The Pussycat that got the cream! Nicole Scherzinger puts feuds with her bandmates, X Factor judge years and rocky relationship with Lewis Hamilton behind her - and is set to ...

By Alanah Khosla For Mailonline

Published: 08:36 EDT, 15 April 2024 | Updated: 09:54 EDT, 15 April 2024

She was the lead singer of one of the world's most successful girl bands and now she's taken the theatre world by storm, but Nicole Scherzinger's life in ths spotlight has been marred by feuds, flops and bad luck in love. 

The Hawaii born pop princess, 45, bagged herself the Olivier Actress for Best Actress for Sunset Boulevard - where she played faded Hollywood starlet Norma Desmond who refuses to accept her star has waned. 

It's a role that could have involved some painful real-life parallels for Nicole who went down the talent show judge route on the X Factor, after the Pussycat Dolls' acrimonious split, and her solo career failed to make a splash. 

Then there was her tumultuous relationship with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and a public spat with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber when she pulled out of Cats, not to mention public sniping from her former bandmates. 

But now Nicole has come out triumphant and is headed for Broadway after her award-winning turn, having finally found happiness with her fiancé, the Scottish rugby star, Thom Evans.

After a brief stint in pop group Eden's Crush, Nicole catapulted to fame as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls (seen in 2007)

EARLY CAREER 

Hailing from humble roots in Honolulu, Hawaii, international stardom didn't come easy for Nicole.

She was born as Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger to her father, Alfonso Valiente, who is of Filipino descent, and her mother, Rosemary, who is of Hawaiian, Ukrainian and Russian ancestry. 

At the age of six, Nicole and her family uprooted to Kentucky - four years after her father, Alfonso Valiente, cut ties with the family.

It was a transition met with hard work and determination. Nicole's mother, Rosemary, worked as a clerk, and her partner and Nicole's adoptive father, Gary Scherzinger, undertook work as a welder. 

On the topic of her upbringing, Nicole told the Telegraph: 'I come from a family of workers.'

She added: 'I've always had a fighter's spark in me. I was born with it. I think it's in my blood. I've only known work my whole life.'

Nicole Scherzinger (front centre) first rose to fame as the lead singer of the Pussy cat Dolls alongside Carmit Bachar (front right), Ashley Roberts (front left), Jessica Sutta (back centre), Melody Thornton (middle left), and Kimberly Wyatt (middle right).

The band, pictured in 2008 after winning Best Dancing In A Video at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, quickly became a worldwide success

Nicole began acting at the age of 14 and studied musical theatre but dropped out of college and toured with jobbing American rock band Days of The New before finding some success with Eden's Crush, a girl group created on an American reality television series.

With her multi-racial background, the said people assumed she was of Pakistani descent. She confided to those who worked with her that her skin colour hasn't always made it easy for her in show business. However, they say, it made her 'unbelievably determined.'

She then joined Pussycat Dolls a burlesque troupe that broke through to the mainstream with Don't Cha in 2005, alongside bandmates Carmit Bachar, Kimberley Wyatt, Ashley Roberts and Jessica Sutta.

One pal of Scherzinger's attributes her success to her being a 'massive grafter. 'He previously told the Daily Mail: 'Nicole was the only one of the Pussycat Dolls who had a chance at becoming a solo act.

'She looked the part and could sing, but she also put the work in and would leave the small ego she had at the door.

'She was like Cheryl Tweedy of Girls Aloud, the stand-out one. She was looking at signing a solo deal and was inundated with offers as the pop world needed a new matriarch and she was feisty and talented.'

Nicole later revealed that her 'strong religious beliefs' made her uncomfortable with the Pussycat Dolls' sexy image when she first joined the band in 2003. 

The PCD lead singer told The Guardian she 'just wanted to make [her] mother proud' when she joined the burlesque-turned-pop group in 2003, aged 25 . 

But when the other auditionees turned up in their underwear it was 'a massive hump' the devout Christian and granddaughter of a Catholic bishop had to try to get over.

