Pussycat Dolls
Encyclopedia
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop
girl group
and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles
; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett
, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin
in 1995 as a burlesque
troupe. After attracting national attention, the group signed a record deal with Interscope Records
, with the original line-up consisting of Nicole Scherzinger
alongside Carmit Bachar
, Melody Thornton
, Jessica Sutta
, Ashley Roberts
and Kimberly Wyatt
. Their debut album, PCD
debuted at number five in the United States and produced six successful singles, including "Don't Cha", "Buttons", and "Stickwitu", which earned the group a Grammy Award
nomination.
Following the departure of Bachar in February 2008, the group continued as a quintet
. They released their second album Doll Domination
in the same year, which spawned singles "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". In early 2010, it was confirmed that Scherzinger, Sutta, Wyatt, Roberts, and Thornton had left the group to focus on their solo careers. In 2011, it was announced the new line-up consisted of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen.
In 2009, Billboard
ranked the Pussycat Dolls as the 80th most successful musical act of the 2000s.
troupe during 1990 with Christina Applegate
and Carla Kama. The dance troupe's first performance was in 1995. During this period which have seen many members in its evolving lineup since debuting in 1995, they performed with numerous guest vocalists, with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960s popular music standards while dressed in lingerie
or old-fashioned pin-up costumes. They secured a Thursday night residency at a Los Angeles
nightclub, The Viper Room, where they stayed from 1995 to 2001. The Pussycat Dolls were also featured in the 1997 Morgan Higby Night
directed film Matters of Consequence.
The troupe received wider press coverage during June 1999, when Playboy
featured a Pussycat Dolls pictorial, featuring at least seven contemporary members posing semi-nude (Kasey Campbell, Kiva Dawson, Antonietta Macri, Erica Breckels, Katie Bergold, Erica Gudis and Lindsley Allen). Three years later, the Pussycat Dolls moved to The Roxy
. They were featured in magazines, television specials for MTV
and VH1
, ad campaigns, and movies. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2003 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
, dancing to "The Pink Panther Theme". They were also featured in Pink
's "Trouble" music video.
Along with Christina Applegate
, Christina Aguilera
and Carmen Electra
(who was the group's lead performer for many of their shows) the troupe was featured in a Maxim
magazine shoot in 2002, which increased public interest in them.
Following their growing popularity, music producers Jimmy Iovine
and Ron Fair
became involved with the group helping them to transform into a franchise. The former dance troupe evolved into a popular music
recording group and became employees of Iovine's label Interscope Records. The only troupe members who remained after the re-casting process were Robin Antin (taking on the creative, executive and managerial roles), Carmit Bachar
, Cyia Batten
, Kasey Campbell, Ashley Roberts
, Jessica Sutta
and Kimberly Wyatt
.
Electra, when asked about her lack of involvement with the group's evolution into a popular music group, she said, "I was part of [The Dolls] for over two years and did every show with them [...] but financially, I couldn't become part of their new music project [...] It was a sacrifice I couldn't make.
winners Eden's Crush
, became the recording group's lead singer. In the same year, vocalist Thornton and Jones were also recruited in order to add vocal strength to the group. The musical group's initial line-up consisted of Scherzinger, Thornton, Jones, Antin, Bachar, Batten, Campbell, Wyatt, Roberts, and Sutta. The group appeared in two soundtracks during 2004, for the films Shark Tale
and Shall We Dance?
. The newly formed recording group's first single was "Sway
" from Shall We Dance?, with a music video inspired by the movie.
In 2004, Jones left the group after recording a few demo songs for the debut album, to pursue modeling and a solo musical career. In early 2005, just before the group's debut, Batten and Campbell left the group to pursue their solo dancing careers. Antin remained with the group as founder, manager and business associate to Interscope. By the time the recording group was launched the musical lineup was a sextet
composed of Scherzinger, Bachar, Thornton, Sutta, Roberts and Wyatt.
On September 13, 2005, they released their debut album, PCD
. The album combined several dance-pop songs with their burlesque style, while the second half of the album contain tributes and covers. Lead and backup vocals are by singer Nicole Scherzinger. The album peaked at number one in New Zealand, the top-five in Canada, the Netherlands and the United States, and top-ten in United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. Worldwide, PCD has sold nine million copies. Their first single, "Don't Cha
" was a success, reaching number one in multiple countries including United Kingdom, Australia and Canada and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100
. The song was originally sung by Tori Alamaze
and featured rapper Busta Rhymes
.
The ballad "Stickwitu
" was another top five in the United States, and was their second number one in the United Kingdom. It was later nominated for a Grammy
for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group
.
"Beep
", featuring will.i.am
, was less successful but did reach number one in Belgium and New Zealand. "Buttons
" (with rapper Snoop Dogg
) scored number three on the UK Singles Chart
and in the United States.
Their next single, "I Don't Need a Man
" was not as successful, although it scored the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The group's sixth single from the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland, becoming the groups top 40 success in the United States. The group was selected to perform for the introduction for ABC's
coverage of the NBA. The Pussycat Dolls first opened for The Black Eyed Peas
Honda Civic Tour
in North America. At the beginning of 2007 they toured in North America as a support act for Christina Aguilera
's Back to Basics Tour
, along with Danity Kane
and NLT
. In November 2006, the Pussycat Dolls embarked their PCD World Tour with Rihanna
as the opening act in the UK leg. The Pussycat Dolls performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena in a concert that was recorded and later streamed via MSN Music.
