The Pussycat Dolls: Meet the girls behind 'Doll Domination' and 'React'
They started out in the 90s!
Meet Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar and Melody Thornton, better known as The Pussycat Dolls. The group rose to fame after their debut single 'Don't Cha' featuring Busta Rhymes when to Number 1 across the world in 2005, but they actually formed a decade before that.
Here we take a look at who The Pussycat Dolls were, starting as a burlesque group in 1995 and becoming one of the most popular girl groups around after recruiting Nicole Scherzinger in 2003, before eventually splitting again in 2021.
Who are The Pussycat Dolls?
The Pussycat Dolls consisted of Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar, and Nicole Scherzinger. However, over the years they have had a number of different line-ups, most notably the five previously mentioned, with Melody Thornton between 2003 and 2010.
The Pussycat Dolls had their biggest hits as a line-up of six, before Carmit left in 2008, with the five-some continuing making more hits until they split in 2010.
Did The Pussycat Dolls reunite?
Yes, The Pussycat Dolls did reunite! Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar and Nicole Scherzinger, announced they would be back with a tour in 2020 and a new single, 'React'. Unfortunately, due to Coronavirus their tour was then put back to May 2021 and later cancelled.
Speaking about their reunion at the time, Nicole Scherzinger said: "I love all my girls so much and cannot wait to show you what we've got in store for you. 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."
When the girls reunited, their founder Robin Antin said: "I created The Pussycat Dolls back in 1994 and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would become one of the most iconic girl groups of our time.
"I’ve been working on making this reunion happen now for years, so I am very excited that the stars have aligned for THE PCD REUNION! It’s with gratitude to our fans and during this amazing time of female empowerment, to be able to announce the launch of our PCD reunion, celebrating ALL GENDERS, & the brilliant success and talent of the girls that helped influence a movement that was long overdue."
How did The Pussycat Dolls become famous?
Although many people think of The Pussycat Dolls forming in 2003, it was actually back in 1994 that they formed as a burlesque group under the direction of Robin Antin.
They had a very different line-up including actress Christina Applegate, Christina Aguilera and Carmen Electra.
In 2003, The Pussycat Dolls appeared in the film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and in P!NK's music video for 'Trouble'.
However, with a shift towards pop music, the line-up changed again with the group's creator, Robin moving into a management role. Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton and Kaya Jones were recruited for their singing ability, to join a selection of the original line-up.
After a couple more members left, the line-up from 2004 was Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt.
What happened to The Pussycat Dolls' reunion tour?
The Pussycat Dolls announced a reunion tour in late 2019, which was initially postponed due to the Coronavirus, and the band released this statement.
"Following the latest government advice we are very sad to announce that we are postponing our upcoming UK and Ireland tour. We're heartbroken that we will not be able to perform next month, but the safety and health of our fans is of course our No.1 priority. We look forward to seeing you all at the rescheduled dates in October. In the meantime please stay safe and look after yourselves. 💖 Love, The Pussycat Dolls."
However, the tour was later cancelled in January 2022. No plans for any future tours have currently been announced.
Did The Pussycat Dolls perform on The X Factor?
Yes, The Pussycat Dolls did perform on The X Factor in 2019. The girls performed a medley of their songs 'Buttons', 'When I Grow Up', 'Don't Cha', as well as 'React'.
WARNING: THERE ARE SOME SUPER SEXY DANCE MOVES IN THIS VIDEO!
Which are The Pussycat Dolls' most popular songs?
The Pussycat Dolls songs include, 'Don't Cha', 'Stickwitu', 'Beep', 'When I Grow Up' and the remix of the Slumdog Millionaire song, 'Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)'. The Pussycat Dolls have had two studio albums, 'PCD' and 'Doll Domination', as well as six Top 5 singles in the UK.
What is The Pussycat Dolls' most recent song?
The Pussycat Dolls released the song 'React' when they reunited. The girls teased their song at their X Factor performance in 2019, before releasing it in February 2020. The music video for 'React' featured all five members showing off some incredible dance moves.
WATCH: The Pussycat Dolls music video for 'React'
WARNING: THERE ARE SOME SUPER SEXY DANCE MOVES IN THIS VIDEO!
Why did The Pussycat Dolls split up?
The Pussycat Dolls split up in 2010. However, before the group decided to go their separate ways, Carmit Bachar, who was the longest-serving member of the group, left in 2008 to follow a solo career.
In 2010, within days of each other, both Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts left the group, with Kimberley saying: "Ultimately I think that happiness is the most important thing in life and I think that once I started to get to know myself more and more I was like, 'You know, I don’t think that happiness is within this group right now'."
After leaving, Ashley revealed that she had caught the acting bug. In the weeks following Kimberly and Ashley's departure, other members of the group also decided to leave, with lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger even going to pursue her own solo career.
Take a look at some of The Pussycat Dolls' biggest songs:
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Don't Cha' (2005)
Featured on the Pussycat Dolls' debut album 'PCD', 'Don't Cha' was a huge hit around the world, with the line-up of Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt, joined by rapper Busta Rhymes.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Stickwitu'
Continuing with the success of their debut hit, The Pussycat Dolls released 'Stickwitu' later on in 2005, which also went to Number 1 in the UK.
At the time Nicole Scherzinger told MTV: "This video shows much more vulnerability. The video was just a day in the life of the Pussycat Dolls on the road.
"Part of it is (showing) the strength to do what we do (as performers); the other is to show that we have our vulnerabilities in life with trying to hold up relationships while we're on the road."
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Beep' featuring will.i.am
Featuring a sample of 'Evil Woman' by ELO, 'Beep' was the girls' first song of 2006 with Black Eyed Peas rapper will.i.am. Despite not getting to Number 1 in the UK, the song did reach Number 2.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Buttons'
The Pussycat Dolls released another collaboration in 2006, this time with Snoop Dogg. The song was co-written by Nicole Scherzinger and a team of songwriters. The girls performed a medley of this song, along with 'Don't Cha' and 'React' when they appeared on Saturday Night Takeaway in February 2020.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'I Don't Need A Man'
'I Don't Need A Man' was released in 2006 and also featured on the girls' debut album 'PCD'. The song was co-written by Nicole Scherzinger and became their fifth Top 10 single in the UK charts.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Wait A Minute'
Featuring Timberland, 'Wait A Minute' was released in 2006 and the follow-up to 'I Don't Need A Man', it was also the last single to be released from their first album. The music video has now had more than 71 million views since December 2009.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'When I Grow Up'
Fast forward a couple of years and 'When I Grow Up' was another huge hit for The Pussycat Dolls. The song was the first song to be released after Carmit Bachar left the group. 'When I Grow Up' was originally written for Britney Spears, but after being turned down by her label, it was offered to the PCD.
Watch the full video on YouTube
The Pussycat Dolls - 'Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)'
With the release of 'Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)', The Pussycat Dolls had yet another huge hit under their belt. The song was recorded for the re-release of the girls' second album 'Doll Domination'. It was a remake of the original song 'Jai Ho' written for the film Slumdog Millionaire released in 2008.
Watch the full video on YouTube
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The Pussycat Dolls' biggest throwbacks from 'Don't Cha' to 'Jai Ho!'