The Pussycat Dolls achieved worldwide success with the singles "Don't Cha", "Stickwitu", "Buttons", and theirmulti-platinum debut albumPCD (2005). However, despite their commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict due to the emphasis on Scherzinger, the group's lead vocalist, and the subordinate treatment of the other members. Bachar's departure from the group preceded the release of their second and final studio albumDoll Domination (2008), which contains hit singles "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part", and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". Following the completion of their2009 world tour, the group went on hiatus and fully disbanded in 2010. The original recording line-up, minus Thornton, announced their reunion in 2019 withan upcoming tour and a new album. However, amidst increasing delays from theCOVID-19 pandemic, along with breaches of contracts and logistical issues, the reunion tour was cancelled in 2022, leaving the group's fate uncertain, and a possible disband.
Antin began exploring the idea of amodern burlesque troupe during 1990 with Carla Kama andChristina Applegate as performers.[9][10][11] The troupe began to perform in 1995, with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960spopular music standards while dressed inlingerie or old-fashionedpin-up costumes. They secured a Thursday night residency at aLos Angeles nightclub,The Viper Room, where they stayed from 1995 to 2001. They appeared briefly in the 1998 filmsMatters of Consequence (dancing toHenry Mancini's "Hub Caps and Tail Lights", andKeely Smith's "When Your Lover has Gone"), andThe Treat (directed byJonathan Gems). From 1995 to 2003 there were numerous guest vocalists, and many changes to the dance personnel.
The troupe received wider press coverage during June 1999, whenPlayboy 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).[12] Three years later, the Pussycat Dolls moved toThe Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. They were featured in magazines, television specials forMTV andVH1, ad campaigns, and films. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2003 filmCharlie's Angels: Full Throttle,[9] dancing to Mancini's "The Pink Panther Theme". They were also featured inPink's "Trouble" music video. Along with Applegate,Christina Aguilera andCarmen Electra (who was the group's lead performer for many of their shows) the troupe was featured in aMaxim magazine shoot in 2002,[13] which increased public interest in them (Aguilera later appeared in the similarly themed 2010 filmBurlesque directed by Robin Antin's brotherSteve). In November 2002 the Dolls appeared with Electra on theLate Show with David Letterman (dancing to "The Pink Panther Theme" andSquirrel Nut Zippers' "My Drag", and withStaci Flood singing "Big Spender").[14] In 2003, the troupe appeared alongsidet.A.T.u. during the band's live performance of "All the Things She Said" / "Not Gonna Get Us" at the2003 MTV Movie Awards.
Following their growing popularity,Interscope Geffen A&M Recordsmusic producersJimmy Iovine andRon Fair became involved with the group helping them to transform into a franchise afterGwen Stefani was asked to perform with the group.[15] The former dance troupe evolved into apopular 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,Carmit Bachar,Cyia Batten, Kasey Campbell,Ashley Roberts,Jessica Sutta andKimberly Wyatt. Electra, when asked about her lack of involvement with the group's evolution into a popular music group, said, "I was part of [the Pussycat 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."[16]
2003–2007: Recording group formation andPCD
The Pussycat Dolls performing at theTacoma Dome, Washington on December 10, 2006.
During 2003, Antin struck a joint venture withInterscope Records to develop the Pussycat Dolls into a brand, withJimmy Iovine assigning the project toRon Fair.[17] Auditions followed suit, for a separate group which would not include celebrity members.[17] SingersNicole Scherzinger,Melody Thornton andKaya Jones[18][19] were recruited, joining Bachar, Roberts, Sutta, Wyatt, Batten, Campbell and Antin to form a new recording group.[20] In February 2004, they performed "Big Spender" live at theMTV Asia Awards.[21][22] In 2004, they recorded "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" for theShark Tale soundtrack and recorded the single, "Sway" which is featured on the soundtrack ofShall We Dance?[20] The group briefly reunited with Electra for a guest performance atVH1 Divas 2004 where they performed "Tainted Love", "You Can Leave Your Hat On" (withTom Jones) and "Girls on Film" before joining the headliners in a finale of "New Attitude" alongsidePatti LaBelle. Kaya Jones left the group in September 2004, while Batten and Campbell left in January 2005. Antin would eventually shift into a strictly managerial and creative role.
