Pussycat Dolls



{| cellspacing="5" class="infobox vcard" ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background-color: #b0c4de"|Background information ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Also known as ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Origin ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Genres ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Years active ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Labels ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Associated acts ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|Website ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background-color: #b0c4de"|Past members Carmit Bachar Cyia Batten Kasey Campbell Asia Nitollano Kaya Jones Jessica Sutta Kimberly Wyatt Ashley Roberts Melody Thornton Jamie Lee Ruiz Rino Nakasone Razalan Kherington Payne 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.[1] 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.
 * class="nickname" style=""|PCD; The Dolls
 * style=""|Los Angeles, California, U.S.
 * style=""|Pop, R&B, dance-pop
 * style=""|2003–present
 * style=""|A&M, Interscope
 * style=""|Robin Antin
 * style=""|pcdmusic.com
 * colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Nicole Scherzinger
 * colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Nicole Scherzinger

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.[2] {| class="toc tochidden" id="toc"

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1995–2002: Beginnings as a dance troupe
Antin began exploring the idea of a modern burlesque troupe during 1990 with Christina Applegate and Carla Kama.[3] [4] [5] 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,[3] 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,[6] 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.[7]

2003–06: Recording group formation and PCD
During 2003, Scherzinger, a former member of Popstars 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,[8] while the second half of the album contain tributes and covers.[9] Lead and backup vocals are by singer Nicole Scherzinger.[10] 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.[11] Worldwide, PCD has sold nine million copies.[12] Their first single, "Don't Cha" was a success, reaching number one in multiple countries including United Kingdom,[13] Australia[14] and Canada[14] and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-uscharthistory_14-0">[15] The song was originally sung by Tori Alamaze and featured rapper Busta Rhymes.

The ballad "Stickwitu" was another top five in the United States,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-uscharthistory_14-1">[15] and was their second number one in the United Kingdom.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ukcharthistory_12-1">[13] It was later nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15">[16] "Beep", featuring will.i.am, was less successful but did reach number one in Belgium and New Zealand.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16">[17] "Buttons" (with rapper Snoop Dogg) scored number three on the UK Singles Chart<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ukcharthistory_12-2">[13] and in the United States.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-uscharthistory_14-2">[15] Their next single, "I Don't Need a Man" was not as successful, although it scored the top 10 in Australia,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-idnam_17-0">[18] Ireland,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-idnam_17-1">[18] New Zealand<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-idnam_17-2">[18] and United Kingdom.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ukcharthistory_12-3">[13] The group's sixth single from the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland, becoming the groups top 40 success in the United States.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-uscharthistory_14-3">[15] The group was selected to perform for the introduction for ABC's coverage of the NBA.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18">[19] The Pussycat Dolls first opened for The Black Eyed Peas Honda Civic Tour in North America.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19">[20] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20">[21] In November 2006, the Pussycat Dolls embarked their PCD World Tour with Rihanna as the opening act in the UK leg.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21">[22] 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,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22">[23] 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.

2007–08: The Pussycat Dolls Present
In April 2006, The New York Times 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23">[24] 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".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[25]

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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[26] On March 8, 2008, Bachar announced she was departing the group for other projects.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26">[27] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[28] The group performed for the first time after their break and as a quintet for US troops in Kuwait for Operation Myspace.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[29]

2008–10: Doll Domination and third line-up
On May 27, 2008, the Pussycat Dolls released "When I Grow Up", 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[30] Lady Gaga opened for them in Europe and Australia,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[31] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31">[32] while Ne-Yo supported the Pussycat Dolls in the UK leg.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32">[33] In mid-2009 they opened for Britney Spears' tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears on the first leg in North America.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33">[34] The Pussycat Dolls opening at The Circus Starring Britney SpearsIn April 2009 Scherzinger confirmed to Billboard that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34">[35] In Europe, the album was re-released with four new songs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35">[36] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-capitaldd_36-0">[37] 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")<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-capitaldd_36-1">[37] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37">[38]

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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-dollsleave_38-0">[39] 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!"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[40] 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!"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-dollsleave_38-1">[39] Wyatt would later go on to confirm that all of the members had left the group, including Thornton.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40">[41] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Toronto_Sun_41-0">[42] On September 16, 2011, it was revealed that the new line-up will be formed on a reality series, which will see Kim Kardashian and Nigel Lythgoe as executive producers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42">[43]

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. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-perezhilton1_0-1">[1] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43">[44] 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. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44">[45]

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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45">[46]

Other work
In 2007, Interscope formed a London-based spin-off group called Paradiso Girls 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46">[47] They also appeared in character form in the computer game Asphalt: Urban GT 2 in November 2006.

Merchandise
In a merchandising agreement with Interscope in 2006, toy manufacturer Hasbro had plans for a line of dolls modelled after the Pussycat Dolls, and reportedly marketed at six to nine-year-olds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47">[48] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48">[49] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49">[50] They also negotiated a deal with Estée Lauder for a Pussycat Dolls line of cosmetics under the Stila brand.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-50">[51] A second edition will feature Rin Okinawa, Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Jamie Lee Ruiz and Michelle Maniscalco.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-51">[52]

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".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-52">[53] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-53">[54] 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-54">[55]

Controversies
In 2006, the group ran into trouble in Kuala Lumpur 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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-55">[56]

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?"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-56">[57]

Members

 * Robin Antin, Founder

Dance troupe

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