'If you look at my outfits, I was in trousers most of the time,' she said. She explained that, despite the band's sexually charged  image, she liked to try to be 'classy' and leave 'a little bit for the imagination' during her early years in the chart-topping group. 

After performing with the Pussycat Dolls as the lead singer- who sold more than 54 million records between 2003-2010. 

They split in 2009 amid rumors of rifts and ego clashes that tore the group apart, and Nicole launched a bid to become a solo artist. 

In 2019, they tried to reform the band and released the single React, but their  reunion tour was later cancelled amid legal battles between Nicole and the group's founder Robin Antin. 

She later admitted that there were 'so many tough moments' between the girls, but insisted any animosity was in the past. 

ROCKY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BAND 

Nicole herself said that she sang '95 per cent' of the vocals on Pussycat Dolls and said that on one occasion, she even recorded the backing vocals.

Her fellow bandmates heard their album for the first time when it was played to them in the studio after Nicole had recorded it. 

While this may not have been a problem for most of them, who were hired as dancers, it was difficult for Melody Thornton, the only other singer.  

'I lost so much confidence and felt really worthless,' she said of not being allowed to sing,' the told The Mirror. 

The original agreement: Antin, the choreographer who founded the group, claims Scherzinger originally agreed to a reunion in 2019 with a 49 percent stake; seen in 2019 in Studio City

'It was pointed out, over and over again, that I was the weakest link in the group. And when you're told, over and over again, 'you're worthless in this group', it's amazing how it affects you mentally. I had never felt insecure until I joined the Pussycat Dolls.'

She insisted that her issue was with the label and not with Nicole, but added that she needed therapy because of her experience of being sidelined in the group. 

In a 2009 performance, Melody made her feelings known on stage in her native Phoenix, Arizona , when the group were supporting Britney Spears.

As each Doll introduced herself, Melody said: 'I want to give a shout out to my family. Thank you for supporting me...even though I'm not featured. Don't give up on your dreams. Don't let anybody stop you - ever.'

In 2010, Kimberly Wyatt quit the chart-topping girl band and hinted at possible friction among members of the group. 

The singer suggested she left because of differences with bandmates - including Lewis Hamilton's ex-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger - citing 'vari ables off-stage' for her departure.

Wyatt announced: 'I've left the group. I am so thankful for everything the Pussycat Dolls has brought into my life.

'But I have to say there were just too many variables that I couldn't agree with and I had to follow my heart. So I decided to kind of push on with my own life.' She added: 'Money and fame can't buy happiness.

'Ultimately I think that happiness is the most important thing in life and I think that once I started to get to know myself more and more I was like, 'You know, I don't think that my happiness is within this group right now.' '

Kimberley Wyatt (pictured in 2011) quit the Pussycat Dolls in 2010 and implied possible friction among band members  

Speaking to men's magazine Loaded, she continued: 'I wish that it was different because I love what we do on stag e. I love being a Doll, but as far as the variables off-stage are concerned â€Â" I just couldn't do it anymore.'

Three years after the band split in 2013, former bandmate Carmit Bacher allegedly said Nicole's decision to hide her eating disorder caused tensions, which contributed to her former band splitting up, a source claimed. 

Carmit Bacher said Scherzinger damaged relationships within the all-girl group by failing to confide in them about her battle with bulimia, a fact she made public in a interview in 2012. 

According to Miss Bachar, who was left feeling 'stupid' for missing the signs of the illness, it made Miss Scherzinger fractious.

Ashley Roberts shared a similar story when she appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2012, telling her jungle campates: 'Even in the group I wasn't allowed to talk, we were told to be quiet. Only Nicole was allowed to talk, we would occasionally pitch in.'

A source claimed Carmit Bachar (far right) said the Pussycat Dolls split because of tensions caused by Nicole Scherzinger's secret eating disorder 

Despite this, a reunion tour was planned for 2020, but was delayed by the pandemic. 

