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Type | Public (LSE: HMV) |
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Industry | Retail |
Founded | London, England (20 July 1921 )[1] |
Headquarters | Maidenhead, Berkshire, United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 273 stores in 4 countries (2011)[2] |
Area served | United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore |
Key people | Philip Rowley (Chairman) Simon Fox (CEO) |
Products | Books Video games Film Games Magazines Music Fashion Technology Merchandise Cinema Live Venues Ticketing Artist management |
Revenue | £1,956.7 million (2009)[3] |
Operating income | £70.3 million (2009)[3] |
Net income | £44.2 million (2009)[3] |
Employees | 13,801 (2009)[3] |
Subsidiaries | Fopp MAMA Group 7digital (50% Stake) |
Website | HMV Group, HMV UK, HMV Hong Kong |
HMV is a British global entertainment retail chain and is the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company also operates in Hong Kong and Singapore. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index. Acquisitions by the HMV Group include Waterstone's in 1998 from W H Smith[1] (sold in 2011), the music retailer Fopp in August 2007, and selected Zavvi retail outlets in February 2009.[4]
Simon Fox has been Chief Executive Officer since 28 September 2006. For this role he is paid an annual salary of £873,000.[5] HMV stands for His Master's Voice, a painting created in 1899[6] by Francis Barraud, of the dog Nipper listening to a cylinder phonograph. For advertising purposes this was changed to a wind-up gramophone, and eventually used simply as a silhouette.
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In 1921, the Gramophone Company opened the first HMV shop in London, England;[7] the composer Sir Edward Elgar participated in the opening ceremonies.[8] In March 1931 the Gramophone Company merged with Columbia Graphophone Company to form Electric and Musical Industries Ltd (EMI).
From the 1930s onwards, HMV manufactured radio and television sets under the HMV and Marconiphone brand names in their factory at Hayes Middlesex. The name HMV became synonymous with the highest quality; an HMV radiogram with a Garrard automatic record changer was regarded[by whom?] as the Rolls Royce of radio and carried a correspondingly high price tag. There were to be seen only in the homes of the upper middle class such as doctors and solicitors[citation needed]. They were also popular as a retirement present for long serving company executives[citation needed].
In 1966, HMV began expanding its retail operations in London. Throughout the 1970s, the company continued to expand, doubling in size, and in six years became the country's leading specialist music retailers. It faced new competition, however, from Virgin Megastores, established in 1976, and Our Price, established in 1972.[8] Subsequently, HMV overtook Our Price in popularity and threatened their existence, having established a chain of newer, larger stores.
Growth continued for a third decade in the 1990s. In 1996, when the company celebrated its 75 year anniversary, there were over 300 HMV Music stores internationally.[8]
In 1998, HMV Media was spun off from EMI, leaving EMI with a 43% stake in HMV Media. The same year, the Company bought the Waterstone's chain of bookshops and merged them with Dillons.[9]
From March 1999 through September 2006, Alan Giles was the CEO.[10][11]
In 2002, the company floated on the London Stock Exchange as HMV Group plc, leaving EMI with only a token holding.[12]
All HMV stores in Germany were closed in 2003.
In 2006, the HMV Group took over the Ottakar's book chain, via Waterstone's, with which it was merged into, in a similar situation to the acquisition of Dillons. This merger tied in to HMV's strategy for growth, as many of the Ottakar's branches were in smaller towns and outposts.
The Christmas period of 2005 was disastrous for the HMV Group, with many product areas falling in sales. As a result, HMV itself became susceptible to a takeover, this time from a private equity firm called Permira. On 7 February 2006, HMV Group received a £762 million conditional takeover bid (based on 190p a share) from Permira, however it was rejected on the basis that it was an insufficient valuation of the company.[13]
On 13 March 2006, HMV released a press statement declining a second offer from the private equity firm, even though it increased the value of the company, HMV felt that their firm was being undervalued and so rejected that offer of takeover as well. By the beginning of March 2006, HMV released a statement that the Permira offer undervalued the medium and long term prospects for the Group,[14] resulting in Permira's withdrawal from the bidding.[15]
HMV began piloting their refreshed loyalty scheme during 2008 under the name "pure hmv".[16] The scheme had previously ceased to operate after being introduced in August 2003.
In 2007, HMV selected CLIC Sargent as its charity partner until 2010.[17]
In the 2008 MCV Industry Excellence Awards, HMV was given the title 'Entertainment Retailer of the Year'.[18]
On 1 September 2008, HMV Group launched Get Closer, a social networking site which allows users to import their own music library and rivals current providers including Napster and the iTunes Store which are both examples of an online music store.[19]
As part of chief executive Simon Fox's plans to turn the retailer into an entertainment group for all seasons, HMV started a joint venture with Curzon Artificial Eye to bring cinemas to HMV and Waterstone's stores across England. The first trial store was in Wimbledon, London. The cinema is located above the shop in a former storage room and has been converted in to three separate screens and a bar. It has its own entrance, so it can be accessed outside store hours, as well as one within the store. The trial was deemed a success and HMV plan to open more, with HMV in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and Waterstone's in Piccadilly, London lined up next.[20]
On 5 January 2011, HMV announced that profits would be at the lower end of analysts' forecasts due to falling sales, resulting in the share price falling by 20%[21] and an announcement of the group's intention to close 40 HMV stores, as well as 20 Waterstone's stores, mainly in towns and cities where the company operates at multiple locations. The first of the store closures began at the end of January 2011.[22]
On 5 February 2011, HMV Ireland announced that its profits fell by almost 90% to €465,000 last year compared to €4.1 million the previous year.[23] It has not yet been confirmed whether some of the 27 stores operating in Ireland will cease trading under the redevelopment strategy currently being undertaken by HMV.