At least one early member of the L.A. dance troupe, Rachel Sterling, made the move to the Las Vegas show. The cast includes vocalist Jamie Preston, Hayley Zelniker, Amanda Nowak, Colby Amanda and Alicia. Former dolls include Meredith, Jessica Lea, Rachel Sterling, Laurel, Laura Diane, Cindy, Ashley Gates, Bridget Nicole, Jennifer Affronti, Sheila Joy and Jamie Ruiz from Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
.
reported that Interscope executives were working to produce their own reality TV series, overseen by the producers of America's Next Top Model
and McG
, the director of the Charlie's Angels
films. The show, entitled Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
would search for a new member for the recording group. The new member would sing on the next album and tour with the group. The show premiered on The CW, on March 6, 2007, with music produced by Saverio Principini
. It premiered in Australia and the UK on April 1. The season finale announced the winner of the show to be Asia Nitollano
. It was announced in July that Asia Nitollano had "decided to pursue a solo career" instead.
The second season of the show commenced broadcast on February 18, 2008, titled Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
. Unlike the previous series which tried to find a new member to join the Dolls, the second series auditioned women to become part of a new three member all-female group, Girlicious
. Members of the Pussycat Dolls appeared on both seasons of the Pussycat Dolls Present: either as guest judge, performing songs, or in a video message shown to the contestants each week.
During February 2007, Caesars Palace opened the Pussycat Dolls Casino just across the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. It features "Dolls-style" decor and attire for the gaming staff, waitresses and dancers. The Dolls returned to Los Angeles and the Viper Room from November 2008 for regular Friday and Saturday nights performances billed as the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge".
In 2007, Asia Nitollano
nominally became the group's seventh member after winning in the reality show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
, allegedly giving her the opportunity to sing on the next album and on tour. Nitollano performed for the first time with the Dolls during the show's finale, singing their Number 1 Hit "Don't Cha
". She later performed again with the Dolls during The CW Upfronts Party. Her place in the group was questioned due to her only seen performing with the group twice, and was intensified by her non-appearance most notably during the group's Live Earth
performances. On March 8, 2008, Bachar announced she was departing the group for other projects. The group performed for the first time after their break and as a quintet for US troops in Kuwait
for Operation Myspace.
", which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play
. The song topped several European charts and became a worldwide top ten hit. Follow-up single "Whatcha Think About That", a collaboration with Missy Elliott
, failed to enter the US charts but managed to reach the top 20 in several other countries including the UK. The group's second album, Doll Domination
, was released on September 19, 2008. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 79,000 copies sold in its first week of release. A third single from the album, "I Hate This Part
", was released in October 2008 and reached the top ten in the majority of the charts it appeared on. The album's fourth single "Bottle Pop
" received a limited release in the US and Oceania
during March 2009. The Pussycat Dolls on the Doll Domination Tour to support Doll Domination. Lady Gaga
opened for them in Europe and Australia, while Ne-Yo
supported the Pussycat Dolls in the UK leg. In mid-2009 they opened for Britney Spears
' tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears on the first leg in North America.
In April 2009 Scherzinger confirmed to Billboard
that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music. In Europe, the album was re-released with four new songs. In Australia a compilation called Doll Domination 2.0 was released with six songs from the original version plus four new songs. The UK received a six-song EP
called Doll Domination: The Mini Collection on April 27, 2009, featuring four of the original songs plus a remix and a new song. In August 2009, the album was repackaged once more as Doll Domination 3.0 to include all of the previously released bonus songs on one CD with the original album. Its release was limited to Europe and the UK where the group's singles had all reached top 20. The repackaged versions spawned two more singles: the worldwide number one "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" (featured on the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire
) and euro-pop remix of "Hush Hush" (retitled "Hush Hush; Hush Hush
") which reached top 20 internationally. Following Scherzinger's over-emphasis in the release of these two singles, there were several emotional outbursts to the media including one by Thornton during one of the group's appearances on tour.
On January 29, 2010, Jessica Sutta
revealed to E!Online that she had been ousted from the group, following a broken rib she sustained whilst on tour with the group. On February 26, Wyatt confirmed she was also leaving the group in Loaded magazine
. Upon her departure, she told the magazine: "I wish that it was different because I love what we do on stage. I love being a Doll, but as far as variables off-stage are concerned - I just couldn't do it anymore ... when I came out on stage, I knew what my job was and I did it to the best of my ability. I feel like I can relate to anybody in a corporate job – because it's just a job, nothing more!" One day later, Ashley Roberts
announced her departure from the group via her website. She said: "Yes, I have left the Pussycat Dolls.. I love you all sooo much!!! I am so grateful to have the love and support of all of you. It was an amazing ride and I learned so much!" Wyatt would later go on to confirm that all of the members had left the group, including Thornton. In late 2010, Scherzinger officially left the group to pursue a solo career.
and Nigel Lythgoe
as executive producers.