Then chorepographer Robin Antin claimed Scherzinger threatened to pull out of the tour unless she got 75 per cent of the company and 'complete creative control'.

She launched a lawsuit against the singer for 'refusing to participate' in the group's reunion tour... despite previously 'signing off' on the venture 

Nicole said these claims were 'ludicrous and false.'

'Robin will fail in her efforts to trade on Nicole's hard-earned success to pull herself out of a deep financial hole she has created by her own poor business and professional decisions,' her laywer said.  

RELATIONSHIP WITH LEWIS HAMILTON

Nicole and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton (R) started dating in 2007 after meeting in Munich (seen in 2009)

The pair lived their romance in the spotlight (pictured with Naomi Campbell, left, in 2014) 

Nicole also enjoyed a close relationship with Lewis' brother, Nick Hamilton (pictured together in Brazil) 

Despite her desire to become a household name on her own terms, Nicole's fame only really started to soar when she started dating Lewis Hamilton.

She met the F1 driver, seven years her junior, at an after-party at the MTV Music Awards in Munich in 2007, where she had performed.

They were seen giggling and chatting until the early hours before going back to the same hotel. The pair were happy to confirm to journalists just a few days later that they were dating and became tabloid regulars.

Helpfully, their meeting coincided with Scherzinger's bid to become a solo star. 'The whole landscape changed when Nicole and Lewis got together,' said a friend in conversation with the Daily Mail. 

He added: 'All of a sudden the whole world was writing about her , she was the girlfriend of a world famous sports star.'

The column inches quadrupled as the pair lived their romance in the spotlight. She regularly joined him on the grand prix circuit and he would pop up at her performances, admittedly not as frequently.

But the age difference became difficult, especially as Scherzinger was keen to settle down while he wasn't, and their romance soon turned into the most on/off relationship in showbusiness. In 2011 they split, before getting back together a few months later.

Scherzinger had moved to the UK to take part in the X Factor and had become very close to Hamilton's family. 

She was a regular visitor at their modest Hertfordshire property, even when her boyfriend was away racing. Lewis's father Anthony even cooked Thanksgiving dinner for her to ease her homesickness.

Career-wise, there was no stopping her. She was being watched by ten million British viewers every Saturday and Sunday night on The X Factor and was being paid upwards of £1 million a series.

LEWIS HAMILTON HEARTBREAK  

In 2015, the long-distance couple called it quits, with reports claiming the pair had differing aspitartions (pictured in 2008) 

In 2015, Nicole parted ways with the Formula One champion due to the pressures of a long-distance relationship. 

At the time, Nicole was said to be 'heartbroken and devastated' at seeing the couple's seven-year on-off romance come to an end.

A source close to the s tar told MailOnline: 'It was a mutual decision. The long distance kept them apart for long periods of time.

After the split, Nicole was been supported by her family, with her mother Rosemary and elderly grandmother flying to London from Hawaii to be by her side during the difficult time.

Nicole and Lewis' seven years of dating was marred by both public highs and private lows punctuated by periods apart.

At the time, a source told The Sun, Nicole allegedly called time on the romance on this occasion after the racing driver refused to marry her and start a family. 

The source told the paper: 'They've been fighting for months but things had got much worse.

'She finally had enough. Nicole knew Lewis h ad no plans to marry her, she's completely gutted and feels lost about her future.' 

FEUD WITH ANDREW LLYOD WEBBER 

In 2016, Andrew Lloyd Webber slammed Nicole for turning down a role in Cats last minute (seen in 2022)

Instead of taking the theatre job, Nicole decided to take a judge role on the X Factor (seen in 2013)

In 2016, Nicole made headlines after Sir Andrew Llyod Webber branded her 'crazy' after she pulled out of the Broadway production of Cats at the last minute to take a seven-figure salary to return as a judge on ITV's X Factor.

The composer told the Economist that Nicole phoned him up a week before the cast was due to start rehearsals for Cats to say she had decided to ditch the play to join X Factor. 