The group's debut album,PCD, was released in September 2005 and sold three million copies in the United States.[23] The album's lead single, "Don't Cha", was a number-one hit in various countries worldwide and became theirsignature song,[24][25] reaching number two on the USBillboard Hot 100.[26] It was followed by "Stickwitu", which became their second number-one single in the UK and New Zealand, and reached number five on the Hot 100.[27] It was nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.[28] "Beep" also became a hit, reaching number one in Belgium and New Zealand, number two in the UK, and number thirteen in the US.[29] The group became one of the top-selling artists in 2006, while the album appeared at number twelve on theBillboard 200-year-end chart that year.[30]
The group was selected to perform for the introduction forABC's coverage of theNBA.[31] The Pussycat Dolls first opened forThe Black Eyed Peas'Honda Civic Tour in North America.[32] To further promote the album,Snoop Dogg was added to a remix of "Buttons",[33] which became a worldwide hit reaching number three on theBillboard Hot 100,[34] and top five elsewhere.[35] The Pussycat Dolls embarked on theirPCD World Tour withRihanna as the opening act in the UK leg.[36] One of the dates of the PCD World Tour was recorded and streamed viaMSN Music. The group ran into trouble inKuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the authorities for sexually explicit dancing. The performance, a part of the 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.[37] Two final singles would be released from the album, "I Don't Need a Man" and "Wait a Minute", with the former becoming a moderate success and the latter becoming the group's fifth top 40 single on the Hot 100.[29]
To further promotePCD, the Pussycat Dolls toured along withDanity Kane on Christina Aguilera'sBack to Basics Tour in North America from February to May 2007.[38] The success of the group's debut album brought them a wide array of spin-offs including aCW reality series,Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll.[39] The goal of the show was to add a seventh member to join them in future endeavors.Asia Nitollano was announced as the winner on April 24, however several months later, it was revealed that Nitollano had actually quit the group shortly after the finale aired.[40] Following their performance atLive Earth, the group would only have occasional one-off performances for a while and went on a hiatus in mid-2007, during which Scherzinger attempted to launch a solo career. Plans for her debut solo album,Her Name is Nicole, would eventually be shelved after the release of four singles failed to make an impact on the charts. In August 2007, Sutta would be featured on thePaul van Dyke track "White Lies", which topped the USBillboard Hot Dance Singles chart.
2008–2010:Doll Domination and disbandment
The Pussycat Dolls in front of an Operation Iraqi Freedom unit seal atCamp Buehring,Kuwait, on March 10, 2008.
In February 2008, Antin confirmed that Scherzinger was back in the studio working on the group's second album.[41]The following month, Bachar announced on the group's website that she had left to pursue a solo career. At the time of her departure, she was the longest-serving member of the group.[42] She later explained that her departure stemmed from group tensions and feeling underappreciated, noting that differing personalities and the dynamics of the group eventually made her decision to leave a natural one.[43] The group then performed for the Operation MySpace concert which honored US troops stationed inKuwait. Several days later gave their first performance without Bachar at the Operation MySpace concert honoring US troops in Kuwait and at at Antin’sLos Angeles Fashion Week show.[44]
In May 2008, they released their second album's lead single "When I Grow Up",[45] which reached the top ten in 16 countries.[9] At the2008 MTV Video Music Awards, its accompanying music video was nominated for six awards, the most of that ceremony,[46] and went on to winBest Dancing in a Video.[47]Doll Domination was released in September 2008 to mixed reviews.[48] It attained their highest peak position on theBillboard 200,[49] but failed to match the sales of its predecessor, selling less than a sixth as many asPCD sold (in the UK),[50] and regarding it as a commercial disappointment.[51] Three subsequent singles were released in 2008, "Whatcha Think About That", "Out of This Club", and "I Hate This Part";[52] the last one peaked at number 11 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart.[53]