On October 29, an official image was released revealing the six new members of PCD. This confirmed the previously rumoured line-up leaked a few days before, consisting on Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. But furthermore Antin revealed that the new line-up for the recording group is not been officially chosen yet as she revealed that the new Pussycat Dolls may consists not like original 6, but could be 5.
Talking to Billboard
.com on the red carpet at the American Music Awards
Lauren Bennett
confirmed herself as a part of the newly regrouped recording group. This makes her the first member of a brand new lineup that creator Robin Antin confirmed to Billboard was in the process of being built. "We're currently figuring out who's in the group and we're working on an album," Bennett says of the Pussycat Dolls.
through an open audition. The group's original lineup was composed of lead singers Aria Cascaval and Lauren Bennett, rapper Shar Mae Amor and DJ Kelly Beckett. Antin and Ron Fair selected Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
finalist Chelsea Korka to join as a third vocalist, making it into the group's final lineup. The group has yet to make an international debut whilst releasing their debut single and a yet to be released debut album.
The Pussycat Dolls had re-recorded "Don't Cha" in Simlish
for inclusion in the computer game The Sims 2: Pets
. They also appeared in character form in the computer game Asphalt: Urban GT 2
in November 2006.
had plans for a line of dolls modelled after the Pussycat Dolls, and reportedly marketed at six to nine-year-olds. The groups Dads and Daughters and Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood successfully lobbied the company to scrap the plan because they felt that the Pussycat Dolls would have been inappropriate for children, due to the overtly sexual nature of the Pussycat Dolls' songs, videos and live shows. They also negotiated a deal with Estée Lauder
for a Pussycat Dolls line of cosmetics
under the Stila
brand.
During 2008, it was reported that Antin and the La Senza Corporation
of Canada were producing a line of Burlesque/Pussycat Dolls-styled lingerie called "Shhh...by Robin Antin".
On December 15, 2009 Robin Antin released Robin Antin's Pussycat Dolls Workout DVD composing of dancers from the Pussycat Doll Lounge Review, Chrystina Sayers (member of the group Girlicious
) and featuring Nicole Scherzinger.
with the authorities for sexually explicit dancing. The performance, part of their PCD World Tour, was not well-received in the Muslim state which frowned upon the group's "eye-popping attire" and "sexually suggestive stage routines". 'Absolute Entertainment', the company behind the group's appearance in Malaysia was fined $3000 for the incident.
Meanwhile Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly
took a major swipe at the group for their overemphasis 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 Beyoncé. As for the others, well...can you name them? Do you even know how many there are?"
Opening
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett
Lauren Bennett
Lauren Bennett is a British singer, dancer, painter, photographer, and model. She is best known for her involvement with girl groups the Paradiso Girls and Pussycat Dolls and her work with Cee Lo Green and LMFAO.-Early life:...
, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin
Robin Antin
Robin Antin is an American dancer, choreographer, music video director, actress, showgirl, clothing designer and entrepreneur. In 1995 in Los Angeles Antin, Christina Applegate and Carla Kama founded the modern burlesque troupe The Pussycat Dolls...
in 1995 as a burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
troupe. After attracting national attention, the group signed a record deal with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, with the original line-up consisting of Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
alongside Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
, Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
, Jessica Sutta
Jessica Sutta
Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
, Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
and Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
. Their debut album, PCD
PCD (album)
PCD is the debut album by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records. After recruiting Melody Thornton and Nicole Scherzinger and releasing two singles, they released this album...
debuted at number five in the United States and produced six successful singles, including "Don't Cha", "Buttons", and "Stickwitu", which earned the group a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination.
Following the departure of Bachar in February 2008, the group continued as a quintet
Quintet
A quintet is a group containing five members.It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
. They released their second album Doll Domination
Doll Domination
Doll Domination is the second studio album from United States American girlgroup Pussycat Dolls, released from September 19, 2008 by A&M Records. The album debuted at number four on the US album chart, selling 79,000 copies in its first week...
in the same year, which spawned singles "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". In early 2010, it was confirmed that Scherzinger, Sutta, Wyatt, Roberts, and Thornton had left the group to focus on their solo careers. In 2011, it was announced the new line-up consisted of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen.
In 2009, Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
ranked the Pussycat Dolls as the 80th most successful musical act of the 2000s.
1995–2002: Beginnings as a dance troupe
Antin began exploring the idea of a modern burlesqueBurlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
troupe during 1990 with Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations...
and Carla Kama. The dance troupe's first performance was in 1995. During this period which have seen many members in its evolving lineup since debuting in 1995, they performed with numerous guest vocalists, with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960s popular music standards while dressed in lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
or old-fashioned pin-up costumes. They secured a Thursday night residency at a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
nightclub, The Viper Room, where they stayed from 1995 to 2001. The Pussycat Dolls were also featured in the 1997 Morgan Higby Night
Morgan Higby Night
Morgan Higby Night is an American writer, director, , and DJ. His notable works include; feature film , the award winning for The Asylum Street Spankers, , and .-Early life:...
directed film Matters of Consequence.