'She's crazy, but the American producers took a view of, 'Oh fine, we'll get someone else.' She's actually not that well known in America. She's better known here,' he said. 

'I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically brilliant girl and I went out on a limb to get her at the Palladium and now I look like an absolute twot with them all.'

'Nevermind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award,' concluded Andrew.

And Nicole hit back at Andrew's remarks and told the MailOnine: 'I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalized.

'I am incred ibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it work this time around.

'I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can't wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.' 

Two years later, in 2018, Nicole proved her row with Andrew was a distant memory, as she revealed it would be her 'dream' to make a musical with the renowned composer.  

According to The Sun, the singer believes she has 'several musicals in her' and at the time, wanted to turn her hand to playwright with the help of the Phantom of the Opera creator. 

The singer told the paper: 'It would be a dream to ­create something original with Andrew.'Â� � 

RELATIONSHIP WITH THOM EVANS 

Nicole has enjoyed a relationship with rugby star Thom Evans since 2019 (seen in 2021 in Venice)

Thom has spoken publicly about his relationship with the singer turned thespian and claimed he has won the jackpot with Nicole (seen in 2022) 

After a tumultuous relationship with Lewis Hamilton, Nicole finally found her rock in former international rugby star Thom Evans, 39. 

Nicole first met ex-Glasgow Warriors rugby league player Thom, 39, when she was a judge on a celebrity edition of the X Factor in 2019 - and they soon hit it off. 

The inseparable couple are regular fixtures on Nicole's Instagram. In 2022, a friend of the couple told The Daily Mail's Richard Eden that the pair would definitely be getting married, with Thom knowing Nicole was 'the one' since they met. 

Thom gushed of their romance: 'Within the first couple of days with Nicole it was just awesome, and it has been awesome ever since.'

Nicole previously enjoyed an eight-year, on-off relationship with Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and a shorter romance with tennis player Grigor Dimitrov.

While Thom's former girlfriends include model and actress Kelly Brook. But the pair have now found the one they plan to spend the rest of their lives with.

In 2021, Thom opened up on his relationship with Nicole, telling how he was 'massively punching above my weight' and exclaimed: 'I've hit the jackpot'.

Last year, Nicole announced she is engaged to her boyfriend Thom Evans, after he popped the question during a trip to Portugal

 Nicole previously confirmed their baby plans as she said she was 'for sure' thinking about the future and 'definitely wants kids' 

Speaking to The Sun, Thom made it very clear that he feels lucky to be with Nicole as he explained: 'Nobody is asking Nicole how she got with me because I'm massively punching (a bove my weight). She's so easy and fun to be around. I've hit the jackpot.'

Opening up about how he feels about his girlfriend, the sportsman, who has dated the likes of Kelly Brook and Caggie Dunlop, told how he thinks he's found the one after never having experienced that feelings before.

He said: 'People always say, 'When you know, you know' and I can honestly say I'd never really had that moment. But within the first couple of days with Nicole it was just awesome and it has been awesome ever since.'

The pair first became properly acquainted when his group Tristar knocked on Nicole's dressing room door and thanked her for not sending them home amid their stint on X Factor: Celebrity.

And Thom revealed that flirting with the Don't Cha hitmaker wasn't even on his mind when they entered her room as he didn't think he stood a chance, but said there simpl y was an 'instant attraction' between them.

He explained: 'It wasn't even in my thought process to try it on with Nicole because it would have been unprofessional and she's so lovely and stunning in every possible way. I was just like, 'She's out of my league'.

The former Scottish international rugby union player went on to say that it was his grandmother who inspired him to 'pluck up the courage' and talk to Nicole as he recalled her motto: 'If you don't ask, you don't get'.

Thom reflected that he rejected the idea of sliding into the popstar's DMs as he didn't think it was the 'done thing' and would be 'awkward', but instead felt it was right to have an old fashioned face-to-face conversation.