In January 2009, the Pussycat Dolls embarked on theDoll Domination Tour, their second headlining worldwide concert tour, which highlighted stops in Europe, Oceania, and Asia,[54] and grossed over $14 million.[note 1] Between the first two legs, the group opened forThe Circus Starring Britney Spears in North America.[56] In May 2009, Jessica Sutta suffered a back injury during the first Sydney show, leaving the group performing as a foursome throughout the following shows.[57] While on tour in Europe, Nicole Scherzinger was asked to re-write pop version of "Jai Ho" from the filmSlumdog Millionaire (2008).[58] The song was entitled "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and credited Scherzinger as a featured artist. This caused internal strife within the group, and a public outburst byMelody Thornton during one of the group's appearances on tour.[59] Despite that, it became one of their most successful singles,[60] and peaked at number 15 on theBillboard Hot 100, after charging eighty-five places, making the largest weekly leap from number 100.[61] The album's final two singles, "Bottle Pop" and "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" topped the USHot Dance/Club Songs chart.[62] Meanwhile,Doll Domination was reissued into scaled down versions in various territories; in Australia, the album was subtitled2.0. with ten songs and anEP subtitledThe Mini Collection was released in the United Kingdom.[63][50]
After the tour's conclusion, the group went on a hiatus,[64] with Robin Antin acknowledging that new members would be joining Scherzinger.[65] By February 2010, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, and Melody Thornton had announced their departures from the group,[66] with Wyatt later acknowledging that "the group has fully disbanded."[67] In May 2010, four new members surrounded Scherzinger in a new line-up,[68] but by the end of the year, Scherzinger had left the group to pursue a solo career.[69] In 2011, there were continued attempts to rebuild the group, and a line-up that included formerParadiso Girls memberLauren Bennett, formerGirlicious member Chrystina Sayers, Paula van Oppen,Vanessa Curry, andDallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Erica Kiehl Jenkins was featured in aGoDaddy commercial duringSuper Bowl XLVI.[70] The group would go on to call themselvesG.R.L, citing the need for differentiating from the Pussycat Dolls due to their music being less urban and they would spend the rest of the year recording their debut album.[71][72] In 2015, the group would disband nine months after memberSimone Battle committed suicide following a battle with depression, before returning as a trio in 2016.[73][74]
2017–2022: Reunion, tour and second disbandment
In October 2017, social media sites were set up for a reunion.[75] On April 25, 2018, during an appearance onTheChris Ramsey Show, Wyatt claimed that the band could reunite before the end of 2018. "We're all just in a place where we're kind of ready to live it all again, and make it fun and enjoy it and everything," she said. "So yeah, we're looking at the possibilities."[76]
Later in September 2019,Entertainment Tonight reported that Scherzinger has joined former members of the Pussycat Dolls for new studio sessions and the band would be reuniting for a "greatest hits" tour in 2020.[77]
On November 28, 2019, the group then confirmed their reunion on British radio stationHeart, confirming that Bachar, Roberts, Scherzinger, Sutta, and Wyatt had been recording new music and have announced nine tour dates around the United Kingdom in 2020, with theirThe Pussycat Dolls Tour. It has been expanded to include dates in Australia and New Zealand. The tour, however, was pushed back to 2021 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic situation at that time.[78][79][80] During the interview, Scherzinger remarked that it had been around ten years since the group's last tour and that the time felt right, "it's been a long time coming, but this feels like the perfect time to remind the world what it means to be a Pussycat Doll."[80] According to group founderRobin Antin, Thornton would not be taking part due to her feeling like the time was not right.[citation needed] The group have stated that they are leaving the door open for Thornton and she would be welcome back if she decided to join them later down the line.
