Nicole Scherzinger
Born 1978 · Age 47
American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and television personality; lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls (2003–2010), solo artist, TV judge/host, and West End/Broadway musical star.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente born to Alfonso Valiente and Rosemary in Honolulu.
Father Alfonso leaves family
Her biological father Alfonso Valiente left the family when Nicole was two years old.
Family moves to Louisville, Kentucky
Nicole and her family relocated from Honolulu to Louisville; her stepfather Gary Scherzinger later adopted her and she took his surname.
Begins acting; joins Actors Theatre of Louisville
At age 14 Nicole joined the Actors Theatre of Louisville and was cast in her first professional play, La Bête.
Wins scholarship to Wright State University
Earned a scholarship to study musical theatre (theatre arts major, dance minor) at Wright State University.
Graduates Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS)
Graduated from YPAS at duPont Manual High School, having participated in numerous plays and musicals.
Contributed vocals and toured with Days of the New (final year of college)
Hired by Days of the New frontman Travis Meeks to contribute to the band's second album and toured with them; she dropped out of college to pursue the tour.
Auditioned for WB's Popstars USA
Auditioned for the reality TV competition Popstars USA which aimed to form a girl group; was selected as a member.
Eden's Crush debut album 'Popstars' released
Eden's Crush's debut studio album 'Popstars' debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200.
Eden's Crush disbands after label bankruptcy
Label London-Sire Records went bankrupt by the end of 2001; Eden's Crush subsequently disbanded.
Eden's Crush debut single 'Get Over Yourself' released
As a member of Eden's Crush, the debut single was released in March 2001 and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100; first female act to debut at #1 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.
TV guest appearances and minor acting roles
Took minor acting roles, including guest-starring on My Wife and Kids (2002) and a cameo in Chasing Papi (2003).
Auditioned and joined the Pussycat Dolls (recording group)
Auditioned in December 2003 and became lead singer of the recording group the Pussycat Dolls (joining Melody Thornton, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt).
Single 'Don't Cha' becomes international hit
'Don't Cha' peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the group's breakthrough single.
Pussycat Dolls release debut album 'PCD'
As lead singer, Scherzinger assumed majority of vocals on the debut album 'PCD' released September 2005; album produced international breakthrough single 'Don't Cha'.
Wins ASCAP Pop Music Award for 'Buttons' (Most Performed Song)
As a songwriter/performer credited on 'Buttons', she received ASCAP recognition in 2006.
Collaboration with Diddy 'Come to Me' becomes a solo top-ten hit
Featured on Diddy's 'Come to Me', which became Nicole's first solo top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Signing: global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group
Signed a global publishing agreement covering her future songwriting.
First solo feature: Avant's 'Lie About Us' released
Nicole's first solo recording appearance was as a feature on Avant's 'Lie About Us' (July 2006).
Inducted into DuPont Manual Alumni Hall of Fame
In 2007 she was inducted into her high school's alumni Hall of Fame as one of the youngest inductees.
Announces debut solo album 'Her Name is Nicole'
Announced debut studio album scheduled for late summer 2007; multiple singles released but album ultimately shelved due to poor single performance.
Pussycat Dolls perform for US troops in Persian Gulf
Performed a live concert for more than 2,000 U.S. and coalition service members at a U.S. Army camp in the Persian Gulf Region.
Pussycat Dolls release 'Doll Domination'
Second and final album 'Doll Domination' was released in the U.S.; peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and contained hits 'When I Grow Up' and 'I Hate This Part'.
Records 'Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)' pop version
Re-wrote and recorded the pop version of A.R. Rahman's 'Jai Ho' credited to A.R. Rahman and the Pussycat Dolls; it reached #1 in 17 countries and peaked at #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Doll Domination Tour begins
The Pussycat Dolls embarked on their worldwide Doll Domination Tour starting January 18, 2009.
Presents 'America the Beautiful' at WrestleMania XXV
Performed at WrestleMania XXV at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Pussycat Dolls announce hiatus; members pursue solo careers
Following the completion of the tour and internal disputes, the group announced a hiatus in August 2009.