On 29 June 2011, the sale of Waterstone's to A&NN Capital Fund Management for £53 million was completed and was approved by the vast majority of shareholders at an emergency general meeting.[24]
The Competition Commission provisionally cleared HMV Group, through Waterstones, for takeover of the Ottakar's group on 30 March 2006. The Commission stated that the takeover would "not result in a substantial lessening of competition".[25]
Waterstones then announced that it had successfully negotiated a takeover of Ottakar's on 31 May 2006.[26]
All 130 Ottakar's stores were rebranded as Waterstone's prior to Christmas 2006. In March 2007, new Group CEO Simon Fox announced a 10% reduction over three years in the enlarged Waterstone's total store space, comprising mostly dual location shops created by the acquisition of Ottakar's.[27]
In early July 2007, retailers Fopp went into administration, with the closure of 81 stores and 700 staff made redundant. Towards the end of the month, HMV bought the Fopp brand and six of its stores. HMV claimed that the six stores had traded profitably prior to their closure, and that the deal would save around 70 jobs. They later added a seventh Fopp store to its portfolio. They will continue to trade under the Fopp brand. Since, HMV did have ten stores trading under the Fopp Banner, which included the opening two new stores in Exeter and Gower Street, London which did not have a Fopp Store previously. They closed the Fopp Exeter store on 30 January 2011 due to the recent developments surrounding HMV's share price fall. Nine stores are still open under HMV ownership.[28]
On 24 December 2008, Christmas Eve, HMV's rival Zavvi, also an entertainment retailer, entered into administration. On 14 January 2009, a placing announcement by the company revealed that they intend to acquire 14 of Zavvi's stores.[29]
On 18 February 2009, five additional Zavvi stores were purchased by HMV Group, all will be rebranded to HMV outlets. A 6th store has been taken over from Zavvi: this is a store in Exeter's modern Princesshay Development.[30] The acquisitions by HMV were investigated and cleared by the Office of Fair Trading in April 2009.[31]
By selling additional shares, the company will raise money to fund another joint venture with the MAMA Group, to run 11 live music venues, including the Hammersmith Apollo which is set to be renamed to the HMV Apollo. Other venues purchased include The Forum in London's Kentish Town, the Birmingham Institute and Aberdeen's Warehouse. HMV will also use the opportunity to create a tickets division which will have benefits for HMV loyalty card members.
A few months later HMV entered into a joint venture with MAMA Group. The Group had purchased a 50% stake in MAMA Group in January 2009 as part of a deal to introduce the HMV brand to live music venues, including the Hammersmith Apollo.[32] On 23 December 2009, it decided to buy the whole of the MAMA Group in a live music takeover deal worth £46m.
The company operates 379 HMV shops and 313 Waterstone's.(April 2008[33]) HMV shops in the UK and Ireland use the His Master's Voice trademark with Nipper the dog, though its design has been updated. HMV's flagship store in Dublin, Ireland has relegated music to the basement of the store.
On 1 April 2007, HMV Group announced that Gromit, the animated dog of Wallace and Gromit fame, would stand in for Nipper for a three month period, promoting children's DVDs in its UK stores.[34]
In 1994, HMV began operating in Hong Kong. HMV began relocating their store locations to shopping malls that are newly opened. HMV in Hong Kong appeals to the crowd that enjoy organized and free-sampling environment which many other records cannot match. However, the prices on their products especially those without promotion and discount are often higher than many independent record stores. HMV Hong Kong is the second place after UK that launched in-store digital kiosks. It is also the first in Asia.
There are currently five HMV stores in Hong Kong (the fifth is recently opened in Whampoa on 27 July 2011).
HMV Hong Kong once used the same stylized gramophone as HMV Japan; however, HMV Hong Kong's website presently displays the HMV UK & Ireland version of Nipper (without his gramophone), with the same lowercase logo as HMV UK & Ireland.
HMV was the second international music store to set up shop in Singapore, after Tower Records (which later closed down). It currently operates 2 stores in Singapore at 313@Somerset (which replaces one formerly in The Heeren), after closing the other at the CityLink underground mall, with a second one at Marina Square.
It is generally higher priced than other independent shops, and local chains like Gramophone and That CD Shop pose a serious challenge in terms of price competition. HMV, however, is the only store that also sells games, T-shirts, books and audio gear in addition to their music and video collection.
In September 2005, HMV Group decided to sell its 32 Australian stores to focus on the UK, Irish, Canadian and Asian markets. Under the HMV Australia subsidiary, these stores were sold to Brazin Limited, known briefly in the UK as Sanity Music, for AUS$7.3m (£1.7m). The company also operates the Sanity Entertainment and Virgin Entertainment (Virgin at Myer) retail chain in Australia. The horizontal merger was approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in October 2005.[35] The HMV group's agreement with Brazin is to phase out the HMV brand in Australia by 2010. Most HMV stores in Australia have very high overhead costs and most have been closed when their lease ends and the remaining stores converted into Sanity stores, if there is no Sanity store in the area.
HMV's Australian flagship store, located in Pitt Street Mall, Sydney, was shut down on Friday 31 August 2007, when the Mid City Centre shopping centre it was located in, was closed for renovation.
In 1988, HMV Group began operating in Canada. This coincided with the bankruptcy, a few years later, of the Canadian record store retail chain A&A Records. HMV has also been cited as a contributor to the decline and eventual bankruptcy of two other major Canadian chains, Sam the Record Man and Music World (HMV in Canada was created by EMI Music Canada's buyout of the faltering Mister Sound chain in the late 1980s.)
HMV stores in the U.S. and Canada did not have rights to the His Master's Voice trademark; in those countries, that trademark is part of the RCA trademark portfolio owned by Technicolor SA and licensed to others. HMV Canada applied for use of the trademark, but its application was abandoned in 2010.[36] Though the initials "HMV" originally came from the His Master's Voice trademark, HMV was not prevented from using its initials in the U.S. & Canada.
HMV had a handful of stores in the Eastern United States, which in their final years were overseen by HMV's Canadian operations. In the 1990s they had a significant presence in Manhattan.
Poor real estate decisions made in the early 1990s rendered the United States stores uneconomical and HMV gradually extricated itself from leases, with the final store in the United States, having lost £500,000 in 2003 and £1 million in 2004, closed on 3 November 2004.[37]
In contrast, HMV has a strong position in Canada's music market, with 116 stores as of October 2007. For the last two decades, HMV has been awarded "Canadian Music Retailer of the Year".[38]
In 2005, HMV Canada took over a Virgin Megastore in Vancouver, allowing it to own, "Canada’s largest store dedicated to music and DVD".[39]
In June 2010, HMV Canada launched Purehmv, a customer rewards program that offers store discounts and exclusive items across worlds of Music, Film, and Gaming in exchange for points gained in-store.
In recent years, HMV Canada has encountered controversy by removing from sale all music and video recordings made by artists that have made exclusive distribution deals with other retailers for particular limited-edition or early-release titles; artists affected by this move include Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones and KISS.[40]
In June 2011, HMV sold its Canadian stores for £2 million to Hilco UK, a firm specializing in failing retail stores.[41]
On 3 November 2011 it was announced that the iconic flagship store in Downtown Vancouver, would close in January 2012, with no formal date given in a phone interview by President of Canadian operations. It was also noted that a smaller location would open in a different area of Downtown Vancouver at some time in the future, but no further details were disclosed. The same announcement brought forth detailed plans to close the location in Richmond Centre as well. [42]
In July 2007, HMV Japan, which operates 62 shops, was sold to DSM Investment Catorce. The stores and HMV Japan website continue to trade as HMV, but is no longer owned by HMV Group.[43]
Since JVC Kenwood Holdings (thru its JVC and Victor Entertainment subsidiaries) controls the His Master's Voice trademark in Japan, HMV Japan uses as its trademark a stylized gramophone of its own design.[44] As with the former U.S. & Canadian operations, HMV Japan's use of the initials "HMV" has never been challenged.