On November 30, 2019, the Pussycat Dolls performed atThe X Factor: Celebrity finale with a medley of their previous hits "Buttons", "When I Grow Up", "Don't Cha", and a brand new song, "React".[81] The group's performance at the show attracted over 400 complaints to British broadcasting regulatorOfcom for their "risque outfits" and being "too raunchy".[82] Sutta confirmed that a new album was in the works.[83] On January 31, 2020, singerMeghan Trainor released her third studio album,Treat Myself, which features the Pussycat Dolls on the song "Genetics".[84] In February 2020, the group performed onAnt and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and atNova FM 96.9's Red Room at Glass IslandSydney Harbour, Australia in March.[85][86]
In March 2021, it was announced that The Pussycat Dolls Tour was once again being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation at that time.[87] In the same month, Sutta and Robin Antin appeared onEntertainment Tonight to announce Sutta's pregnancy and confirm the group's plans for new music and to tour when it was safe to do so. The group is in discussions to collaborate withCardi B,Megan Thee Stallion, andKarol G, while also expressing a desire to work withSnoop Dogg again.[88] On new music, Sutta said: "I think you're going to hear a lot of us singing. All my bandmates are incredibly talented, they have beautiful voices and I think it's definitely time for them to shine."[89]
In January 2022, Scherzinger officially confirmed the tour's cancellation on anInstagram story post. The official reasons cited "evolving circumstances surrounding the pandemic". Not long after group members Sutta and Bachar confirmed that they had only learnt about the tour's cancellation from Scherzinger's Instagram post, writing their own statement saying "We want to say how incredibly disappointed we are to learn of an announcement made on Instagram that The Pussycat Dolls reunion tour is canceled. As of now, there has been no official notification of that." Antin also confirmed the tour's cancellation stating that "all of us have made personal & financial sacrifices"... and later confirming that there were "truths to this situation" which may see the light of day one day.[90][91] Wyatt has expressed she had "done all [she] can", as she was the motivator for the reunion for years. She confirmed that both she and Roberts still wanted the tour to happen.[92]
On May 28, 2022,Universal Music Group releasedCelebrating Pride: The Pussycat Dolls, a compilation EP featuring six previous singles including "Don't Cha", "Buttons", "Stickwitu", "When I Grow Up", "Beep" and "I Don't Need a Man".[93]
Other ventures
The PCD Casino located at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The Pussycat Dolls had re-recorded "Don't Cha" inSimlish (as "Do Ba") for inclusion in the computer gameThe Sims 2: Pets.[94] They also appeared in the video gameAsphalt: Urban GT 2 released in November 2005,[95] though their presence in-game was criticised by reviewers as a "marketing gimmick".[96] In a merchandising agreement with Interscope in 2006, toy manufacturerHasbro planned a line of dolls modeled after the group, reportedly to be marketed to six to nine-year-olds.[97] Two organizations (Dads and Daughters andCampaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood) successfully lobbied Hasbro to scrap the plan,[98] saying they felt the group would have been inappropriate for children due to the overtly sexual nature of the Pussycat Dolls' songs, videos and performances.[99] Also in 2006, Interscope negotiated a deal withEstée Lauder for a Pussycat Dolls line ofcosmetics under theStila brand.[100] In 2008, Robin Antin and theLa Senza Corporation produced a line of Burlesque Pussycat Dolls-styled lingerie called "Shhh...by Robin Antin",[101] and on December 15, Antin releasedRobin Antin's Pussycat Dolls Workout, which is composed of dancers from the Pussycat Doll Lounge Review includingChrystina Sayers fromGirlicious, and features Nicole Scherzinger.[102]
Caesars Palace inLas Vegas operated a resident live show at its "Pussycat Dolls Lounge", until closing the venue in February 2015.[103] The burlesque-style show had female dancers inside arhinestone-encrusted bathtub and on raised platforms, with female dealers, also wearing Pussycat Dolls-inspiredT&A clothing, operating theblackjack androulette tables in the venue.[103]
Since the Pussycat Dolls were originally a burlesque dance troupe, Scherzinger and Thornton were the only members specifically hired for singing role when the group turned into a pop act in 2003. Ron Fair stated that even though "there were some adequate voices in the original group," Scherzinger and Thornton were needed "to bring the ability."[104] Despite Thornton taking the solelead vocals for their debut performance as a music group at the 2004MTV Asia Awards, Scherzinger eventually assumed the majority of the vocals on the group's recordings. As part of aBehind the Music special on Scherzinger's career,[105] she claimed that she was responsible for singing both lead and background vocals on both of the group's studio albums, with hardly anything sung by her fellow members. Scherzinger, who said that she did not want to get in trouble for her revelations, explained that the other members did not even hear the tracks until they were finished.[106]