Joins 'The Sing-Off' as judge (Season 1)
Announced as a judge on NBC's a cappella competition The Sing-Off, joining Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman.
Becomes Global Ambassador for Special Olympics (date unspecified)
Became a global ambassador for the Special Olympics inspired by her aunt who has Down syndrome and recorded 'O Holy Night' for charity compilation (2013).
Participates in Haiti charity efforts: 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' and Hope for Haiti Now
Featured on 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' and performed on the Hope for Haiti Now telethon following the 2010 earthquake.
Wins Dancing with the Stars (Season 10)
Competed with partner Derek Hough and won the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars.
Guest judge on The X Factor UK; helped form One Direction
Served as a guest judge and contributed to the decision to keep auditioned boys together — resulting in One Direction's formation.
Releases solo single 'Poison' and leaves Pussycat Dolls
Released 'Poison' (peaked #3 UK) and announced departure from the Pussycat Dolls to focus on a solo career.
Reported highest-profile judge salaries (IMDb entries)
IMDb lists her X Factor UK season salaries as £1,500,000 (season 10) and £750,000 (season 9) — indicating major TV compensation (currency reported in IMDb).
Solo single 'Don't Hold Your Breath' hits #1 UK
The single became Scherzinger's first solo #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Joins The X Factor USA as judge/host (season 1)
Hired initially to co-host with Steve Jones; then replaced Cheryl Cole on The X Factor UK and later served on The X Factor USA first season; faced significant backlash during UK judging stints.
Killer Love re-released with additional tracks
Killer Love was re-released with four additional songs including 'Try with Me'.
Releases debut solo album 'Killer Love' (UK)
'Killer Love' released in the UK; debuted and peaked at #8 on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 140,000 copies by November 2011.
Performs 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Variety Performance
Sang the title song as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of The Phantom of the Opera.
Mentors Boys category; James Arthur wins series
As a judge she mentored the Boys and had James Arthur become the series winner (major success as a judge).
Embarks on first headline UK tour
Started her first headlining tour in the United Kingdom.
Confirmed as judge on The X Factor UK (series 9) with reported $1.17M salary
Replaced Kelly Rowland as a judge on The X Factor UK; reported salary approximately $1.17 million USD.
Wins The Asian Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Music
Received the Outstanding Achievement in Music award at The Asian Awards (2013).
Endows annual $2,000 scholarship to YPAS
Since 2013 Nicole endowed a yearly $2,000 namesake scholarship to the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Receives Harvard Foundation Cultural Rhythms Artist of the Year
Awarded the Harvard Foundation's Cultural Rhythms Artist of the Year in 2013.
Releases single 'Boomerang' (peaked #6 UK)
'Boomerang' debuted and peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart in March 2013; associated album was later scrapped.
Becomes UNICEF UK supporter; charity trips
Since 2014 she has supported UNICEF UK and travelled to Guyana, Manila and Kenya to visit charity centres.
Signs record deal with Sony/RCA (reported $4.5M)
Announced signing with Sony Music Entertainment and RCA Records; reported deal value approximately $4.5 million USD.
Releases second solo album 'Big Fat Lie'
'Big Fat Lie' released October 2014; album underperformed commercially in the UK and led to departure from label the following year.
West End debut as Grizabella in 'Cats' at London Palladium
Starred as Grizabella in the 2014 West End revival of Cats for a 12-week run until February 8, 2015; performance earned an Olivier Award nomination.
Wins celebrity variety show 'I Can Do That'
Crowned winner of the variety skills competition where celebrities learn and perform new skills.
Performs national anthem at A Capitol Fourth and Special Olympics opening
Performed 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at A Capitol Fourth in Washington, D.C., and at the opening of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Co-hosts 'Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris' (NBC)
Co-hosted the live variety show which premiered September 15, 2015; series was cancelled after one season.
Voiced Sina in Disney's 'Moana'
Provided the voice of Sina in the Walt Disney animated feature film 'Moana' released November 2016.