The first overseas branch of EMI was established in India in 1901. It went on make the first audio recording in India, of singer Gauhar Jan in 1902 and witnessed Indian cinema going talkies in 1931 leading to a boom in film based songs. The Gramophone Company of India was incorporated in 1946, and existed until 1985, when it was taken over by the RPG Group. On 2 November 2000, the company changed its name to Sa Re Ga Ma India Ltd.. Sa Re Ga Ma controls a large repertoire of Indian film and non-film music, spanning a century.[45]
HMV stores stock a range of products from audio, books, Blu-ray discs, CDs, computer software and hardware, DVDs, video games and most recently[when?] have expanded their range of clothing and fashion items through "The Studio" section of their stores.[46]
Rucka Rucka Ali | |
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Origin | West Bloomfield, Michigan |
Genres | Parody, comedy, satire, R&B, comedy hip hop, comedy rock |
Occupations | Rapper, satirist, parodist, singer-songwriter, musician, comedian |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | Pinegrove Records |
Associated acts | MC Serch, DJ Not Nice, Toby Queef |
Website | www.ruckasworld.com |
Rucka Rucka Ali is an American rapper, radio personality, singer, comedian, and satirist most noted for his song parodies on YouTube. He has been labelled one of the most successful artists to come out of YouTube, where he has received over 100 million hits[1] with hits such as "Ching Chang Chong" and "Justin's Beaver". He released several albums, two of which charted in the Billboard Top Comedy Albums. In 2009, he launched his own label, Pinegrove Records.[2]
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Most of Rucka Rucka Ali's music are parodies. His hits include "Ching Chang Chong", a parody of The Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" full of Asian stereotypes and "Justin's Beaver", a parody of B.o.B's "Magic" ridiculing Justin Bieber.[2] Rucka Rucka Ali released several albums, two of which charted in the Billboard Top Comedy Albums, I'm Black, You're White & These Are Clearly Parodies which peaked at No. 6[3] and Probably Racist which peaked at No. 11.[4]
Demi Lovato | |
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Lovato in 2010 |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Demetria Devonne Lovato |
Born | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
August 20, 1992
Genres | Pop, pop rock, R&B, dance |
Occupations | Singer-songwriter, actress, musician, activist, The X Factor USA judge |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels | Hollywood |
Associated acts | Joe Jonas, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus |
Website |
Demi Lovato's signature |
Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato[1] (born August 20, 1992)[2] is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. Her earliest roles included Angela on Barney & Friends, before she became better known for her starring roles in the Camp Rock movies, as Sonny Munroe in the Disney sitcom Sonny with a Chance, and as the star of the 2009 movie Princess Protection Program. She is also involved in philanthropic activities through charity work and various social and environmental causes.[3]
As a solo musical artist, Lovato released her debut album Don't Forget on September 23, 2008. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 selling 89,000 copies in the first week.[4] It has since shipped over 500,000 copies, earning a gold certification in the United States.[5] Lovato released her second album, Here We Go Again, on July 21, 2009.[6] The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 108,000 copies in the first week.[7] Her third studio album, Unbroken, was released on September 20, 2011 and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. She is working on her fourth studio album.
In Fall 2012, Lovato will be a judge on the second season of the American version of The X Factor.[8]
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Lovato was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 20, 1992, and raised in Dallas, Texas.[1] She is the daughter of Dianna Hart de la Garza (born Dianna Lee Smith) and Patrick Martin Lovato.[9] Her ancestry includes Mexican, Irish, Italian, and English.[9][10][11][12] She has an older sister, Dallas Lovato, and a younger half-sister, Madison de la Garza, from her mother's re-marriage.[1] Her mother was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and country music recording artist.[13] Lovato began playing piano at the age of seven.[14] Lovato also began her acting career at the age of seven on the children's television series Barney & Friends as Angela, appearing in seasons seven and eight alongside long time friend Selena Gomez.[15] In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Lovato revealed going through painful experiences with bullying in the seventh grade.[16] According to Lovato, the bullying was so bad that one day, in a fit of frustration and distress, she requested her mom give her a home-schooled education.[17] Lovato earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in April 2009.[18] Lovato also stated in an interview with 20/20 in 2011 that she had had a "really unhealthy relationship with food" since age 8 due to bullying experienced as a child, and self-mutilated her wrists to cope with her emotions and depression since age 11.[19] Lovato later became a spokesperson for anti-bullying organization PACER and appeared on America's Next Top Model[20] and CNN to speak out against bullying.[21] She has described herself as very spiritual rather than very religious and said she believes in God.[22]
In 2006, Lovato guest starred on Prison Break as Danielle Curtin in the episode "First Down." She also appeared in the second season of the television sitcom Just Jordan as Nicole, in the episode "Slippery When Wet." In January 2007, she landed the role of Charlotte Adams on the Disney Channel Original Short Series, As the Bell Rings, which premiered on August 26, 2007. A few of her original songs, including "Shadow", were featured on the show. In the summer of 2007, Lovato auditioned for the Disney Channel television film Camp Rock and the television series Sonny with a Chance in the same day and got both parts.[23] For Camp Rock, she submitted an audition tape and Gary Marsh, Disney's president of entertainment, asked her to sing.[24] She sang Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man", and Hollywood Records senior vice president Bob Cavallo said that their "jaws just dropped".[24] Lovato received the lead role in Camp Rock,[24] and a record deal with Hollywood Records in early 2008.[23] In Camp Rock she played Mitchie Torres, a fourteen-year-old girl with hopes of becoming a singer. The movie premiered on June 20, 2008, in the United States on the Disney Channel with 8.9 million viewers, making Lovato a household name among young viewers.[25] Its Disney Channel Italy premier received 1.14 million viewers on September 2008.[26] Merchandise of the film is sold at Target, Claires, and Limited Too. They include clothing (such as pajamas, T-shirts, and underwear), bags (tote bags, backpacks, etc.), bedding collection, toys, and dolls of the characters. Play Along Toys, so far, has only released dolls of Mitchie and Shane. On May 13, 2008, Disney published Camp Rock: the Junior Novel, by Lucy Ruggles, the novelization of the film. Target retail stores sell "special editions" of the novel, hardcover books that include photos.