Public image and media coverage
Nicole Scherzinger as lead singer
Critics have taken a major swipe at the group for their overemphasis of Scherzinger. Margeaux Watson ofEntertainment Weekly 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 multi-platinumPCD finds lead Doll Nicole Scherzinger in the spotlight, and she's noBeyoncé. As for the others, well... can you name them? Do you even know how many there are?"[107]The Telegraph's Adam White described the Pussycat Dolls as "pop's most embittered group" where the other members played the role of "glorified back-up dancers", and said that their 2006 performance at theAmerican Music Awards "appeared to prove all was not well within the group's dynamic."[2]
Kaya Jones, who initially auditioned as a vocalist for the group, said: "Nicole was always someone who wanted to be in the spotlight and would do pretty much anything to get it. [...] To call the other girls in the Pussycat Dolls 'window dressings' is a bit farfetched... every girl in the group was talented."[108] In a 2014 interview withThe Independent, Ashley Roberts claimed that she and her bandmates "were always told it was very much Nicole's project [...] we were the football team, and [Scherzinger] was the quarterback. You know, we weren't allowed to talk in interviews. We weren't even allowed in the studio sometimes."[109] Kimberly Wyatt said in 2009: "Every video and stage performance that we've done, Nicole has been our leader. I wasn't in videos like I wanted and wasn't seen in the way I was hoping, which has been the same for all the other girls too."[2] In an interview withVibe, Thornton said: "For me, it's important for people to know that I do write... I got into the group to sing. That was made very clear to me. But it became more and more apparent what was going on. Roles were being minimised and minimised, and then by the time it got on the [road], it was very much like 'Y'all play your part and this is what it is.' It was tough because you don't want to s--- on your own opportunity."[2]
2019 reunion
The Pussycat Dolls being interviewed bySunrise presentersDavid Koch andNatalie Barr after a performance on the show in Sydney, Australia in March 2020.
Following the group's reformation in 2019, Bachar addressed their prior split, "It wasn't a bitter ending. It was just a time in our lives where we all wanted to go and do our own thing and flourish. I went and had a family. We all stayed in touch." Roberts added, "Nicole is our lead singer and that is the way the band is constructed. We all have our place in the band and we each give something special individually, which fits like a puzzle—that's what makes the Pussycat Dolls." Scherzinger confirmed that she would take centre stage but that this was by mutual agreement, "It feels better than ever now I have evolved as a woman. It is actually the time for me to carry it. It's not even me—we all carry each other. We make each other stronger". Wyatt also confirmed that the other girls do get chances to record vocals, "Ultimately, The Pussycat Dolls has a lead singer and that is Nicole. Whenever I get an opportunity to sing and get in the studio and throw down some vocals, I'm so grateful." Speaking about the scrutiny that the group came under and the media attention, Wyatt said, "We want people to love it and focus on the amazing feat we have done together instead of trying to rip us apart."[110]
Sexual image
Following their performance onThe X Factor: Celebrity in November 2019, the group were accused of over-sexualisation and being raunchy for wearing sheer PVC outfits. Over 400 viewers complained to British broadcast regulatorOfcom.[111] Despite a more muted performance onAnt & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in February 2020 that poked fun at theirX Factor performance and featured some censorship, Ofcom continued to receive complaints, albeit a smaller amount, about the group.[112] Scherzinger spoke out against the media and negative coverage, comparing the group's message to American singer-songwriterLizzo, an advocate for body awareness: "If you have people like Lizzo leading the movement of accepting yourself, and they don't get any criticism, then why are we getting this criticism? When we perform, we perform from a place of passion and power. We're not floundering out there just trying to be cute. We come like warriors out there, and people feel empowered by that."[111] Barchar addressed the criticism of their second performance by saying, "Being on Ant & Dec's show was hysterical; they are so good at what they do, and the way they made light of the whole censorship thing was amazing. It's great that we got to be silly with it and we had a blast." She supported early comments by Scherzinger that the intention and aims of the group's performances were always about empowerment, saying, "Everyone has an opinion on what we do, and while I think the power of a woman can be intimidating, it's all about the intention of our performances".[112]
