Pussycat Dolls

Information about Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls (sometimes abbreviated to PCD) is an American pop girl group and dance ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin. The group was originated during 1995 (17 years ago) as a burlesque troupe based in Los Angeles, California. After attracting national attention, Antin eventually negotiated a record deal with A&M Records and Interscope Records in 2003 (9 years ago), and the troupe was transformed into a music group. Following further personnel changes, by 2005 (7 years ago) the group was composed of lead singer Nicole Scherzinger alongside Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt and Carmit Bachar. Subsequently the group also diversified into reality TV programs, a Las Vegas act, merchandising and other ventures overseen by Antin, Interscope, and their partners. 

The Pussycat Dolls achieved worldwide success in 2005 (7 years ago) with their album PCD, which debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200 Chart and produced the successful singles "Don't Cha", "Buttons", and "Stickwitu"; a song that earned the group a Grammy Award nomination. Following the departure of Carmit Bachar in Mar. 2008(4 years ago), the group continued as a quintet and during 2008 (4 years ago) released their second studio album, Doll Domination, which included the successes "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". Throughout their rise to fame, the group has been criticized for its overtly sexual image (wallpaper) and explicit dance routines and for the over-emphasis on lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, who sings nearly all of the group's lead and background vocals. 

Solo careers

Jessica Sutta has appeared on tracks from Paul van Dyk ("White Lies" 2007 (5 years ago)) and Dave Audé ("Make It Last" 2007 (5 years ago)). "White Lies" reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart in Aug. 2007 (5 years ago), becoming Paul van Dyk's highest charting single. "Make It Last" reached number one on Billboard magazine 's Hot Dance Club Play charts for sep. 22, 2007 (5 years ago). These singles currently make hers the most successful 'solo' work of any of the Pussycat Dolls, next to Scherzinger's appearance on Diddy's hit single "Come to Me". 
From 2005-2007, Nicole Scherzinger prepared her debut solo album Her Name Is Nicole, between Jul. and dec. 2007 (5 years ago) she released four solo singles. Each of these failed to score on the U.S. charts, but "Baby Love" scored well in Europe and Brazil. Scherzinger has also appeared as a guest vocalist on other artists' recordings, some of which scored well (see Nicole Scherzinger discography). However in Apr. 2009 (3 years ago) it was finally confirmed that the project was cancelled and Scherzinger was negotiating to give her solo album another attempt. She will be working with previous collaborators Timbaland and Will.i.am as well as with new associates A.R. Rahman and Lady Gaga. 
During 2007 (5 years ago), Melody Thornton appeared on rapper Jibbs third single "Go Too Far". She told Billboard magazine that she hoped that the group will provide all of the dolls with platforms to do other things. 
Ashley Roberts had a supporting role in the dance drama movie Make It Happen which was released in 2008 (4 years ago). 
Kimberly Wyatt appeared on the VH1 reality TV show Celebracadabra 
On Mar. 28, 2008 (4 years ago), Carmit Bachar talked to E! about her solo album planned for release in autumn of 2009 (3 years ago). Since leaving the dolls she has continued her activities with the live cabaret show The Zodiac Show. 