Starting in 2009, Lovato appeared as Sonny Munroe in the Disney channel comedy Sonny With a Chance. The show featured Lovato as the newest cast member on the show-within-a-show So Random!. The series debuted on February 8, 2009 in the United States. This is the first Disney Channel Original Series to be shot and aired in high-definition from the beginning; like most of Disney Channel's sitcoms, it is shot on tape, but uses a "filmized" appearance. The second season, some scenes are shot on location. The series is one of three Disney Channel Original Series to feature a show-within-a-show, with the others being The Famous Jett Jackson and Shake It Up. The series officially ended on January 2, 2011. Gary Marsh, president of entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, stated "This series is rooted in one of the core thematic attributes that we stand for, which is following your dreams, there also was the opportunity to do a hybrid show."[27] The show began production on September 15, 2008 and the first season was taped at Stage 11 at NBC Studios in Burbank, California;[27] for the second season, the show's production moved to Hollywood Center Studios in Hollywood, California, where The Suite Life on Deck, Wizards of Waverly Place and Jonas L.A. are also taped. In June 2009 Lovato co-starred in Princess Protection Program as Princess Rosalinda alongside Selena Gomez on the Disney Channel.[28] The made-for-television movie is the third highest rated Disney Channel Original Movie, premiering on the Disney Channel with 9.8 million viewers. Laura Fries of Variety magazine describes the film as being "light as a summer breeze on the Louisiana bayou". Although the film does not stray far from the Disney formula, she praises writer Annie DeYoung for providing young girls a nice message about self-esteem. She says the film should be a hit with the channel's target audience.[29]
In September 2009, production began for Camp Rock's sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The Disney Channel Original Movie premiered on September 3, 2010.[30][31] The film was watched by 7.9 million viewers on its premiere night,[32] about 1 million less viewers than its predecessor. In 2010 it also became the most watched cable television programme that week,[33] as well as the No. 1 movie by number of viewers on 2010's cable television.[32] In its second broadcast on September 4, the film reached 3.7 million viewers.[33] The film also reached 21 million unique viewers over its premiere weekend from September 3 to September 6.[34] In its UK premiere on September 17, 2010 in was watched by 637,000 viewers. The film received generally mixed reviews. The review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 40% of critics gave the film mixed reviews, based on 5 reviews (3 'Rotten' and 2 'Fresh'), with an average score of 6.1/10.[35] The film currently holds an 8.7 rating, earning it a "Great" film rating on TV.com.[36] Lovato appeared as a guest star in an episode of the medical drama series Grey's Anatomy as a teenage patient named Hayley May, whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia.[37] In a review of the episode, EW.com praised her performance, stating, "I still believe that even an unbiased observer would conclude that the Disney princess did a fine job acting it up as a suicidal 16-year-old who was admitted after trying to claw her own eyes out."[38] On April 19, 2011, People.com reported that Demi Lovato would not be returning for the third season of Sonny With a Chance due to her health issues.[39] As a result, the show will be renamed So Random! and focus only on the sketches rather than the behind-the-scenes antics. As a result of Lovato's departure from Sonny with a Chance, the series is the second Disney Channel original series to have its lead actor/actress leave during the series' run (after So Weird), and the fourth Disney Channel series to have a main cast member leave the series during its run (with That's So Raven and Jonas L.A. also included).[40] The third season was then turned into its own new series based on its new format. On leaving the show, Lovato satated "...it's kind of sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended but there couldn't be a better time for me to move on...I don't think going back to Sonny would be healthy for my recovery...Being in front of a camera would make me nervous."[41]
Lovato said in an April 2012 interview with KOKO POP UK that music is currently her "top priority", but that she is "kind of getting the itch to get back into acting, so we'll see what comes next."[42] In an interview with Fabulous Magazine UK, Lovato will not come back to acting until she is fully confident. "I need to be secure in my body before I go back in front of the camera. Anyone in recovery from an eating disorder would find that triggering, and I'm not ready," she says.[43]
Lovato's music career began in 2007, when several of her original songs, including "Shadow", were included on the mini-series As the Bell Rings. In 2008, Lovato signed with Hollywood Records after getting the lead role in the film Camp Rock.[23] She provided vocals on four of the songs featured on the Camp Rock soundtrack, including "We Rock", "Who Will I Be", "Our Time Is Here" and "This Is Me" featuring Joe Jonas.[44] The song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at the top 20 in Australia, Canada and Norway. The soundtrack was released on June 24, 2008. The song peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and topped the US Billboard Top Soundtracks and peaked at the top 10 in Canada, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and Spain. The soundtrack has sold over 1 million copies and was certified Platinum in the United States. Full songs of the album were made available on Camp Rock's official web site for one week, beginning June 10, 2008, and the full soundtrack premiered on Radio Disney on June 14, 2008 during Planet Premiere: Camp Rock. The soundtrack was released in the UK on July 14, 2008.The soundtrack album (both original and two-disc collector's edition) is an enhanced CD which contains a clip of an acoustic version of "This Is Me" when played on the computer with internet access. On November 16, 2008, a karaoke/instrumental version of the Camp Rock soundtrack was released. It is not available on iTunes, but can be purchased in stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, etc. In June and July 2008, Lovato performed at various House of Blues and parks for her Demi Live! Warm Up Tour in preparation for the release of her debut album and the Burnin' Up Tour with the Jonas Brothers. Lovato served as the support act on the Jonas Brothers' Burnin' Up Tour from July through September 2008.
Lovato's debut album, Don't Forget was released on September 23, 2008. The bulk of the album was co-written with the Jonas Brothers, who also produced the album with John Fields. They co-wrote ten songs in a week during the band's headlining Look Me in the Eyes Tour.[45] The album is of the pop-rock genre and is lyrically similar to other teen-pop albums. It peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 89,000 units in its first week of release. It has since sold over 500,000 records in the US.[46] Critics noticed the distinct sound of the Jonas Brothers in the production of the album. Don't Forget spawned two singles. The first single released was "Get Back". It was written by Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, and produced by the Jonas Brothers alongside John Fields. The song features Jack Lawless on drums and John Taylor and the Jonas Brothers on guitars. The initial writing of the song took place when Lovato wanted to write a song about getting back together with an old boyfriend, as opposed to writing mean or heartbroken songs. The was released as the album's lead single on August 12, 2008, by Hollywood Records. Musically, the song is an upbeat pop rock and power pop song with a guitar-driven sound. The song was met with positive reviews from critics and performed average commercially, peaking at number forty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and ninety-three on the Canadian Hot 100. In Australia, the song peaked at number ten on the ARIA Hitseekers chart. The accompanying music video, directed by Philip Andelman, shows Lovato and her band performing the song on top of an abandoned building with Manhattan Bridge in the background. Lovato has performed the song on several occasions, including the opening of the 2008 Disney Channel Games and the The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The second and final single, "La La Land", was released on April 10, 2009 through Hollywood Records. It was written by Lovato and the Jonas Brothers, and produced by the Jonas Brothers alongside John Fields. It is one of six songs on the album co-written by the Jonas Brothers, who also contributed backing vocals and guitars to the track. Lovato said that she wrote the song about being yourself in Hollywood and not letting other people change who you are. Musically, the song is a guitar-driven pop rock song and the lyrics speak of Lovato feeling "out of place" in Hollywood. The song was met with positive reviews from critics. Commercially, the song peaked at number fifty-two on the Billboard Hot 100, and number thirty-five on the UK Singles Chart. The song achieved its highest peak in Ireland, where it reached number thirty on the Irish Singles Chart. It was less successful in Australia and Germany, where it peaked in the lower half of the charts. The accompanying music video was directed by Brendan Malloy and Tim Wheeler, and follows the song's Hollywood theme. It was used to promote Lovato's Disney Channel sitcom Sonny with a Chance, and features guest appearances from her co-stars. Lovato joined Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmently-friendly behavior," and appears in its public service announcements to raise awareness for the cause on the Disney Channel.[47] Lovato, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On," a charity single that served as the theme song for the organization in 2009. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #20.[48][49] Disney's Friends for Change directed all of its proceeds from "Send It On" to environmental charities to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.[48] Lovato and Joe Jonas "Make a Wave" in 2010, the second charity single that currently serves as the theme song for Disney's Friends for Change.
