Nicole Scherzinger Opens Up About Her Overwhelming Experience With The Pussycat Dolls

Nicole Scherzinger is sharing new insights into her time with the Pussycat Dolls. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times,  the 45-year-old pop singer and star of Sunset Boulevard, discussed the challenges and triumphs she faced while being part of the iconic girl group that rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like “Don’t Cha” and “Buttons.”

Reflecting on her journey, Nicole described her time with the Pussycat Dolls as “a profoundly overwhelming experience.” 

She expressed pride in the music they created and the impact they had, but also revealed the difficulties she encountered. “I’m really proud of the music that the Dolls made, and I’m very proud of the little mark that we made with our group. But it was very difficult because I was really learning about myself along the way.”

Nicole was recruited to join the Pussycat Dolls in 2003 by founder-choreographer Robin Antin after her success on the talent show Popstars USA, where her former girl band Eden’s Crush was formed. The group, consisting of Nicole, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts, Melody Thornton, and Carmit Bachar, achieved global fame with their albums PCD and Doll Domination and eight Top 40 singles.

Despite their success, the relentless schedule took its toll on Nicole. “It was such a difficult time, struggling and battling your own demons and issues and always being on the road, and they never allowed sleep in our schedule,” she recalled. 

The nonstop touring and performances were “a recipe for disaster,” she added, noting her ongoing struggles with sleep.

Nicole also faced personal challenges during her time with the group, including body dysmorphia exacerbated by their revealing outfits and constant focus on appearance. “It was difficult for me in the beginning because I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin,” she admitted. 

However, she emphasized that she didn’t feel exploited because she had control over her choices. “Maybe I didn’t love some of the clothes I was wearing, but I got to create a lot of the clothes and say, ‘No, I want to wear trousers.’ “I wanted to look like Will.i.am and Gwen Stefani. So I got to wear clothes that I felt empowered in, and then the girls got to choose what they wanted too,” she shared.

The Pussycat Dolls reunited in 2020 to release their single React and planned a tour, but their plans were derailed by the pandemic and a subsequent lawsuit between Nicole and Robin Antin. 

Despite the legal drama, Nicole looks back fondly on her time with the group. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, she shared her pride in their accomplishments. “I always used to be made to feel like… I don’t know, not ashamed, but… I’m very proud that the albums are my music. I put the work in after all these years, and that’s OK that I have the credit because everybody has their own strengths. And this is what I bring to the table.”