Nicole Scherzinger - Legacy

Legacy

In October 2012, Scherzinger confessed of doing 95% of the work in the Pussycat Dolls—therefore, taking credit for the group's success that launched them into a global phenomenon. Scherzinger led the group to become the best selling girl group of the 2000s and 21st century. Her work with the group has also earned her numerous awards and accolades, including three Billboard Music Awards and two MTV Music Video Awards—the most nominations of the 2008 show that night in any category. Besides attaining twelve number one singles worldwide, Scherzinger has had six number one singles on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart—making the Pussycat Dolls the first girl group to achieve this feat. In February 2012, the Pussycat Dolls were ranked within the Top 100 on VH1's "Greatest Woman in Music". In December 2009, Billboard ranked the band as the 80th most successful musical act of the 2000s—also became the first all-female group in digital history to have three or more singles pass the 2 million mark in digital sales. Worldwide, "Don't Cha" has sold more than 6 million copies, making it one of the best selling singles of all time. The group were also a success in the UK. "Don't Cha" was one of the best selling songs of the 2000s. The group's debut album, PCD, was also included in the list of best selling albums of the 2000s with sales over 1,246,769 as of 2009. The album is still one the best selling albums by a girl group, having sold over 9 million copies and has been certified gold or platinum in more than thirty-six countries. On September 29, 2011, "Don't Cha", was included in VH1's "Greatest Songs of 2000s". All of her studio albums released have peaked within the top five on the Billboard 200 and top ten on the UK Albums Chart. Most of her singles have charted within the Billboard Hot 100 and all on the UK Singles Chart. Scherzinger has achieved platinum-status certifications for her albums in 18 countries and multi-platinum in 7. "Don't Cha" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" strongly defines Scherzinger to most people as it contributed to her breakout as a global superstar. She is considered a Princess of Pop.

As of 2012, Nicole Scherzinger has sold 50 million records. In the US, Scherzinger has sold 11.5 million records as of October 2012. Scherzinger has also become one of the best-selling international artists in the UK, selling 6.5 million records as a solo artist. Rolling Stone has ranked Scherzinger the ninth best dancing musician of all time. She is also considered a "dance veteran". Scherzinger is also one of many members from a girl group that has gone onto a successful solo career and achieve a number one single on a national chart. On March 26, 2011, Scherzinger became the first artist to defeat Adele's consecutive undefeated reign at number one on the UK Charts with "Don't Hold Your Breath". Scherzinger became the first person to appear on three or more judging shows within yearly distance—The Sing Off, The X Factor US and The X Factor UK. She also made X Factor history as the first X Factor judge to have worked on the US and UK shows. Scherzinger, who is a professionally trained dancer, specializing in hula dancing and burlesque, is well known for her upbeat pop songs and multi-influenced dancing abilities. In 2010, Scherzinger was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. She received most of the highest scores during competition and was declared the season ten winner on May 25, 2010. Scherzinger is well known for her music videos, which often incorporate themes and dance breaks. Critics generally favor Scherzinger's intricate choreography. She is considered a sex symbol through her music videos and image. Scherzinger was ranked 18th on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" and 19th on Complex's "Hottest Woman of the Complex Decade" lists. Scherzinger was ranked number one of Complex's "Hottest Singing Competition Winners Worldwide".

It's crazy how the whole thing came about, I'm a writer, and I've been fortunate enough to write for the Dolls, but when they asked me to look at the movie and do my own version, I was really afraid to take on the task of rewriting the lyrics, because I thought the movie was so profound, I didn't know how to make sure I kept the integrity of the movie and the love story, but also make it cool enough for the Pussycat Dolls and for people all over the world to connect to —Scherzinger described the process of writing "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)"

In 2008, A. R. Rahman composed a song, "Jai Ho", for the film Slumdog Millionaire. In 2009 Ron Fair and Jimmy Iovine wanted to make "Jai Ho" a pop record keeping the original melody. After contacting A. R. Rahman, they asked Scherzinger, to re-write and make her own version of the song. On an interview in DesiHits, Nicole revealed that she didn't want to cover "Jai Ho" saying that, " I was scared to death to touch it afraid for people to hear it before I even wrote it." She later explained on MTV they process of writing. After its release, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" became a commercial success all over the world topping the charts in seventeen countries. Videos were posted on YouTube of people covering and remixing the song, as well as doing the "Jai Ho" dance featured in the film and music video. Scherzinger's version of "Jai Ho" received universally favorable reviews from music critics, citing it as the best song on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Newsround praised the song by saying " sounds right at home – making the most of her soulful R&B voice and hitting all the (incredibly) high notes on this Eastern-themed piece of pop!" Bill Lamb from About.com gave the song 4.5 out of five stars. "The addition of the Pussycat Dolls to the song may have seemed a questional decision at first glance, but it is this move that is likely to get the joyful explosion on to pop radio playlists. "Jai Ho!" abundantly deserves its place, and the vocals of head Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger will have pop fans singing as well as dancing along. Look for this song to set up a long residency scaling pop charts around the world." This version of the song was sung by various voice actors of English children's shows during the 2009 Children in Need Promotional dance video. It was also sung in The Official BBC Children in Need Medley.

Travis Payne has studied Scherzinger since she won Popstars in 2001 and stated: "I remember when I found her, and I was very insistent in her continuing on in the process through the auditions. "She always thanks me for that, but I saw in her that she was a star and she just needed to be discovered. I met her in Chicago. She was in college and she had pigtails and glasses - not at all the vixen that we've come to know now! "I think she's immensely talented and she's had enough experience that she can mentor others." Payne also choreographed the debut music video for Scherzinger, and re-teamed with Scherzinger to provide the artistic direction for her critically acclaimed performances on both the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and So You Think You Can Dance. R&B musician Ne-Yo recalled: "The thing I love about Nicole is what you see is what you get. She is very genuine and very sweet but at the same time she knows what she’s looking for and she’s not afraid to say so." Paula Walker stated that she "has an incredible talent and ability to communicate a wealth of emotion and range with a subtle movement. She can command space, even one as dramatic as the palace," comments Walker. "Her incredible beauty is equal parts femininity and strength, perfect for the spot. We all loved working with her." Marcus Collins commented that Scherzinger's "comments as a musician are really something to take note of. It was her that actually pieced One Direction together, was it not? So she knows what she’s talking about. "She’s a really clever business woman and a fantastic performer so it’s always great to get feedback from somebody who actually does the job themselves, there’s no one better." Mark Sidaway stated: "Nicole is an international artist, so she knows what it takes to make it on the worldwide stage. She has worked hard to get where she is." Amelia Lily recalled: "She’s been in the industry for God knows how many years. "She put One Direction together! She also did the American X Factor. I also think it’s nice to change the judging panel to keep it fresh and keep it new."