Lovato embarked on the Summer Tour 2009 to promote her second album, Here We Go Again, released in the summer of 2009.[50] The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 108,000 records sold in its first week.[51] The album was more inspired by acoustic music, such as John Mayer's songs, than her debut's pop rock-influenced sound.[52] The album received favorable reviews from critics,[53] Billboard called Lovato "a natural talent who could really take flight after outgrowing Disney."[54] Allmusic ranked Here We Go Again as one of the best pop albums of 2009.[55] The album was preceded by the lead single, "Here We Go Again," which was released on June 23, 2009.[56] It was written by Isaac Hasson, Lindy Robbins and Mher Filian and produced by SuperSpy, for Lovato's second studio album of the same name (2009). It was released as the album's lead single on June 23, 2009, through Hollywood Records. Musically, the song is a power pop song with guitar lines and pop hooks, and the lyrics speak of the protagonist's on-off relationship with a hesitant boyfriend. The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its pop hook and made comparisons with works by Kelly Clarkson. The song peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Lovato's first top 40 hit on the chart as a solo artist.[57] The song also peaked at number 38 in New Zealand and in the lower region of the Canadian Hot 100. The accompanying music video was directed by Brendan Malloy and Tim Wheeler. The album's second and final single, "Remember December," was released on November 17, 2009. It was written by John Fields, Lovato and Anne Preven, and produced by Fields. The song was released as the album's second and final single outside North America on January 18, 2010, through Hollywood Records. The song adapts power pop and synthpop genres and diverges from Lovato's usual pop rock sound. The lyrics describe the protagonist's attempt to remind her boyfriend of the good times of their relationship. Lovato described the song's sound as an example of what she wanted her future music to sound like. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics; the majority of them praised its hook and chorus. Several critics also named it one of the album's standouts. The song underperformed commercially; it only managed to reach #6 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 (number 106 on the Hot 100) and it peaked at number 80 on the UK Singles Chart. Tim Wheeler directed the accompanying music video, which features appearances from Lovato's female co-stars in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Instead of including a love interest in the clip, Lovato chose to give it a theme of female empowerment. Lovato has performed the song numerous times, including on her tour Summer Tour 2009 and The Alan Titchmarsh Show. Lovato's South American Tour[58] was her first international headlining tour. The tour commenced on May 23, 2010, in Santiago, Chile, and concluded on May 28, 2010, in São Paulo, Brazil. She later joined the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert tour as a special guest.[59]
The soundtrack, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, was released on August 10, 2010. She provided vocals on nine of the songs featured on the soundtrack, including "Brand New Day", "Can't Back Down", "It's On", "You're My Favorite Song", "What We Came Here For", "This Is Our Song", "Different Summers", "It's Not Too Late" and "Wouldn't Change a Thing".[60] The song was released on July 31, 2010. The song was released as the soundtrack's fourth single. The song failed to chart in the US Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 10on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[61] The soundtrack peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and topped the US Billboard Top Soundtracks, and peaked at the top 10 in Brazil, Canada, Italy and Spain. The soundtrack has sold over 500,000 copies and was certified Gold in the United States. The tour is actually Jonas Brothers' 2010 World Tour, which special guests are Demi Lovato and the cast of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The Camp Rock 2 Tour is officially called Jonas Brothers 2010 World Tour/Camp Rock 2 Tour.[62] Meaghan Martin was not be on tour due to filming a movie. The tour started on August 7, 2010, two weeks later than planned.
The soundtrack, Sonny with a Chance, was released on It was released on October 5, 2010 from Walt Disney Records. She provided vocals on four of the songs featured on the soundtrack, including "So Far, So Great", "Me, Myself and Time", "What to Do" and "Work of Art". It debuted at no. 163 on the Billboard 200, making it Lovato's lowest debut and peaking soundtrack there.[63] It also debuted at number 3 on the US Kid Albums and at number 8 on the US Top Soundtracks.[63] Two singles were released from the soundtrack. The first single to be released was "So Far, So Great". It was released on June 9, 2009 and is the theme song for the series. It first appeared on the album Disney Channel Playlist, and was later released on Demi Lovato's album Here We Go Again as a bonus track.[64][65] The song is about chasing your dreams. It has also received rotation on Radio Disney. Lovato performed the song in her "Summer Tour 2009". It is the ninth and final track of the soundtrack, written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman and the length of the song is two minutes and fourteen seconds. The second single to be released was "Me, Myself and Time". It was published for the title track of the CD. It was released digitally on August 3, 2010, but was shown worldwide on April 11, 2010, the episode was issued Sonny With a Song in the United States chapter of the series in which Sonny shows her singing career performing the song appears to promote the fashion line of her character. The song managed to peak at number 6 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
Lovato's third studio album, Unbroken, was released on September 20, 2011.[66][67] Lovato began working on the album in July 2010, prior to receiving treatment. She had described it as having a more soulful and R&B inspired sound, citing Keri Hilson and Rihanna as inspirations for the sound.[68] After Lovato's stint in the treatment facility, producer Timbaland expressed interest in working with her.[69] Lovato confirmed in July 2011 that she was working on a duet with the producer. The album was described as more "radio friendly" than her previous albums, as she planned to incorporate dance, hip-hop and R&B styles in it. The song received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, praising Lovato's vocals and growth in musicianship compared to her previous two albums, as well as some of the album's ballad tracks. The first single off the album, "Skyscraper", premiered on July 12, 2011, as a promotional single, before the album released. It was written by Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins and Kerli Kõiv and produced by Gad. The song was inspired by a picture of the apocalypse, in which the world was in ruins, and among collapsed buildings, one skyscraper was still standing. Kerli originally recorded "Skyscraper" and Gad offered it to Lovato, who wanted to record it as she felt that both she and her fans could relate to it. When recording it in 2010, Lovato was very emotional which triggered outbursts and caused her to start crying. Later the same year, she entered a treatment facility to deal with her personal struggles. After finishing it in early 2011, she re-recorded the song, but kept the original recording as she felt that it was "symbolic" to her. "Skyscraper" was released on July 12, 2011 via Hollywood Records as the first single from Unbroken. According to Lovato, the song represents the journey she had been on the previous year. Musically, "Skyscraper" is a ballad and the lyrics speak of staying strong and believing in yourself. The track opens with a lonely piano that is soon accompanied by heavy percussion. Lovato showcases breathy and quivering vocals throughout the song. The song was very well received by music critics and also by the media, with the majority of them praising Lovato's vocals and the inspirational lyrics. Upon its release, it was also met with praise from celebrities on the microblogging site Twitter. The song debuted at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, spending a total of 17 weeks on the chart. The song became Lovato's highest-peaking single on the chart since "This Is Me" peaked at number nine in August 2008. "Skyscraper" sold 176,000 paid digital downloads in its first week of release in the United States, setting a sales record for Lovato. Internationally, the song reached the top twenty in Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. In August 2011, the song was awarded with Summer Song at the Teen Choice Awards. The song was also officially certified Gold in Australia on April 3, 2012.