He added that he's 'really grateful' that their relationship began 'naturally' during their 'intimate first meeting', with the hunk insisting he's 'never looked back'.

It had been previously reported that the couple are open to starting a family together in the near future.

A friend told The Sun: 'Thom told pals he's been taking supplements to boost fertility.

'Nicole and Thom are ridiculously loved-up, and have had serious conversations about everything from marriage to babies.'

While in 2020 Nicole confirmed their baby plans as she said she was 'for sure' thinking about the future and 'definitely wants kids'.

She told The Mirror: 'He's my man... the man of my dreams. I definitely want kids, at the right time. It is all about timing.

'It's kind of hard now because I'm supposed to be touring next year, so it's just about timing. I've always wanted a family.'

Nicole added of her beau: 'It's just been a blessing to be able to have, like, a normal, healthy relationship and take time for myself. He is my partner in crime, my best friend.'

And last year, Thom popped the question to Nicole. The Pussycat Dolls star took to Instagram to share snaps of the moment the rugby player got down one knee during a trip to Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal.

Nicole aptly captioned her post: 'I said yes,' along with a ring emoji. The snaps showed the moment Thom got down on one knee with the ring, and the moment they embraced after she said yes. 

Struggling to hide her shock as Thom got down on one knee, Nicole stunned in a blue and white paisley dress for the memorable moment.

WEST END STARDOM 

On Sunday, Nicole bagged herself the award for Best Actress in a Musical for Sunset Boulevard in the winners room at The Olivier Awards 2024

The former Pussycat Doll plays Norma Desmond (pictured) in the critically acclaimed Sunset Boulevard 

Her career as a pop star may be over, but Nicole has impressed critics and viewers alike in the West End play, Sunset Boulevard. 

The former Pussycat Doll, 45, took to the stage at The Savoy Theatre last year to perform as Norma Desmond in the musical.

The role marked her return to the stage, eight years after she was nominated for an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Grizabella in Cats.

The musical is based on the 1950 film of the same name and features songs composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who also created the music for Cats.

It tells the story of silent-film star Norma, who dreams of making her comeback and enlists the help of a struggling screenwriter.

The role has previously been played on stage by actresses including Patti LuPone, Petula Clark and Glenn Close.

Announcing her part in the show in May last year, Nicole said: 'I can't wait to think and play outside the box with brilliant, cutting-edge director Jamie Lloyd.

'And to have the honour of working with the legend himself, Andrew Lloyd Webber, to bring this timeless masterpiece to life.'

Andrew said: 'Nicole is one of the finest singers I have worked with, and I can't wait to get started on this exciting show with her and the rest of this brilliant team.'

And on Sunday evening, the play came out on top with an impressive seven wins at this year's Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London, while Sarah Snook and Andrew Scott's play also win big.

Nicole broke down in tears as she was handed the Best Actress in a Musical Prize for Sunset Boulevard,while her leading co-star Tom Francis took home the Best Actor in a Musical gong.

She said: 'Thank you to the London theatre community for wrapping your arms and legs around me like a spider monkey and embracing me as one of your own.'

Fighting back tears, she continued: 'Coming from really humble beginnings I always wanted to be a singer and do musicals', she also said she wants to do 'so many roles' in the future.

Following her success in London, it was announced earlier this year that Nicole is now headed to Broadway. 

The former Pussycat Doll will be making her Broadway debut this year when Sunset Boulevard opens in New York City.

'Broadway 2024,' the Sunset Boulevard Instagram account announced on Thursday. 'Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett-Young and David Thaxton star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's #SunsetBlvd, reimagined by visionary director Jamie Lloyd. Be the first to get tickets. Sign up now at sunsetblvdbroadway.com.'

While no specific opening date was provided, fans will be able to receive future information by signing up on the website. Citing sources, The New York Post has reported that the musical will open at the St. James Theater in November.

Nicole stars as silent movie star Norma Desmond in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which is based on the film by Billy Wilder. The revival will continue running at The Savoy Theatre in London until January 6.