Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger (also known as Nicole Kea) (born June 29, 1978), is an American singer, dancer, songwriter, music producer and occasional actress best known for her work as the lead vocalist for the Pussycat Dolls.

Scherzinger was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Filipino father and a Hawaiian/Russian mother. Her mother, Rosemary, separated from her father and then moved to Louisville, Kentucky with her German-American stepfather Gary Scherzinger, and sister Ke'ala. She has described her upbringing as "conservative Catholic". Nicole attended Meyzeek Middle School. Then she began her life as a performer in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville. Scherzinger majored in theater arts at Wright State University, but put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band Days of the New.

Scherzinger worked on her debut album from 2005-2007 with record producers including will.i.am, Timbaland, Kara DioGuardi, and Bryan-Michael Cox. Scherzinger announced in a March 17, 2007 interview in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that the album would be called Her Name is Nicole; It is due for release November 20, 2007. The first single, "Whatever U Like", featuring rapper T.I., was released in July 2007. The song, produced by Polow Da Don, was a commercial flop however, and it was soon announced that "Baby Love" (released September 2007) would replace "Whatever U Like" as the "lead single" from the album. Media reports commented on the fact that both Interscope's and Scherzinger's official websites started in September 2007 to refer to "Baby Love" as her first single. Her solo album will be coming out on October 20, 2007.