[70] The song has sold over 1,000,000 digital copies and was officially certified Platinum in the United States on April 24, 2012.[71] The song's accompanying music video was directed by Mark Pellington and shot in the Bonneville Salt Flats for twelve hours. Lovato performed the song for the first time at the Do Something Awards on August 18, 2011. The album officially released on September 20, 2011, with sales exceeding 96,000 copies in its first week of release.[72] On October 24, 2011, Lovato performed the National Anthem at Game 5 of the 2011 World Series.[73] The album's second single, "Give Your Heart a Break", was officially released on January 23, 2012.[74][75] The track was written and produced by American songwriters Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg. Musically, it is a dance-pop ballad that comprises instruments like the drums, violin and strings; the latter two, according to music critics, are reminiscent of those used in Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, 2008). Hollywood Records serviced the song to mainstream radios on January 23, 2012 in the United States. Lyrically, the song chronicles the protagonist's attempt to win over her lover who has been hurt in a relationship. The song received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, praising the production as well as Lovato's vocals. The single reached number seventy on the US Billboard Hot 100, and has so far peaked at number 43. It also reached number thirty-nine in Brazil. In Belgium, it peaked at number 32. The music video for the song features Lovato attempting to persuade her lover into falling in love with her again, creating a collage of photographs taken during the video that when put together create a photo of the two in each other's embrace. Lovato has promoted the song through several stage performances, including her performance at the Z100 Jingle Ball concert. Lovato revealed her Summer Tour 2012 and will begin on June 12, 2012 and end on September 1, 2012.
On April 4, 2012, Lovato announced on Twitter that writing for her fourth studio album had began, saying that she was "so excited to start writing for my fourth album", and that "this time, there's NO holding back.."[76][77]
Lovato has partnered with mall proprietor GGP as the face of Shop Til You Rock, a music-inspired series of public events, which kick off at malls around the US in Summer 2010. The combines the season’s hottest fashions & today’s most popular musical guests in a series of interactive events.[78] Lovato is also the spokesperson for anti-bullying organization PACER. Lovato explained to NY Post about becoming a spokesperson against bullying “Bullying is a very serious thing to me, I’ve witnessed it first hand – I was bullied myself when I was 12, I want to be able to help other girls around [my sister’s] age come into their own with a strong confidence in their skin, their size, who they are and everything about themselves.” Lovato is also the spokesperson for the Join the Surge Campaign!, DoSomething.Org and the Clean & Clear Brand launched Joining the Surge, which is a national campaign that empowers teenagers to take action in their communities.[79]
Lovato is involved in Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmently-friendly behavior", and appears in its public service announcements to raise awareness for the cause on the Disney Channel.[47] Lovato, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On", a charity single which serves as the theme song for Disney's Friends for Change in 2009. The song debuted on the Hot 100 at number twenty.[48][49] Disney's Friends For Change will direct all of its proceeds from "Send it On" to environmental charities to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.[48] Lovato and Joe Jonas recorded a new song called "Make a Wave", the second charity single which serves as the theme song for Disney's Friends for Change in 2010. In January 2010,[80] Lovato was one of the many stars featured in a public service announcement for Voto Latino in order to promote the organization's "Be Counted" campaign for the 2010 United States Census.[81] Lovato is also part of the "A Day Made Better" School Advocacy Campaign.[82] "The campaign is giving a deserving teacher with $1,000 in school supplies on behalf of OfficeMax’s “A Day Made Better” school advocacy campaign."[83]
Lovato has also supported charities such as DonateMyDress.org, Kids Wish Network, Love Our Children USA, ST. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and City of Hope.[84] To raise awareness about personal issues similar to her own, Lovato became a Contributing Editor to Seventeen magazine. She will discuss her personal issues as a part of a larger campaign called "Love is Louder than the Pressure to Be Perfect", directed towards teen girls.[85]
In 2012, rumors that Lovato and Miley Cyrus were in talks to be replacement judges on the season two of the American version of The X-Factor, in hopes of luring a younger audience, began circulating.[86] Lovato reportedly signed a deal to judge the show on May 13, 2012.[87] On May 14, 2012, it was officially confirmed that Spears and Lovato would join The X Factor as the two newest judges.[88] When asked about the new judges, Cowell said: "I'm absolutely delighted Britney and Demi are joining us. Britney remains one of the biggest stars in the world, she's talented, fascinating – and I believe she knows exactly how to spot The X factor. Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident, and enthusiastic. I think it’s really important that she speaks to our younger audience. The new panel will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes we are making to the show."[89]
In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Lovato admitted to going through painful experiences with bullying in the seventh grade.[90] According to Lovato, the bullying was so bad that one day, in a fit of frustration and distress, she requested her mom give her a home-schooled education.[91] In an interview with Fabulous Magazine UK, she said that: "They called me a whore and told me I was fat and ugly. I shouldn't have listened, but I took it to heart and it hurt. I thought maybe I didn't have friends because I was too fat," she remembers. So she starved herself, and anything she did eat, she threw up again. Within six months she had lost over 2st and weighed 6st 4lb - unhealthy for her 5ft 2in height. "I'd make myself sick up to six times a day," she says. "My mum was worried, but because I was going through puberty I was having growth spurts so she assumed that was why I was thinner."[43] She wrote the song "For the Love of a Daughter" about her estranged father. According to Fabulous Magazine UK, the song is about the rift between Lovato and her father after he - seemingly keen to cash in on his daughter's notoriety - did a series of interviews about her. The betrayal is still raw, and she says she has no interest in rebuilding a relationship with him.[43] In an MTV interview, Lovato stated that she likes metal music, particularly black metal and metalcore. She called symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir "one of her favorite live acts".