Wyatt has also defended the group's image by saying that it is an important message around female empowerment. During an appearance onThe Morning Show, Wyatt talked about bringing her children to rehearsals: "[I love] teaching them what it means to be a Pussycat Doll and own your space as a female. I think it's a really positive and important message for my girls to see and understand what that means."[113] Wyatt also stated during an interview with News.com.au that the reunion feels like unfinished business due to the Pussycat Dolls being misunderstood: "Luckily we have a presence online now and we can help people understand us, understand dance, understand what intention means as a performer ... there is still a conversation to be had, and the Pussycat Dolls are a little bit misunderstood by those who don’t seek to know who we are."[114] This has also been echoed by Scherzinger who has since said, "We just want to say everything we do, we do it from a place of confidence ... only with the intention of inspiring and empowering each and every one of you ... And we just want to help some of you who are maybe struggling with stepping into your own power."[115]
Referring to their provocative image, Sutta toldThe Daily Telegraph Australia that she felt thatageism is rife within the music industry but that times were changing: "You've got J-Lo at 50 who's looking as fabulous as ever, and Lizzo who is all about self-love and owning it. It's a new era, and there's no rules anymore." Scherzinger also noted that the group had matured and felt more confident than ever: "I mean, if there is a time to be more provocative, it's when you're grown up, when you're comfortable in your skin and you fully accept yourself, right?" In a piece titled "If You Don't Like The Pussycat Dolls or Lizzo, You Can Always Look Away" forThe Guardian, Barbara Ellen discussed the interplay of ageism,sexism, andsizeism that female musicians face in the industry, comparing the negative media attention that the Pussycat Dolls received to that which was received by Lizzo for appearing in underwear onTikTok and byJennifer Lopez for her performance at theSuper Bowl LIV halftime show.[116] Ellen wrote, "What is it about successful female artists doing their thing, on stage or on social media, that drives certain sectors of society crazy? And why is the sexism so often merged with ageism or sizeism, as if that makes the abuse they're meting out extra special and justified?"[116]
Sexist media coverage
Later in March 2020 during an interview withNetwork Ten'sThe Project, Scherzinger acknowledged that the costumes for the performance were provocative but also said, "We are women now and, like literally as we say, (our bums) were hanging out and it takes courage to be that. You know, it is vulnerable wearing as much as that. It takes a lot of courage to do it and we always do everything with confidence, with the intent of empowering others and all of our women out there and anyone who feels they relate to us".[117]News AU andJunkee both criticised hosts ofThe Project for focusing on a perceived sexual nature of their dance moves and for making the interview with Scherzinger awkward.[118][117] One ofThe Project's hosts,Waleed Aly, askedsexist questions such as whether the girls "fight over who wore the best tube tops and low-rise jeans?".[119] Jared Richards (Junkee) said, "It's a mess, absolutely dismissive of Scherzinger as a person and The Pussycat Dolls as an act... While sex appeal is a big part of The Pussycat Dolls, a group which started as a burlesque performance, there's a right and a wrong way to ask about it."[118] During the closing segment of the interview, Scherzinger was cut off as she said, "If you watch us, we dance with heart, we dance like warriors, we come from a real place of power..." As the music played, Scherzinger could be heard asking if the interview was about to cut to another segment. Viewers of the programme also slammed the hosts for the reductive nature of the interview.[117]Music News reported that hundreds of viewers complained about the segment viaTwitter.[119]
Legal dispute over 2021 comeback
"There's some fighting going on between the creator Robin and Nicole, And so I have no idea what's going to happen but I'm trying to stay optimistic. I feel like we've built such an epic moment of this comeback performance and this comeback tour and all the fans are so excited around the world right along with us."
