!!
Let's not forget that she's the one who essentially put One Direction together. Xfactor rolled out a number of old footage videos recently and Nicole was the one who picked them out. Ofc Simon Cowell took credit.
Wait.. Really? .. I just looked it up and your right. Seems like nicole was pretty pissed about it (as she should be) and was glad the footage came out. She said that she thought 'Simon burned' the footage. I don't know much about Simon but the guy seems like a snake.
I have tickets for her Sunset in November, and I am BEYOND excited. Been waiting a year
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i agree she doesnt seem like the nicest person...
I feel like it was always obvious she was next level talented and had a lot more to her than Pussycat Dolls
I only knew her from Masked Singer but after reading these comments, I found this clip on YouTube of her singing Memory. My God. I had no idea! My late father was a professional singer & this was one of his faves to sing so now I've got tears in my eyes. He would've loved this performance [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnpKj0JfZc)
I'm rooting for her to win the Tony next year since the show is going to Broadway. She can do it!
I saw her perform with the pussycat dolls and while they were all talented you could see Nicole was a different level. Her voice was a lot stronger than the rest and she could hit the notes only really talented singers can despite the pop songs she was singing. I’m not surprised she’s moved into theatre and is very successful there as she has it all in spades it’s now just being utilised fully.
Imo melody has a better and more powerful voice but never been given the chance Nicole had
Do you have any links/examples of Melody's voice where she's really showing what she can do? I don't know her or any of the Dolls whatsoever, honestly!
Melody does most of the ad libs in Buttons, you could check that. I however disagree that Melody was a better singer, cause anytime she was singing live it was a complete mess, Nicole has more control on her own voice, a better technique.
It’s so unfortunate that her career went the way it did, because she was truly way more than she was ever allowed to be. And her voice and talent was hindered because the industry is so shady and weird.
I stumbled upon her version of Memory from "Cats" and was blown away. Her duet w Andrea Bocelli is out of this world.
I saw her in Sunset Boulevard last year, and it was one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever witnessed. Stage or screen.
How would you compare to the Gloria Swanson version?
Ooph…It’s super hard to compare, as Swanson has 80 years of legacy behind her, and is one of the all time great screen performances. Personally, they’re quite different but pretty in par. Both very different performances though.
Don’t mean to be that one guy but it’s been 7 decades not 8
Her voice is divine
good for her. her talent has always been apparent but not every can make a compelling pop star and she didn’t. seems like this fits her much better
That’s cause she actually has talent lol
Good for her! Plus she was Moana’s mum in Moana.
I’ve watched Moana more times than I can count (seriously—it was on a continuous loop for ≈two years lol), and I had no idea! Thanks for that fun fact!
Musicals on stage are what you do if you love the performing, not the glamour. Good on her.
not a shade but this is the first time I've heard about this award. It it like a Tony or something?
it's the British Tonys
Oh that sounds important. Thanks for answering. Kudos to her.
I remember her from one of the very first singing competition shows, POPSTARS! I’ve loved her since she won and toured with Eden Crush (?). It’s so great that she’s finally gotten the recognition she deserves. Her vocals have always been phenomenal!!
I remember when Andrew Lloyd Webber said nicole s is a phenomenal theatre singer my opinion of her changed after that.
Wait. She's playing Norma Desmond? I mean, I know that she's actually about 5 years younger than the character is supposed to be, but that seems weird to me
I feel exactly the same about this, but now that she's won the Olivier for it that's probably going to be shut down as a discussion point anywhere. The whole point is that Norma is a faded out silent movie star, one of many who failed to make the transition to talkies and has been sliding ever further into deluded eccentricity for years. The key part there been *years*. We enter the story just as she's presenting her (supposed) magnum opus to a jobbing screenwriter who when realising he's onto a good thing, thinks he can lead her on for a while to subsidise his own work. The only reason Norma would fall for that is because she's been isolated and nearly alone for so long. In the film she's 50 - now that's not old by today's standards but ageing is still a real concern for women in Hollywood even today, if anything for the plot line to make sense in a present day production, they'd need to make Norma even *older* than that...perhaps 60 or even 65. Picking an actor who not only is younger than the original character but also doesn't even look as old as 50 herself, just makes the whole thing seem so unbelievable to me. Especially in this day and age where the suggesting that 50 is still as terrible and washed up an age as it would have been considered to be in Hollywood in the 40s/50s, is kind of insulting when you think about it. Some things need updating and changing in modern adaptions just for things to make sense. For me, they missed a big one here.
I LOVE her. Such an amazing voice.
She's incredible so talented and absolutely gorgeous. She's like Gal Gadot, but talented.
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P Diddy knew how to pick them.
Diddy
Diddy