I've always wondered why Nicole Scherzinger never found solo stardom after her stint with the Pussycat Dolls. The model, actress, singer, dancer, philanthropist, spokesperson and television personality has quite the amazing voice, but whether it's her inability to appeal to a certain demographic or her reputation as being a diva since her Eden's Crush days, success in music has always been a challenge.
Scherzinger received a lot of undeserved criticism for being the face and voice of PCD. Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly took a major dig at group creator Robin Antin of Scherzinger as the lead singer. Watson said, "there are two kinds of girl groups: those anchored by a superstar (The Supremes, Destiny's Child), and those made up of charismatic personalities endowed with limited individual gifts (Spice Girls, TLC). The Pussycat Dolls are neither--they're a brand, not a band. This follow-up to 2005's multiplatinum PCD finds lead Doll Nicole Scherzinger in the spotlight, and she's no Beyonce. As for the others, well...can you name them? Do you even know how many there are?"
In 2012, Scherzinger claimed in a VH1's Behind the Music special that she was responsible for both lead and backing vocals on the group's songs, with hardly anything sung by her fellow members. Scherzinger, who said that she didn't want to get in trouble for her revelations, explained that the other PCD members often hadn't even heard their tracks until they were recorded. "I never really talked about it, but I'll never forget I finished the album PCD and Ron Fair and I brought the girls into the studio and we played it for them, and it was the first time they'd ever heard the music," she said. "Do you understand what I'm saying? We played the album for the Pussycat Dolls. It was the first time they'd ever heard the songs."
Former member, Kaya Jones, claimed that Scherzinger became the lead singer for the group because "there was a lot more going on behind the scenes." She told TMZ, "Nicole was always someone who wanted to be in the spotlight and would do pretty much anything to get it.""To call the other girls in the Pussycat Dolls 'window dressings' is a bit far fetched... every girl in the group was talented," she added.
With all of the drama behind her, the singer is looking forward to a brighter future--reportedly landing a $4.5 million dollar recording deal with Sony Records.
The deal could afford the 35 year-old a new solo album by this coming summer, meaning the launch of something huge for the U.K. X Factor judge.
According to a source, “Nicole was the most popular member of the ‘X Factor’ panel this year and is the real winner in terms of bankability. She is set to sign with Sony and can’t wait to get back to her music which took a back seat during ‘X Factor.’”
A former competitor on Dancing With the Stars, Nicole Scherzinger is no doubt multi-talented. She hasn’t had the best luck so far, however, in the solo recording business. Her debut album Killer Love came out in 2011 and didn’t see stellar sales. Her next effort, Her Name is Nicole, was never even released.
This deal could mean the end of her ten year relationship with Interscope Records.
In addition, she recently signed a fashion contract with Misguided and renewed her contract with Herbal Essences. Say what you will, but this woman stays with a check and that's the most important factor.