In September 2021, it was reported that Scherzinger was refusing to take part in the tour and had been subsequently sued byRobin Antin, founder of the Pussycat Dolls. The media reported that Scherzinger had originally agreed to 49% of the tour's earnings but was now refusing to take part unless this rose to 75% and included overall creative control.[120] Documents filed at theLos Angeles Superior Court found that the basis of the agreement was aMemorandum of Understanding in which Scherzinger had committed to 45 shows, under terms that she would receive 32.5% of earnings from the tour; with Sutta, Roberts, Wyatt, and Antin receiving 12.5% and Bachar receiving 5%, reflecting her departure before the release of the group's second album,Doll Domination (2008). The legal dispute arose from Scherzinger wanting to negotiate the share of earnings by PCD Worldwide (a new business venture that would handle future earnings from the group and the brand) from the existing term of 49% to an increased 75% to reflect "opportunities she would have to forego to continue to engage in the partnership with Antin and the band as her reason for demanding a bigger share".[121]
Scherzinger's lawyer released a counter-statement to Antin's claims. In the response were details of an advance of $600,000 fromLive Nation that Antin had received to support the tour and now "won't or can't repay", as well as an accusation of Antin "trading on Nicole's name without her consent" and a public release of the group's financial arrangements for the tour. Scherzinger concluded that the lawsuit was "ludicrous and false" and that, under those circumstances, the tour cannot happen.[122] Scherzinger further responded to the lawsuit with a counter-claim in August 2022 stating that Antin has been trying to orchestrate a comeback for the band as far back as 2017. According to papers filed by Scherzinger, it was on the promise of a comeback that Antin obtained funds from Live Nation and tried unsuccessfully to revive the Pussycat Dolls for a reunion with American singerPia Mia as the group's lead. Mia was allegedly paid $100,000 for the arrangement which never came to fruition.[123] Scherzinger and Antin reached an agreement for the group's 2019 tour which was subsequently delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Scherzinger's position stated that the original 2019 agreement had lapsed and a new venture agreement was needed to proceed with the tour. Additional requested agreement terms included compensation, appropriate shares, and control over the group to recognise Scherzinger's personal and financial commitments to the reunion.[123] According to Scherzinger, the Pussycat Dolls' promotional appearances onThe X Factor: Celebrity and subsequent Australian performances had been financed and sourced by Scherzinger. The case against Antin alleges that Scherzinger's likeness was used to promote a tour for which there was no agreement in place and that Antin has appropriated funds from the Live Nation advance for activities that were not related to Pussycat Dolls business. These claims have been refuted by Antin's lawyers and will be subject to further litigation.[123] In November 2024, the dispute was settled without further details being disclosed, although Scherzinger did go on to confirm she would be open to another reunion.[124]
Solo careers
After the group's initial disbandment in 2010, all members continued on their solo projects.Carmit Bachar would join musician Sammy Jay to become electronic music duo LadyStation, releasing the extended playVoices in 2015. She would later release her first solo single in 2017, "It's Time". In 2010,Kimberly Wyatt joined a musical duo calledHer Majesty & the Wolves and released their debut album on July 11, 2011. That same year, she was featured on theAggro Santos song "Candy" which became a UK top five hit.[125] In June 2011,Melody Thornton announced plans to have her debut studio album released sometime in 2012.[126] On March 15, 2012, she released her first mixtape, "P.O.Y.B.L",[127] which includes five covers and four original songs written by Thornton.[128] On June 3, 2011,Jessica Sutta announced that she had signed toHollywood Records,[129] and her first single, "Show Me", peaked at number one on theHot Dance Club Songs in the United States.[130] However, her planned debut studio albumSutta Pop was shelved and she later left the label. Using the name J Sutta, she released the mixtapeFeline Resurrection in 2016. Later, she released her debut studio albumI Say Yes on March 3, 2017. On November 7, 2012, it was confirmed thatAshley Roberts would compete in thetwelfth series of the British reality showI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! airing onITV.[131] In January 2013, Roberts became a member of the ice panel for the final two series of British skating showDancing on Ice on ITV.[132] In June 2014, Roberts announced that her debut album, titledButterfly Effect, would be released on September 1, 2014.[133]
Lead memberNicole Scherzinger continued her solo career after putting it on hold to release the group's second and final studio album. In March 2010, it was announced that Scherzinger would be a celebrity contestant on thetenth season ofDancing with the Stars, partnering withDerek Hough,[134] which she won.[135] In March 2011, Scherzinger released her debut studio albumKiller Love and experienced moderate success in certain territories.[136] The album included second single, "Don't Hold Your Breath", which debuted atop theUK Singles Chart.[137] The album's third single, "Right There", was remixed featuring50 Cent and released as the lead single for the U.S. version ofKiller Love.[138] It peaked at number 39 on theBillboard Hot 100[139] and reached the top ten in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, and the United Kingdom.[140] In May 2011, Scherzinger was hired as a judge on thefirst season of theAmerican version ofThe X Factor,[141] alongside Simon Cowell,Paula Abdul, andL.A. Reid.[142] After her stint in the United States, Scherzinger joinedThe X Factor UK for itsninth series as the fourth permanent judge.[143] In May 2013, Scherzinger was confirmed as a returning judge for thetenth series ofThe X Factor UK.[144] In January 2014, it was reported that Scherzinger left Interscope Records and signed a multi-million dollar recording deal withSony Records.[145] Scherzinger's album, titledBig Fat Lie, was released in October 2014.
