How many failed attempts at recreating the Pussycat Dolls is Robin Antin going to forgo before she realizes that this is not 2005 and girl groups are no longer popular in the U.S.? I'll give them a try, but once Danity Kane release their new single, I along with everyone else will immediately forget about P.C.D. 80.0.
In February of last year the new lineup of P.C.D. premiered in a GoDaddy commercial during the Superbowl, upon what was supposed to be the release of their new single "Ready 4 Peace." Two months later Chrystina Sayers left the five-some to pursue a solo career, and in the midst of her leaving Erika Jenkins and Vanessa Curry also left. That same month Natalia Mejia of Girlicious, Amanda Branche and Natasha Slayton were named as replacements.
Shortly thereafter Natalia Mejia and Amanda Branche were replaced by Simone Battle and Emmalyn Estrada to form G.R.L.
"It started off as just an idea, and it kept evolving and evolving," member Lauren Bennett told Billboard. As for the decision to drop the Pussycat Dolls name and go for something fresh, Bennett said, "When the music came, it wasn't as urban as the Pussycat Dolls. It was more of a pop group, and I think that's different about us."
Following Bennett was Paula Van Oppen, a veteran dancer and aspiring producer; Natasha Slayton, a former child actress who took up guitar at 13; Simone Battle, who had released a cheeky single titled "He Likes Boys" in 2012; and finally Emmalyn Estrada, an ambidextrous musician who has popped up on "Bates Motel." The process of configuring the final G.R.L. lineup was painstaking, but necessary.
"This is not something that happened overnight," says Van Oppen. Bennett adds, "You have to see who fits. I think bringing people in gradually makes it more organic."
In July G.R.L. debuted their first single "Vacation" which was featured on the Smurfs 2 soundtrack, as they continued to record their own album. "We're recording our album right now," said Slayton. "But this summer is about the single and promoting it, releasing a music video and having fans get to know us."
Well the video for "Vacation" is finally here, get to know the new G.R.L., or the new Pussycat Dolls--as everyone will refer to them as, after the break.