Publishes public 'love letter' to LGBTQ community
In 2017, via Billboard she published a message praising the LGBTQ community and supporting their rights.
Stars as Penny in ABC's 'Dirty Dancing' remake
Played Penny in the TV film remake which premiered on May 24, 2017; while film received mixed reviews, her performance was praised.
Launches debut fragrance 'Chosen by Nicole Scherzinger'
Released her first fragrance in September 2017.
Voice cameo in 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'
Provided a voice cameo in the animated film 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' (2018).
Becomes panelist on 'The Masked Singer' (US)
Joined the panel on the US series 'The Masked Singer' in 2019; the show debuted as the highest-rated unscripted series lead-in since 2011.
Judge on Australia's Got Talent (Season 9)
Announced in May 2019 as a judge replacing Sophie Monk on season 9 of Australia's Got Talent.
Pussycat Dolls reunion performance on X Factor: Celebrity finale
Reunited (Sutta, Bachar, Roberts, Scherzinger, Wyatt) for a medley and new song 'React' on the finale; performance drew Ofcom complaints about perceived provocative nature.
Pussycat Dolls release comeback single 'React'
The group released 'React' in February 2020 to moderate chart success as part of a brief reunion push.
Maskeds Singer Season 3 premiere becomes Super Bowl lead-out (record viewership)
Third season premiered as the Super Bowl LIV lead-out program and drew over 27.3 million viewers—the series' most-watched episode.
Voices Miranda Trese on Netflix anime 'Trese'
Voiced Miranda Trese in season 1 of Netflix's animated anime series 'Trese' which premiered June 10, 2021.
Plays Grace Farrell in NBC's 'Annie Live!'
Appeared as Grace Farrell in the live television musical special 'Annie Live!' which aired on December 2, 2021.
Pussycat Dolls reunion tour canceled and legal dispute
Reunion tour was officially canceled in January 2022 after legal action by founder Robin Antin and logistical/business issues exacerbated by COVID-19.
Three-night intimate showcase at The Sun Rose; announces EP 'Warrior'
Held a three-night show in Hollywood where she showcased musical theatre numbers and announced an upcoming EP 'Warrior', debuting the song 'Never Going Back'. She confirmed she was unsigned at that time.
Announced interior design range 'Nalu' licensed through Bedeck
Reported to debut a bedding/interior design range called 'Nalu', licensed through manufacturer Bedeck and involving design agency Anthology.
Releases single 'The Drop' with David Guetta & Dimitri Vegas
Released 'The Drop' (collaboration with David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas, featuring Azteck) on June 24, 2022.
Reported net worth estimate (~$14M)
Media profile (Smooth Radio, May 2023) estimated Nicole Scherzinger's net worth at approximately $14 million USD.
Returns to West End starring as Norma Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard'
Starred as Norma Desmond in the 2023 West End revival at the Savoy Theatre to critical acclaim; role hailed as career-defining.
Wins Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance
Awarded the 2023 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance for 'Sunset Boulevard'.
Performs at Coronation Concert for King Charles III & Queen Camilla
Performed 'Reflection' (from Mulan) accompanied by pianist Lang Lang at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023.
Engaged to Thom Evans
Nicole confirmed her engagement to former Scottish rugby player Thom Evans in June 2023.
Transfers 'Sunset Boulevard' to Broadway; makes Broadway debut (St. James Theatre)
The production transferred to Broadway in 2024 and Nicole made her Broadway debut reprising Norma Desmond.
Wins Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard)
Received the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her West End performance as Norma Desmond.
Settles legal dispute with Robin Antin; open to future Pussycat Dolls reunion
Settled the dispute over the canceled 2021 reunion tour with founder Robin Antin and stated she was open to another reunion.
Performs at the 77th Tony Awards In Memoriam segment
Performed 'What I Did for Love' to accompany the In Memoriam segment at the 77th Tony Awards.
Wins Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard)
Received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2025 following the Broadway transfer of 'Sunset Boulevard'.
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