Legacy
With only two studio albums, the band became the best-selling girl group of the 2000s digital era[146] and fourth of all time.[147] Since the group's formation in 2003, the Pussycat Dolls have sold 55 million records worldwide.VH1 included the Pussycat Dolls one of the 100 Greatest Women in Music in 2012.[148]Billboard also ranked the group as one of the best-selling acts of the 2000–2009 decade.[3] The Pussycat Dolls are one of thebest-selling girl groups of all time. James Montgomery ofMTV commented that the success of the group's debut albumPCD made the group "the heirs to theSpice Girls' bedazzled throne".[149]PCD has sold over 1,246,769 copies in the United Kingdom, making it the best-selling American girl group release there,[150] also becoming one of thebest-selling albums of the 2000–2009 decade.[151] The success of the group's debut album led them to become the most successful girl group in the world since the Spice Girls in the late 1990s.
The Pussycat Dolls have a string of hit singles. "Don't Cha" has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States, making it the best-selling song of all time by a female group there,[152] and 6 million worldwide, becoming one of thebest-selling singles of all time.[153] It was included onVH1's list of Greatest Songs of '00s.[154]The Official Charts Company ranked "Don't Cha" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" at number 5 and 39, respectively, on the list of the most downloaded songs since its launch.[155] The latter created a milestone for theBillboard Hot 100 with abiggest single-week upward movement in the lifetime of the chart at the time in March 2009.[156] "Jai Ho! (You are My Destiny)" and "Don't Cha" are two of the best-selling songs inAustralia and in theUnited Kingdom as of July 2009.[157][failed verification] "Don't Cha" was also featured on VH1'sI Love the 2000s.[158] The music video for "Don't Cha" is noted for being "iconic" among girl groups.[159] Andrew Unterberger ofBillboard said, "It was inevitable that the song and video would become massive, and become massive they did, with the song heating up the Hot 100 chart and the video establishing the group as mainstays on MTV for many subsequent (though not quite as memorable) videos to come."[159] "Buttons" is also regarded as one of the sexiest videos ever by media outletsAOL Music,[160]MuchMusic,[161][162]Fuse,[163] andVH1.[164] With "Buttons" surpassing two million downloads, the Pussycat Dolls became the first all-female group in digital history to have three singles — along with "Don't Cha" and "When I Grow Up" — cross the two-million mark in digital sales.[165]
Spin-offs
A second season ofPussycat Dolls Present commenced asPussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious, which tried to find women to become part of a new three-member, all-female groupGirlicious.[166]Interscope Records formed a London-based spin-off group calledParadiso Girls through an open audition. In 2010, they were dropped and further promotion of their planned debut albumCrazy Horse was cancelled, dissolving the group.[167] Throughout 2011 and 2012 Antin spoke of casting new members for the Pussycat Dolls with various names mentioned. In February 2013, Antin announced that she had scrapped plans for the new line-up of replacement PCD members and would instead form a new group who will be the "next generation".[168] They eventually became known asG.R.L. and released their debut single "Vacation" on June 16 as aB-side track to pop singerBritney Spears' single "Ooh La La".[169]
^Jeckell, Barry (September 1, 2005)."Mariah Matches Hot 100 Milestone".Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. RetrievedDecember 14, 2010.
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