The troupe received wider press coverage during June 1999, when Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
featured a Pussycat Dolls pictorial, featuring at least seven contemporary members posing semi-nude (Kasey Campbell, Kiva Dawson, Antonietta Macri, Erica Breckels, Katie Bergold, Erica Gudis and Lindsley Allen). Three years later, the Pussycat Dolls moved to The Roxy
The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre is a famous nightclub, on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California. The Roxy is owned by Lou Adler and Adler's son, Nic, who operates the club.- History :...
. They were featured in magazines, television specials for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
, ad campaigns, and movies. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2003 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is a 2003 American action comedy film. It is the sequel to 2000's Charlie's Angels. It opened in the United States on June 27, 2003, and was number one at the box office for that weekend and made a worldwide total of $259.2 million.The cast again includes Cameron...
, dancing to "The Pink Panther Theme". They were also featured in Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
's "Trouble" music video.
Along with Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations...
, Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
and Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
(who was the group's lead performer for many of their shows) the troupe was featured in a Maxim
Maxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
magazine shoot in 2002, which increased public interest in them.
Following their growing popularity, music producers Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
and Ron Fair
Ron Fair
Ron Fair is a veteran A&R executive, record producer arranger, recording engineer and songwriter. In a career that has spanned over 30 years at major record labels he has produced and arranged hits for several artists, but he is best known as a "guru/mentor", guiding the careers of unknown artists...
became involved with the group helping them to transform into a franchise. The former dance troupe evolved into a popular music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
recording group and became employees of Iovine's label Interscope Records. The only troupe members who remained after the re-casting process were Robin Antin (taking on the creative, executive and managerial roles), Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
, Cyia Batten
Cyia Batten
Cyia Batten is an American dancer, model and film/television actress as well as former Pussycat Dolls dance troupe. She has worked as a professional dancer all over the world for various projects including The Pussycat Dolls and Carmen Electra, Teatro Comunale di Firenze and others.She has had...
, Kasey Campbell, Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
, Jessica Sutta
Jessica Sutta
Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
and Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
.
Electra, when asked about her lack of involvement with the group's evolution into a popular music group, she said, "I was part of [The Dolls] for over two years and did every show with them [...] but financially, I couldn't become part of their new music project [...] It was a sacrifice I couldn't make.
2003–06: Recording group formation and PCD
During 2003, Scherzinger, a former member of PopstarsPopstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
winners Eden's Crush
Eden's Crush
Eden's Crush is a former girl group based in Los Angeles created on the American television series Popstars which aired on AOL Time Warner's WB television network in early 2001, and promoted on the AOL on-line service...
, became the recording group's lead singer. In the same year, vocalist Thornton and Jones were also recruited in order to add vocal strength to the group. The musical group's initial line-up consisted of Scherzinger, Thornton, Jones, Antin, Bachar, Batten, Campbell, Wyatt, Roberts, and Sutta. The group appeared in two soundtracks during 2004, for the films Shark Tale
Shark Tale
Shark Tale is a 2004 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation. In the story, a young fish named Oscar falsely claims to have killed the son of a shark mob boss to win favour with the mob boss' enemies and advance his own community standing...
and Shall We Dance?
Shall We Dance? (2004 film)
Shall We Dance? is a 2004 American film. It is a remake of the award-winning Masayuki Suo 1996 Japanese film, Shall We Dance?. The film made its US premier at the Hawaii International Film Festival.-Plot:...
. The newly formed recording group's first single was "Sway
Sway (song)
"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo song by Mexican composer and bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel...
" from Shall We Dance?, with a music video inspired by the movie.
In 2004, Jones left the group after recording a few demo songs for the debut album, to pursue modeling and a solo musical career. In early 2005, just before the group's debut, Batten and Campbell left the group to pursue their solo dancing careers. Antin remained with the group as founder, manager and business associate to Interscope. By the time the recording group was launched the musical lineup was a sextet
Sextet
A sextet is a formation containing exactly six members. It is commonly associated with vocal or musical instrument groups, but can be applied to any situation where six similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
composed of Scherzinger, Bachar, Thornton, Sutta, Roberts and Wyatt.
On September 13, 2005, they released their debut album, PCD
PCD (album)
PCD is the debut album by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records. After recruiting Melody Thornton and Nicole Scherzinger and releasing two singles, they released this album...
. The album combined several dance-pop songs with their burlesque style, while the second half of the album contain tributes and covers. Lead and backup vocals are by singer Nicole Scherzinger. The album peaked at number one in New Zealand, the top-five in Canada, the Netherlands and the United States, and top-ten in United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. Worldwide, PCD has sold nine million copies. Their first single, "Don't Cha
Don't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
" was a success, reaching number one in multiple countries including United Kingdom, Australia and Canada and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song was originally sung by Tori Alamaze
Tori Alamaze
Tori Alamaze is an American singer best known as a backing vocalist for the hip hop duo OutKast.Hailing from Detroit, Alamaze worked as a make-up artist for about 10 years, including work for musicians Faith Evans, Erykah Badu, TLC, Xscape, Monica, Outkast, and Busta Rhymes...
and featured rapper Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
.
The ballad "Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
" was another top five in the United States, and was their second number one in the United Kingdom. It was later nominated for a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals was awarded between 1966 and 2011...