[92] On the July 24, 2009 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Lovato stated that three of her favorite bands were metalcore/symphonic black metal band Abigail Williams, deathcore band Job for a Cowboy and southern metal band Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. On another episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, after her release of Unbroken, she stated that she is now more into hip-hop and R & B styles of music, and has moved on from death metal. In the March 2009 issue of Teen Vogue, Lovato stated, "My first passion is music, because it comes naturally to me. Acting has been like a hobby."[93] Lovato is a Christian and prays with her band before they perform.[1] She was best friends with Selena Gomez, whom she has known since Lovato "asked her to sit on my jacket and draw with crayons with me" at the Barney & Friends auditions. On March 12, 2010, Lovato confirmed that she had begun dating Joe Jonas, whom she first met while filming Camp Rock in 2007.[94] On May 24, 2010, Lovato confirmed via her official Twitter that she and Jonas were no longer together. In an interview with UsMagazine, Jonas stated, "Demi and I knew that going into our romantic relationship it may not be an easy one. I realize that over the time we have spent together that I feel I care more about our friendship right now. It was my choice to break up, but I love her as a friend. She's been there for me when I needed her. I will continue to be her friend and be there for her." Lovato is a vegetarian.[95] Lovato has been honored The Honorary Ambassador of Education award from the American Partnership For Eosinophilic Disorders.[96] In 2010, on her 18th birthday, Lovato bought her family a Mediterranean Style house in Los Angeles. She said, "For me to give that to my family on my birthday, that was the best present." then added, "It's got pretty much everything you could possibly imagine in it. It's the most beautiful, homey-feeling house. I love it."[97] Lovato also purchased their current $1.88 million home in Toluca Lake, LA. She bought the house when she was 16 years old.[98]
Lovato has been described as an "inspirational person" and has inspired many people after her going through her treatment facility, her release of her song "Skyscraper", and her release of her documentary, Demi Lovato: Stay Strong.[99] She has inspired many celebrities including Lucy Hale, Katy Perry, Pete Wentz, Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Justice, Cheryl Cole and Britney Spears. [100][101][102]
On October 30, 2010, Lovato dropped out of the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert World Tour 2010 in order to enter a treatment facility to treat physical and emotional issues.[103] The tour was not scheduled to be complete until November 13, 2010. Lovato's publicist stated that "she regrets not being able to finish her tour, but is looking forward to getting back to work in the near future."[104][105] In particular, many media sources immediately reported that Lovato had decided to enter treatment right after punching a Jonas Brothers back-up dancer, Alex Welch, on a flight out of Bogotá, Colombia, allegedly because Lovato believed that Welch had informed tour managers of inappropriate behaviour on Lovato's part the previous night, causing Lovato to be confronted by her managers and her stepfather, Eddie de la Garza.[106] Days after Lovato entered rehab, photos circulated on the internet showing Welch sporting a black eye. Welch subsequently confirmed that the story was true, noting that she had been blindsided by the assault. Although Lovato had pulled aside the tour's back-up dancers prior to the flight and threatened, "If I find out who told on me...", Welch was not concerned because she had not witnessed what had happened the previous night and was not the dancer who had informed on Lovato. Welch claimed that she "didn't get a call or text from Demi or a 'hey, you got a problem with me,' nothing." She said Lovato simply approached her during the flight, punched her, and then "literally walked away and got in her seat." Lovato's representatives responded by saying, "We are in the process of engaging with Alex's lawyer and hope to resolve this as quickly as possible."[107] Lovato's camp reached a financial settlement with Welch in late December 2010, with Welch stating that the agreement stipulated for a portion of the settlement to be donated to charity.[108] On January 28, 2011, it was reported that Lovato had completed her inpatient treatment.[109] She took six months off from the limelight after leaving rehab.[43] The day after the announcement, a Disney spokesperson told People that Disney "support[s] Demi's decision to put her health first and [they] send her [their] best wishes".[110]
On January 28, 2011, it was reported that Lovato had completed her inpatient treatment at the rehab facility and returned home to Los Angeles, where she "will continue to see doctors" to "help her work on the issues she confronted in treatment."[111] On March 8, 2011 an exclusive video was released on Cambio.com in which Lovato thanked her fans for their support during what she described as "the darkest time of my life" and also stated that she was excited to get back to work.[112] Lovato granted her first post-rehab interview to ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, which aired on Good Morning America and 20/20 on April 22, 2011. During the interview, Lovato confirmed reports that her treatment was for bulimia and self-injury, and had taken place at the Timberline Knolls facility in Illinois after the aforementioned confrontation between her and Welch led to an intervention by her family and management team. Her condition came to a head during the tour because Lovato "was performing concerts on an empty stomach...I was losing my voice from purging. I was self-medicating. I was not taking medication for depression, and I literally was so emotionally whacked out that I took it out on someone that meant a lot to me." Later elaborating on this "self-medicating", Lovato said, "I'm not gonna lie. I was self-medicating. I was doing things like drinking and using [drugs], like a lot of teens do to numb their pain."[113] Lovato expressed regret at her actions towards Welch, stating "I take 100 percent, full responsibility..."[114] In another interview, Lovato added that she had "basically had a nervous breakdown",[19] and was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her treatment.[115] As part of her efforts to raise awareness about issues similar to her own, Lovato was announced in April 2011 as a Contributing Editor to Seventeen magazine. She will discuss her personal issues as a part of a larger campaign called "Love is Louder than the Pressure to Be Perfect", directed towards teen girls.[116]
On December 23, 2011, Lovato posted a message on Twitter criticizing her former network for airing episodes of Shake It Up and So Random! which featured characters making jokes about eating disorders.[117][118][119] Disney Channel publicity officials quickly took action and apologized to Lovato, then removed those episodes from the network's airing cycle and video on demand sources, after further criticism in the wake of Lovato's message to the network's public relations account.[120][121][122][123] On March 2012, Lovato released her MTV documentary special called "Stay Strong" about her time in rehab.[124] In the documentary, she opened about her fans, battling her eating disorders and getting back to touring.[125]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2008 | Camp Rock | Mitchie Torres | Disney Channel Original Movie |
2009 | Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience | Herself | Concert film |
2009 | Princess Protection Program | Princess Rosalinda | Disney Channel Original Movie |
2010 | Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam | Mitchie Torres | Disney Channel Original Movie |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002–2003 | Barney & Friends | Angela | Recurring role |
2006 | Prison Break | Danielle Curtin | "First Down" (season 2: episode 4) |