As burlesque group

Robin Antin (founder and choreographer, 1995-2005) 
Christina Applegate (founding member, 1995-2002) (promoted the group's appearances for Maxim) 
Linh Le (founding member, 1995 (17 years ago)) 
Joie Shettler (founding member, 1995 (17 years ago)) 
Carla Kama (founding member, 1995 (17 years ago)) 
Bethany Chester (founding member, 1995 (17 years ago)) 
Lindsley Allen (founding member, 1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Etty Lau Farrell (1995-1997) (left the group to join the band Jane's Addiction as lead dancer) 
Carmit Bachar (1995-2003) (able to make it on the music group) 
Cyia Batten (1995-2003) (able to make it on the music group) 
Kasey Campbell (1995-2003) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) (able to make it on the music group) 
Kiva Dawson (1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Erica Gudis (1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Antonietta Macri (1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Erica Breckels (1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Katie Bergold (1995-2001) (featured in Jun. 1999 (13 years ago) Playboy pictorial) 
Staci Flood (1995-2003) (rumored to have made it on the music group but refused to join after founding the "Bombshell Babies" with Carmen Electra and Nadine Ellis) 
Gwen Stefani (2000, 12 years ago) (became the first celebrity guest Doll whose performances with the group gained them much fame and popularity) 
Carmen Electra (2001-2003) (lead vocalist in most performances during late burlesque period) (vocals in the Dolls' early recorded versions of "Fever" and "Hey Big Spender" ) (cameos in "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" music video) 
Christina Aguilera (2002, 10 years ago) (became a guest Doll and promoted the group's appearances for Maxim) 
Nadine Ellis (2001-2003) (founded burlesque group "Bombshell Babies" with Carmen Electra and Staci Flood) 
Rachel Sterling (2001-2002) (joined the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls troupe in 2005 (7 years ago)) 
Andre Carra (2001-2002) 
Erika Le (2001-2002) 
Chelsea Rafanan (2001-2002) 
Rebecca Pickering (2001-2002) 
Carmit Bachar (2003-2008) (also in Burlesque period) (left for a solo career) 
Cyia Batten (2003-2005) (also in Burlesque period) (appears in "Sway" music video) 
Kasey Campbell (2003-2005) (also in Burlesque period) (appears in "Sway" music video) 
Staci Flood (2003, 9 years ago) (also in Burlesque period) (cameos in "Dont' Cha" music video as the black-haired seventh member dancing with the Dolls) 
Kaya Jones (2003-2004) (joined along with Nicole and Melody) (vocals in "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" & "Sway" on PCD.) (appears in "Sway" music video as a main member with Melody and Carmit) (left before the PCD album was launched) 
Asia Nitollano (2007, 5 years ago) (performed twice with the Dolls on the Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll finale and The CW 2007 (5 years ago) Upfront Party. The Dolls were supposed to cover the song "Lady Marmalade" to officially welcome Asia to the group as a new vocalist but it is not publically known if she left for a solo career before doing the recordings or was dismissed from the group) 

History

Burlesque troupe: 1995-2003

Robin Antin began exploring the idea of a modern burlesque troupe during 1990 (22 years ago) with her friend Christina Applegate. The dance troupe's first performance was in 1995 (17 years ago). During this period, they performed with numerous guest vocalists, with a repertoire of 1950 (62 years ago) and 1960 (52 years ago) 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 (17 years ago) to 2001 (11 years ago). The troupe received wider press coverage during Jun. 1999 (13 years ago), when Playboy featured a Pussycat Dollspictorial, featuring at least seven contemporary members. Three years later, the Dolls moved to The Roxy. The group became internationally popular and was featured in magazines, TV specials for MTV and VH1, ad campaigns, and movies. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2003 (9 years ago) movie Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, 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 shoot in 2002 (10 years ago), which increased public interest in them. Following this wider popularity, and with the involvement of music producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair, the Pussycat Dolls were transformed 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 Carmit Bachar, Cyia Batten, Kasey Campbell, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt. The main vocalists of the current recording group, lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and soprano Melody Thornton, were cast later in 2003 (9 years ago) to complete the transition into a popular music group. Electra, when asked about her lack of involvement with the group's evolution into a popular music group, 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." She later made a cameo appearance in the music video for "Don't Cha". During late 2003 (9 years ago), Electra formed another burlesque troupe called The Bombshell Babies, which included ex-Dolls Staci Flood and Nadine Ellis, and later adding ex-Doll Kasey Campbell. 

Lounge act: 2005–present

In parallel with Pussycat Dolls as a recording act, during Apr. 2005 (7 years ago) a resident live show commenced at the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge" adjacent to Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. This show contains "cast members" who continue the burlesque-style show which began in Los Angeles during 1995 (17 years ago). 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, Amanda Nowak, Colby, and Alicia Former dolls include Mallory, Jen, Loreli, Victoria, Rosa, Marcea, Rita, Jessica Lea, Rachel Sterling, Laura Diane, Laurel,, Cindy, Ashley Gates, Bridgy, and Jamie Ruiz from Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious among others. The venue is operated by Pure Management Group. Robin Antin has some involvement, but it is unclear whether Interscope also has a financial interest. The Pussycat Dolls recording group have made occasional appearances. During Feb. 2007 (5 years ago), Caesars Palace opened the Pussycat Dolls Casino across from 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 Nov. 2008 (4 years ago) for regular Friday and Saturday nights performances billed as the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge". The shows feature former reality series performers Chelsea Korka and Jamie Ruiz. On Tuesday, May 19 in Livermore, California, the Pussycat Dolls performed a 3 song acoustic set for RJ Delo Santos at Campo De Bocci. This was the first of many concerts for RJ who is dying from a brain tumor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Categories: celebrity, GIRLS