.
"Beep
Beep (song)
"Beep" is a hip hop song released by American recording group the Pussycat Dolls' from their debut album PCD. "Beep" was a moderate success worldwide, having scored within the top twenty on the majority of the charts on which it was rated...
", featuring will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, was less successful but did reach number one in Belgium and New Zealand. "Buttons
Buttons (song)
"Buttons" is an R&B/hip hop song written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger for the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD . Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits...
" (with rapper Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
) scored number three on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and in the United States.
Their next single, "I Don't Need a Man
I Don't Need a Man
"I Don't Need a Man" is the fifth single released from the Pussycat Dolls' debut album, PCD . The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV's show...
" was not as successful, although it scored the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The group's sixth single from the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland, becoming the groups top 40 success in the United States. The group was selected to perform for the introduction for ABC's
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
coverage of the NBA. The Pussycat Dolls first opened for The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
Honda Civic Tour
Honda Civic Tour
The Honda Civic Tour is an annual concert tour, sponsored by Honda Motor Company which began in 2001. Each year, the headlining band or bands customize a Honda Civic for concert patrons to win in a raffle.-First Half:*Headliner: blink-182...
in North America. At the beginning of 2007 they toured in North America as a support act for Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's Back to Basics Tour
Back to Basics Tour
The Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
, along with Danity Kane
Danity Kane
Danity Kane was an American female music group signed to Bad Boy Records, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV's Making the Band reality television series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea...
and NLT
NLT (band)
NLT was an American boy band whose members were Travis Michael Garland, Kevin McHale, Justin Joseph "JJ" Thorne, and Vahe "V" Sevani. They were discovered by Chris Stokes, who signed them to his TUG Entertainment label in 2006.-History:On March 13, 2007, they released their debut single, "That Girl"...
. In November 2006, the Pussycat Dolls embarked their PCD World Tour with Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
as the opening act in the UK leg. The Pussycat Dolls performed at the Manchester Evening News Arena in a concert that was recorded and later streamed via MSN Music.
At least one early member of the L.A. dance troupe, Rachel Sterling, made the move to the Las Vegas show. The cast includes vocalist Jamie Preston, Hayley Zelniker, Amanda Nowak, Colby Amanda and Alicia. Former dolls include Meredith, Jessica Lea, Rachel Sterling, Laurel, Laura Diane, Cindy, Ashley Gates, Bridget Nicole, Jennifer Affronti, Sheila Joy and Jamie Ruiz from Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious is the second and final season of Pussycat Dolls Present:, in which young aspiring female singers/dancers compete in order to claim their spots to become the group "Girlicious"...
.
2007–08: The Pussycat Dolls Present
In April 2006, The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported that Interscope executives were working to produce their own reality TV series, overseen by the producers of America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
and McG
McG
Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer....
, the director of the Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels (film)
Charlie's Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film directed by McG, starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as three women working for a private investigation agency...
films. The show, entitled Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present: that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks...
would search for a new member for the recording group. The new member would sing on the next album and tour with the group. The show premiered on The CW, on March 6, 2007, with music produced by Saverio Principini
Saverio Principini
Saverio Principini is an Italian-American, chart-topping international producer, and songwriter active in the Los Angeles music scene since 1987.- Early life and career :...
. It premiered in Australia and the UK on April 1. The season finale announced the winner of the show to be Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.-Early life:Nitollano was born...
. It was announced in July that Asia Nitollano had "decided to pursue a solo career" instead.
The second season of the show commenced broadcast on February 18, 2008, titled Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious is the second and final season of Pussycat Dolls Present:, in which young aspiring female singers/dancers compete in order to claim their spots to become the group "Girlicious"...
. Unlike the previous series which tried to find a new member to join the Dolls, the second series auditioned women to become part of a new three member all-female group, Girlicious
Girlicious
Girlicious is an American girl group originally formed by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, from the CW reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. The group was originally signed to Geffen Records and composed of members Natalie Mejia, Chrystina Sayers, Nichole Corvoda and...
. Members of the Pussycat Dolls appeared on both seasons of the Pussycat Dolls Present: either as guest judge, performing songs, or in a video message shown to the contestants each week.
During February 2007, Caesars Palace opened the Pussycat Dolls Casino just across the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. It features "Dolls-style" decor and attire for the gaming staff, waitresses and dancers. The Dolls returned to Los Angeles and the Viper Room from November 2008 for regular Friday and Saturday nights performances billed as the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge".
In 2007, Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.-Early life:Nitollano was born...
nominally became the group's seventh member after winning in the reality show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present: that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks...
, allegedly giving her the opportunity to sing on the next album and on tour. Nitollano performed for the first time with the Dolls during the show's finale, singing their Number 1 Hit "Don't Cha
Don't Cha
"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
". She later performed again with the Dolls during The CW Upfronts Party. Her place in the group was questioned due to her only seen performing with the group twice, and was intensified by her non-appearance most notably during the group's Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
performances. On March 8, 2008, Bachar announced she was departing the group for other projects. The group performed for the first time after their break and as a quintet for US troops in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
for Operation Myspace.
