Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger Bio

Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she first reached global fame as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, the best-selling female group of the 2000s. Beyond her pop career, she has built a reputation as a television judge, a West End and Broadway leading lady, and a philanthropist supporting several global causes.

Throughout her career, Scherzinger has released two solo studio albums, judged on talent competitions across multiple continents, and won major theater honors including a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award. Her versatility as a performer, combined with a high-profile personal life and charitable work, has kept her in the public eye for more than two decades.

Early Life and Background

Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente was born on June 29, 1978, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father, Alfonso Valiente, is of Filipino descent, while her mother, Rosemary, is of Native Hawaiian and Russian heritage. Alfonso left the family when Nicole was two years old. Rosemary later married German-American Gary Scherzinger, who adopted Nicole and whose surname she eventually took. She has a younger sister, Keala. When Nicole was six, the family relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, where her mother worked as a clerk and her stepfather as a welder.

Scherzinger has described her upbringing as difficult, noting that the family had limited money. As a young girl, she contributed to the household by working as a waitress, taking local modeling jobs, and performing with an entertainment troupe at the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. Raised Roman Catholic with her grandfather serving as a priest, she attended church twice a week and embraced strong religious values that continue to influence her life.

At the age of 14, Scherzinger joined the Actors Theatre of Louisville, where she was cast in her first professional play, “La Bête.” She graduated in 1996 from the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School, taking on lead roles in school productions including “Alice in Wonderland.” She later attended Wright State University on a scholarship, majoring in theatre arts with a dance minor, and earned regional stage roles in musicals such as “Chicago,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “Show Boat.”

Path to Music

Scherzinger’s professional music career began while she was still in college. In her final year at Wright State University, she was hired by Days of the New band leader Travis Meeks to contribute vocals to the band’s self-titled second studio album. The supporting tour followed, prompting her to leave college before graduating. Although her tenure with the rock band ended on a difficult note, the experience gave her valuable exposure to life on the road and a clearer sense of her musical direction.

After the tour concluded, Scherzinger auditioned for the WB reality competition “Popstars USA” in 2001, inspired by her mother’s encouragement. She sang Whitney Houston’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and was selected as part of the girl group Eden’s Crush. Their debut single, “Get Over Yourself,” debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and their album “Popstars” reached number six on the Billboard 200. Eden’s Crush toured with ‘N Sync and Jessica Simpson before their label went bankrupt, leading to the group’s disbandment by the end of 2001.

Nicole Scherzinger Career

Early Career (2003–2009)

In December 2003, Nicole Scherzinger auditioned for a recording group being assembled by choreographer Robin Antin alongside producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair. Although she initially hoped for a solo contract, she was chosen as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, the burlesque-inspired troupe reinvented as a pop group. Their debut album “PCD,” released in September 2005, sold millions worldwide and included the international hit “Don’t Cha,” which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The single “Stickwitu” earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The Pussycat Dolls released a second studio album, “Doll Domination,” in September 2008. Its lead singles “When I Grow Up” and “I Hate This Part” both reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top fifteen, and the group embarked on the worldwide Doll Domination Tour in early 2009. During the tour, Scherzinger reworked “Jai Ho” from the film “Slumdog Millionaire,” and the resulting track topped charts in seventeen countries. After the tour ended in August 2009, the group announced a hiatus to focus on individual projects.

Breakthrough (2010–2014)

In May 2010, Scherzinger won the tenth season of “Dancing with the Stars” alongside partner Derek Hough, raising her profile as a mainstream American entertainer. She signed on as a guest judge for “The X Factor UK” and later became a full-time judge on “The X Factor USA.” Her debut studio album, “Killer Love,” was released in March 2011 in the United Kingdom and debuted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. The single “Don’t Hold Your Breath” became her first number-one hit as a solo artist in the UK, while “Right There” reached number three. Despite strong international sales, the U.S. release of “Killer Love” was repeatedly delayed and ultimately shelved.

Scherzinger made her West End debut in December 2014, starring as Grizabella in the revival of “Cats” at the London Palladium for a twelve-week run. Her portrayal, particularly her rendition of “Memory,” drew widespread critical praise and earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. She withdrew from the planned Broadway transfer after producers declined to give her top billing.

Notable Works and Milestones

Scherzinger’s most recognizable body of work includes her tenure with the Pussycat Dolls, whose albums “PCD” and “Doll Domination” sold over 55 million records worldwide. Her solo singles “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” “Right There,” and “Poison” remain her highest-charting releases, and her later work on the West End and Broadway brought her some of the most significant accolades of her career.

Nicole Scherzinger Award Nominations

Throughout her career, Nicole Scherzinger has earned nominations from some of the most prestigious award bodies in the entertainment industry. As the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, she helped the group earn a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Her solo work has brought recognition in dance and pop categories, while her later stage work produced nominations at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, the Laurence Olivier Awards, and the Tony Awards. These nominations reflect her range as both a recording artist and a theatrical performer.

Nicole Scherzinger Awards Won

Nicole Scherzinger’s most celebrated wins have come from her work in musical theatre. She received the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance in 2023 for her West End portrayal of Norma Desmond in the revival of “Sunset Boulevard” at the Savoy Theatre. She followed that with the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2024, and capped her run with the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2025 when the production transferred to Broadway. She also won season ten of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2010 alongside partner Derek Hough.

Nicole Scherzinger Family

Scherzinger was born to Alfonso Valiente and Rosemary, who divorced when she was two years old. She was later adopted by her stepfather, Gary Scherzinger, whose surname she took. Her mother is of Native Hawaiian and Russian descent, and her biological father is of Filipino heritage. She has one younger sister, Keala, with whom she has remained close.

Personal Life

Scherzinger was engaged to 311 lead singer Nick Hexum from 2000 to 2004. She later had a high-profile on-and-off relationship with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton from 2007 to 2015, followed by a relationship with Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov from 2016 to 2019. In January 2020, she confirmed her relationship with former Scottish rugby player Thom Evans, and the couple became engaged in June 2023.

Outside of her music and theater career, Scherzinger has been open about her decade-long struggle with bulimia during the height of the Pussycat Dolls’ fame. She has spoken publicly about seeking therapy and life coaching to overcome the disorder and has used her platform to raise awareness of body image issues. Her charitable work includes serving as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and as a UNICEF UK supporter.