Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger (born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente; June 29, 1978), professionally known as as Nicole Scherzinger ( /niˈkoʊl ˈʃɜrzɪŋər/ ni-KOHL SHUR-zing-ər), is an American recording artist, television personality and actress. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Scherzinger studied at Youth Performing Arts School, where she was first exposed to performing. Scherzinger rose to fame when she won a reality television singing competition with girl group Eden's Crush in Spring 2001, but departed the same year and became the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls—one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

During the hiatus of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger released several promo singles —"Whatever U Like" and "Baby Love" — a top-twenty hit internationally that failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, which forced Scherzinger to shelve an entire solo project. After the disbandment of the group, Scherzinger released her debut solo album, Killer Love, in 2011, which spawned a number of hit singles — "Poison", "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Right There" — and became one of the most successful albums of that year. "Don't Hold Your Breath" also charted at number one in the United Kingdom and became one of the best selling singles in the UK of 2011. Scherzinger has also featured on hit singles including —"Come to Me", "Scream", "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and "Heartbeat".

Apart from Scherzinger's work in music, she has also ventured into acting, modelling, musical theatre and reality television. Scherzinger took part in The Phantom of the Opera and received critical acclaim. Scherzinger went into reality television when she gained a judging role on singing competition, The Sing-Off in 2009, where she judged the show for two seasons before leaving to become a judge on The X Factor US in 2011, where she stayed for one season before leaving and joining the The X Factor in 2012, where she is currently a judge. Scherzinger's work with the Pussycat Dolls has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including two MTV Music Video Awards and three Billboard Music Awards. As of 2012, Scherzinger has sold 50 million records. Billboard ranked the band as one of the most successful musical acts of the 2000s. Rolling Stone has ranked Scherzinger the ninth best dancing musician. As a solo artist, Scherzinger's net worth is currently at $ USD 8 million.