2008–10: Doll Domination and third line-up
On May 27, 2008, the Pussycat Dolls released "When I Grow UpWhen I Grow Up (Pussycat Dolls song)
"When I Grow Up" is a song by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, from their second studio album, Doll Domination . It was released on May 27, 2008 as the lead single from the album, and the first following the departure of the group's longest-standing member Carmit Bachar...
", which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
. The song topped several European charts and became a worldwide top ten hit. Follow-up single "Whatcha Think About That", a collaboration with Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, failed to enter the US charts but managed to reach the top 20 in several other countries including the UK. The group's second album, Doll Domination
Doll Domination
Doll Domination is the second studio album from United States American girlgroup Pussycat Dolls, released from September 19, 2008 by A&M Records. The album debuted at number four on the US album chart, selling 79,000 copies in its first week...
, was released on September 19, 2008. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 79,000 copies sold in its first week of release. A third single from the album, "I Hate This Part
I Hate This Part
"I Hate This Part" is a song by American pop/R&B girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their second album, Doll Domination. Written by Wayne Hector, Lucas Secon, Jonas Jeberg and Cutfather it was released as the album's second single on October 7, 2008...
", was released in October 2008 and reached the top ten in the majority of the charts it appeared on. The album's fourth single "Bottle Pop
Bottle Pop
"Bottle Pop" is a song by American pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their second album, Doll Domination . Written by Fernando Garibay, Nicole Scherzinger and Sean Garrett who also produced it, was released as the fourth single in Oceania and Germany. Snoop Dogg is featured only in the album's...
" received a limited release in the US and Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
during March 2009. The Pussycat Dolls on the Doll Domination Tour to support Doll Domination. Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
opened for them in Europe and Australia, while Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
supported the Pussycat Dolls in the UK leg. In mid-2009 they opened for Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
' tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears on the first leg in North America.
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music. In Europe, the album was re-released with four new songs. In Australia a compilation called Doll Domination 2.0 was released with six songs from the original version plus four new songs. The UK received a six-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
called Doll Domination: The Mini Collection on April 27, 2009, featuring four of the original songs plus a remix and a new song. In August 2009, the album was repackaged once more as Doll Domination 3.0 to include all of the previously released bonus songs on one CD with the original album. Its release was limited to Europe and the UK where the group's singles had all reached top 20. The repackaged versions spawned two more singles: the worldwide number one "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" (featured on the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
) and euro-pop remix of "Hush Hush" (retitled "Hush Hush; Hush Hush
Hush Hush
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" is a song by American female pop group Pussycat Dolls from their second studio album Doll Domination . Written by Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi, Ina Wroldsen, Nicole Scherzinger, Dino Fekaris, Frederik Perren and produced by Quiz & LaRossi and Dave Audé for the remixed...
") which reached top 20 internationally. Following Scherzinger's over-emphasis in the release of these two singles, there were several emotional outbursts to the media including one by Thornton during one of the group's appearances on tour.
On January 29, 2010, Jessica Sutta
Jessica Sutta
Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
revealed to E!Online that she had been ousted from the group, following a broken rib she sustained whilst on tour with the group. On February 26, Wyatt confirmed she was also leaving the group in Loaded magazine
Loaded (magazine)
Loaded, first published in 1994, is a British magazine for men that is considered to be the "original lads' mag". Its motto is "For men who should know better".-History:...
. Upon her departure, she told the magazine: "I wish that it was different because I love what we do on stage. I love being a Doll, but as far as variables off-stage are concerned - I just couldn't do it anymore ... when I came out on stage, I knew what my job was and I did it to the best of my ability. I feel like I can relate to anybody in a corporate job – because it's just a job, nothing more!" One day later, Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
announced her departure from the group via her website. She said: "Yes, I have left the Pussycat Dolls.. I love you all sooo much!!! I am so grateful to have the love and support of all of you. It was an amazing ride and I learned so much!" Wyatt would later go on to confirm that all of the members had left the group, including Thornton. In late 2010, Scherzinger officially left the group to pursue a solo career.
2011–present: Fourth line-up
In March 2011, Antin confirmed that she would be holding auditions to find new girls in order to replace the departed members of the group. On September 16, 2011, it was revealed that the new line-up will be formed on a reality series, which will see Kim KardashianKim Kardashian
Kimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian is an American socialite, television personality, model, actress and businesswoman. She is known for the E! reality series that she shares with her family—Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and its spin-offs including Kourtney and Kim Take New York...
and Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
as executive producers.
On October 29, an official image was released revealing the six new members of PCD. This confirmed the previously rumoured line-up leaked a few days before, consisting on Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. But furthermore Antin revealed that the new line-up for the recording group is not been officially chosen yet as she revealed that the new Pussycat Dolls may consists not like original 6, but could be 5.
Talking to Billboard
Billboard
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
.com on the red carpet at the American Music Awards
American Music Awards
-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
Lauren Bennett
Lauren Bennett
Lauren Bennett is a British singer, dancer, painter, photographer, and model. She is best known for her involvement with girl groups the Paradiso Girls and Pussycat Dolls and her work with Cee Lo Green and LMFAO.-Early life:...
confirmed herself as a part of the newly regrouped recording group. This makes her the first member of a brand new lineup that creator Robin Antin confirmed to Billboard was in the process of being built. "We're currently figuring out who's in the group and we're working on an album," Bennett says of the Pussycat Dolls.
