Nicole Scherzinger: "I’m Going Through a Transformational Time in My Life"
Former Pussy Cat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger talks about her new show, confidence, and going blonde. (Photo: Saw First)
When the producers of the new variety show I Can Do That were casting stars that would be game to master new skills every week, they were smart to choose Nicole Scherzinger. While the 36-year-old singer/songwriter rose to fame as a member of the all-female burlesque dance pop group The Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger has gone on to showcase a wide range of talents. She’s sold over 16 million albums as a solo artist, won season 10 of Dancing With the Stars, and been a judge on the X-Factor. Last year she was nominated for the prestigious Olivier Award (Britain’s version of the Tonys) for Best Actress In A Supporting Role In A Musical for playing Grizabella in Cats on London’s West End. She’s also the Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics which will be taking place in LA this year. So it’s not a surprise that Scherzinger would be game to try everything from archery to aerial acrobatics on I Can Do That this summer. The recently single star (she just broke off her engagement from Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton) talks becoming a blonde, working on herself spiritually, and the confidence that comes from facing her fears.
Yahoo Beauty: Congrats on the new show I Can Do That. What made you want to be a part of it?
Nicole Scherzinger: I am quite an adventurous person, quite an extremist, so I was thought it sounded amazing and really fun. It’s a new challenge and that shows people a different side of me.
What have you done so far on the show that pushed you the most out of your comfort zone?
Every week is kind of crazy. I feel like you’re kind of vulnerable and put out there doing stuff you’ve never done before. I’m not singing….
That’s the cool thing about the show, that aspect of having to learn totally new things that you’ve never done before.
There’s one challenge in particular that I did towards the end of the season that I was kind of fearful of. I was like, “I don’t know if I can actually do this.” I thought I was going to make a fool out of myself. I did it, and I can’t believe we actually pulled it off. You feel like it’s such a triumph, you feel really like you could take over the world. Hopefully if people watch the show they can be like, wow I’ve always wanted to try that and never thought I could, maybe I should try it now.
It takes a lot of confidence to take on new challenges, have you always been confident?
I would definitely call myself confident in a lot of ways. Then I definitely have my healthy fair share of insecurities as a woman. But when it comes to work or trying new things I like to go for it and put my best foot forward in whatever I’m a part of and make sure it’s great, not just good.
What have you kind of been proudest of so far in your career?
They revived CATS on the West End in London and I got nominated for an Olivier for my role as Grizabella. That was quite an achievement. To be able to work alongside the greats like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn and Jillian Lynn, to work with them on their level and create with them as an artist was rewarding.
Performing on stage eight shows a week must require so much endurance, what do you do to stay healthy and strong?
It was quite physical and I didn’t know the challenge I was going to be faced with. I actually went to hot yoga every morning before I rehearsed. Not only did it physically keep me limber and strong, but centered mentally and spiritually as well.
Nicole Scherzinger went for the beachy look with a new blonde look. Photo: Instagram
You have a lot of new things going on in your life, including a new blonde beauty look.
I’m going through quite a transformational time in my life. It was a new year, with new beginnings. Having dark hair all my life, I just wanted something fun, and refreshing. I miss being back home in Hawaii and being at the beach, so I just decided to give myself beach hair.
You do have a lot of new things going on, new show, new look, and you’re single. How are you handling all the changes?
It’s all frame of mind, perspective, and how you look at things in your life when you’re going through changes in your life. I think that it’s good to always have a good attitude of being grateful, so that has helped me. I’ve got my music that I’ve been working on for my album Big Fat Lie with The Dream and Tricky Stewart. I love that this show brought out a whole other lioness beast, fun goofy spirit out in me. It kind of ignited me. It’s about just working on yourself, being creative and keeping a positive, uplifting perspective on things. I am always working on myself spiritually, that keeps me grounded and aiming high.
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