Other work
In 2007, Interscope formed a London-based spin-off group called Paradiso GirlsParadiso Girls
The Paradiso Girls were a girl group and the brainchild of Jimmy Iovine, an attempt to create a European spin–off of Iovine's other girl group The Pussycat Dolls. After forming in 2007, the group consisted of seven members but by 2008 this had dropped to five...
through an open audition. The group's original lineup was composed of lead singers Aria Cascaval and Lauren Bennett, rapper Shar Mae Amor and DJ Kelly Beckett. Antin and Ron Fair selected Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present: that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks...
finalist Chelsea Korka to join as a third vocalist, making it into the group's final lineup. The group has yet to make an international debut whilst releasing their debut single and a yet to be released debut album.
The Pussycat Dolls had re-recorded "Don't Cha" in Simlish
Simlish
Simlish is a fictional language featured in EA Games' Sim series of games. It debuted in SimCopter, and has been especially prominent in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. The Sims development team created the unique Simlish language by experimenting with fractured Ukrainian, French, Latin,...
for inclusion in the computer game The Sims 2: Pets
The Sims 2: Pets
The Sims 2: Pets is the fourth expansion pack in The Sims 2 series of games, as well as a stand-alone game for several consoles. It is published by Electronic Arts...
. They also appeared in character form in the computer game Asphalt: Urban GT 2
Asphalt: Urban GT 2
Asphalt: Urban GT 2 is racing game developed and published by Gameloft for the Nintendo DS, N-Gage and PlayStation Portable. A 2.5D Java ME version for mobile phones was also released....
in November 2006.
Merchandise
In a merchandising agreement with Interscope in 2006, toy manufacturer HasbroHasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
had plans for a line of dolls modelled after the Pussycat Dolls, and reportedly marketed at six to nine-year-olds. The groups Dads and Daughters and Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood successfully lobbied the company to scrap the plan because they felt that the Pussycat Dolls would have been inappropriate for children, due to the overtly sexual nature of the Pussycat Dolls' songs, videos and live shows. They also negotiated a deal with Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder Companies
Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company has its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-History:...
for a Pussycat Dolls line of cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
under the Stila
Stila
- History :Stila Cosmetics was founded in 1994 by celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell. The name Stila was derived from the Italian word "stilare," which can mean "to pen"...
brand.
During 2008, it was reported that Antin and the La Senza Corporation
La Senza
La Senza Corporation is a Canadian fashion retailer based in Dorval, Quebec, Canada, which sells lingerie and intimate apparel. The La Senza brand is currently owned by Limited Brands.- History :...
of Canada were producing a line of Burlesque/Pussycat Dolls-styled lingerie called "Shhh...by Robin Antin".
On December 15, 2009 Robin Antin released Robin Antin's Pussycat Dolls Workout DVD composing of dancers from the Pussycat Doll Lounge Review, Chrystina Sayers (member of the group Girlicious
Girlicious
Girlicious is an American girl group originally formed by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, from the CW reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. The group was originally signed to Geffen Records and composed of members Natalie Mejia, Chrystina Sayers, Nichole Corvoda and...
) and featuring Nicole Scherzinger.
Controversies
In 2006, the group ran into trouble in Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
with the authorities for sexually explicit dancing. The performance, part of their PCD World Tour, was not well-received in the Muslim state which frowned upon the group's "eye-popping attire" and "sexually suggestive stage routines". 'Absolute Entertainment', the company behind the group's appearance in Malaysia was fined $3000 for the incident.
Meanwhile Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
took a major swipe at the group for their overemphasis of Scherzinger as the lead singer. Watson said, "there are two kinds of girl groups: those anchored by a superstar (The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
), and those made up of charismatic personalities endowed with limited individual gifts (Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
). 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 Beyoncé. As for the others, well...can you name them? Do you even know how many there are?"
Recording group
| Doll | Year | Line-up |
|---|---|---|
| Carmit Bachar Carmit Bachar Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently... |
2001-2008 | 1st Line-up, 2nd Line-up (brief) |
| Cyia Batten Cyia Batten Cyia Batten is an American dancer, model and film/television actress as well as former Pussycat Dolls dance troupe. She has worked as a professional dancer all over the world for various projects including The Pussycat Dolls and Carmen Electra, Teatro Comunale di Firenze and others.She has had... |
2002-2005 | 1st Line-up |
| Casey Campbell | 2002-2005 | 1st Line-up |
| Jessica Sutta Jessica Sutta Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her... |
2002-2010 | 1st & 2nd Line-up |
| Ashley Roberts Ashley Roberts Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls... |
2002-2010 | 1st & 2nd Line-up |
| Kimberly Wyatt Kimberly Wyatt Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003... |
2002-2010 | 1st & 2nd Line-up |
| Kaya Jones Kaya Jones Kaya Jones August 28, 1984, Toronto, Canada) is a singer, actress, dancer, model and former member of the girl group The Pussycat Dolls from 2003-2006... |
2003-2006 | 1st Line-up |
| Melody Thornton Melody Thornton Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls... |
2003-2010 | 1st & 2nd Line-up |
| Nicole Scherzinger Nicole Scherzinger Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls.... |
2003-2010 | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Line-up |
| Asia Nitollano Asia Nitollano Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.-Early life:Nitollano was born... |
2007 | 2nd Line-up (brief) |
| Jamie Lee Ruiz | 2010 | 3rd Line-up |
| Rino Nakasone Razalan Rino Nakasone Razalan Rino Nakasone Razalan born on June 11, 1979 is a dancer, choreographer from Okinawa, Japan. Rino participated in America's Best Dance Crew Season 3, alongside the crew Beat Freaks.... |
2010 | 3rd Line-up (brief) |
| Kherington Payne Kherington Payne Kherington Taylor Payne is an American dancer and actress who came to prominence as a Top 10 Finalist in Season 4 of the hit reality-dance show So You Think You Can Dance and in a role in the 2009 reinvention of the movie Fame. She's been a principal dancer for Katy Perry, and is also a lead cast... |
2010 | 3rd Line-up(brief) |
| Vanessa Curry | 2010-Present | 3rd & 4th Line-up |
| Lauren Bennett Lauren Bennett Lauren Bennett is a British singer, dancer, painter, photographer, and model. She is best known for her involvement with girl groups the Paradiso Girls and Pussycat Dolls and her work with Cee Lo Green and LMFAO.-Early life:... |
2011-Present | 4th Line-up |
| Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith | 2011-Present | 4th Line-up |
| Tiffany "Taz" Zavala | 2011-Present | 4th Line-up |
| Kia Hampton | 2011-Present | 4th Line-up |
| Paula Van Oppen | 2011-Present | 4th Line-up |
Dance troupe
| Doll | Year | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Christina Applegate Christina Applegate Christina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations... |
1995-2002 | The Roxy & The Viper room |
| Carmit Bachar Carmit Bachar Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently... |
1995-2001 | The Roxy & The Viper room |
| Nadine Ellis | 1995-2003 | The Roxy & The Viper room |
| Jaime Preston | ¿?-Present | LA doll |
| Staci Flood Staci Flood Staci Beth Codorniz Lavine Costa de Souza Flood is an American singer, dancer and model best known for her lead dance roles in the music videos "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias and "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake .... |
¿?-2003 | The Roxy |
| Etty Lau Farrell Etty Lau Farrell Etty Lau Farrell is a vocalist for the band Satellite Party and one of the stars of the show Married to Rock. She also works as a professional dancer in the film and music industry.-Early life:... |
2002 | The Roxy |
| Carmen Electra Carmen Electra Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer... |
2002-2003 | The Roxy |
| Cyia Batten Cyia Batten Cyia Batten is an American dancer, model and film/television actress as well as former Pussycat Dolls dance troupe. She has worked as a professional dancer all over the world for various projects including The Pussycat Dolls and Carmen Electra, Teatro Comunale di Firenze and others.She has had... |
1995-2002 | The Roxy |
| Casey Campbell | 1995-2004 | The Roxy |
| Jessica Sutta Jessica Sutta Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her... |
2002 | The Roxy |
| Ashley Roberts Ashley Roberts Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls... |
2002 | The Roxy |
| Kimberly Wyatt Kimberly Wyatt Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003... |
2002 | The Roxy |
| Hayley Zelniker | LA doll | |
| Amanda Nowak | LA doll | |
| Colby Lemmo | 2008-Present | LA doll & Burlesque Saloon |
| Alicia Blair | LA doll | |
| Jamie Lee Ruiz | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Michelle "Jersey" Maniscalco | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Vanessa Curry | 2008-2011 | Burlesque Review |
| Jessi Peralta | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Stephanie Moseley | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Courtney Parker | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Fransesca Ramirez | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Alexis(Allie Steel) | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Molly D' Amour | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Jenny Robinson | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Dani Levine | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Kasia Moss | 2008-Present | Burlesque Review |
| Tarin Pratt | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Erica Kiehl Jenkins | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Sophia Monica | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Megan Bostwick | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Demara | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Sheila Joy | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Lauren Venardos | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Jenny Driebe | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Noelle Naone Brechler | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
| Emily Istre | 2011-Present | Burlesque Saloon |
Discography
- PCDPCD (album)PCD is the debut album by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records. After recruiting Melody Thornton and Nicole Scherzinger and releasing two singles, they released this album...
(2005) - Doll DominationDoll DominationDoll Domination is the second studio album from United States American girlgroup Pussycat Dolls, released from September 19, 2008 by A&M Records. The album debuted at number four on the US album chart, selling 79,000 copies in its first week...
(2008)
Tours
Headlining- PCD World Tour (2006–2007)
- Doll Domination Tour (2009)
Opening
- Honda Civic TourHonda Civic TourThe Honda Civic Tour is an annual concert tour, sponsored by Honda Motor Company which began in 2001. Each year, the headlining band or bands customize a Honda Civic for concert patrons to win in a raffle.-First Half:*Headliner: blink-182...
(2006) - Back to Basics TourBack to Basics TourThe Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
(2007) - The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009)