2006 | Split Ends | Herself | 1 episode |
2007–2008 | As the Bell Rings | Charlotte Adams | Main role, Season 1 |
2007 | Just Jordan | Nicole | "Slippery When Wet" (season 2: episode 6) |
2008 | Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream | Herself | (season 2, episode 3) |
2008 | Studio DC: Almost Live | Herself | Second show |
2008 | Disney Channel Games 2008 | Herself | Third annual |
2008 | Disney Channel's Totally New Year 2008 | Herself | Disney Channel special New Year's event |
2009–2011 | Sonny with a Chance | Allison "Sonny" Munroe | Lead role |
2010–2011 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Herself | "The Williams Family" (season 7: episode 23) "The Walker Family" (season 9: episode 9) |
2010 | Grey's Anatomy | Hayley May | "Shiny Happy People" (season 6: episode 22) People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Guest Star |
2010 | CNN | Herself | Guest appearance |
2010 | America's Next Top Model | Herself | (1 episode) Guest appearance |
2011 | Keeping Up with the Kardashians | Herself | "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event, Part 2" (season 6: episode 15) Uncredited (guest at Kim's wedding) |
2012 | Demi Lovato: Stay Strong | Herself | MTV Special |
2012 | Demi Lovato: Give Your Heart a Break | Herself | E! Special |
2012 | Punk'd | Herself | Victim |
2012 | The X Factor[126] | Judge | Musical talent show |
2012 | Born to Be: Demi Lovato | Herself | Released in Canada, released by MuchMusic |
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Nicole Scherzinger | |
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Scherzinger at the The X Factor USA Backstage, December 2011 |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente |
Born | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
June 29, 1978
Genres | Pop/rock, R&B, dance-pop |
Occupations | Singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, model, record producer |
Instruments | Vocals, piano |
Years active | 2001–present |
Labels | Interscope, A&M, Polydor UK |
Associated acts | Eden's Crush, Pussycat Dolls, Days of the New |
Website | nicolescherzingermusic.com |
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger (born June 29, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, model and actress. Scherzinger is well known as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. Previously, Scherzinger was a backing vocalist for the late-1990s rock group Days of the New and was a part of reality TV girl group Eden's Crush. After the disbandment of the group, she joined the Pussycat Dolls and became the group's lead vocalist during their transition into a career in music.
The Pussycat Dolls rose to prominence when they enlisted Scherzinger as their lead front woman of the group. When Scherzinger joined the now multi-platinum group, they became a worldwide phenomenon, releasing two albums, PCD (2008) and Doll Domination (2008) and embarked on several concert tours.[1] With her strong vocal range, Scherzinger scored the group a string of massive hit singles, including the number ones "Don’t Cha" (2005) and "Buttons" (2006), "Stickwitu" (2005), "I Hate This Part" (2008), and "When I Grow Up" (2008), which hit the Top 10 in 16 countries. In 2009, Scherzinger wrote and recorded an adaptation of A.R. Rahman’s "Jai Ho" (from the film "Slumdog Millionaire") which went to number one in 17 countries. Their debut album, PCD, has sold nine million copies worldwide, and their sophomore album, Doll Domination, has sold 5 million copies worldwide to date. The group won three Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and toured with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and The Black Eyed Peas.[2][3] The Dolls have sold 15 million albums, and 37 million singles worldwide, making them one of the best selling girl groups of all time.
After leaving the group in December 2010, Scherzinger began a solo career with the release of her debut studio album Killer Love. The album's second single, "Don't Hold Your Breath" peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking her first number one hit as a solo artist.[4] Scherzinger became the winner of the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars in early 2010. She was a judge on the first season of the US version of The X Factor, which premiered in September 2011.
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Scherzinger was born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente in Honolulu, Hawaii, into a staunchly Roman Catholic family.[5][6] Her father, Alfonso Valiente, is of Filipino descent, and her mother, Rosemary, is mixed Hawaiian and Russian descent, as Nicole's grandmother was Russian while her grandfather is Hawaiian.[7][8][9][10][11] Her mother was eighteen at the time of Scherzinger's birth and lived in an inner city neighborhood.[12] Scherzinger's parents separated when she was still a baby. When she was six years old, her maternal family moved to Louisville, Kentucky,[13] with her sister, Keala, and her German American stepfather, Gary Scherzinger. She took her stepfather's surname after he adopted her.[13]
She first attended Bowen Elementary, and later attended Meyzeek Middle School as an adolescent. Scherzinger states that, growing up, her family did not have a lot of money, and she thanks her mother for all the support she gave her to become what she is today. Scherzinger began performing in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School, and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville.[13] As a teenager, Scherzinger was the first runner-up at the 1996 Kentucky State Fair's Coca-Cola Talent Classic contest.[13]
In 2001 Scherzinger competed in the premiere season of The WB's television show, Popstars, on which she earned a spot in the all-girl pop group Eden's Crush alongside the other four chosen members Ivette Sosa, Maile Misajon, Ana Maria Lombo and Rosanna Tavarez . Eventually, she became one of the main vocalists for the group. The group's 2001 US single, "Get Over Yourself (Goodbye)", peaked at number one in sales and hit the top ten on Billboard Hot 100. At the time Eden's Crush was touring in support of both *NSync and Jessica Simpson.[14] Scherzinger was approached to be the fourth member of The Black Eyed Peas, but was forced to decline because she was a member of Eden's Crush and was under contract. The position was given, instead, to Fergie. Later, however, Eden's Crush' record company, London-Sire Records, folded and the group eventually disbanded.[15] In November 2007 Scherzinger spoke of her time in Eden's Crush:
It was hell... I was in a band with five other girls and every day was torture for me. We were on TV all the time and the atmosphere was awful... Every day I was in that band I cried my eyes out. The band was meant to be fun and frivolous but the reality was that it was miserable... I was too sensitive back then, but I got toughened up. I couldn't have gone into the Dolls without my experience in Crush.[12]
After the disbanding of Eden's Crush, Scherzinger made a few promotional solo appearances under the stage name of Nicole Kea, including covering "Breakfast in Bed" for the soundtrack to 50 First Dates in 2003.[16] Scherzinger later worked with Yoshiki of Japanese rock band X Japan on his Violet UK project. She sang the English version of "I'll Be Your Love" live with the Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra. The track also appeared on the 2003 Various Artists album Exposition of Global Harmony.
In May 2003, Scherzinger joined the Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe, who were being re-cast as recording artists. She had first seen them performing on The Late Show with David Letterman in November 2002, where Carmen Electra sang "Big Spender" from the Bob Fosse musical Sweet Charity. In 2006, Scherzinger said "It caught my eye because I’d played Velma Kelly in [Fosse's] Chicago in college."[17] In one interview she spoke of her role with the Pussycat dolls stating that it was a "challenge fronting the group" but that "every girl has something different to bring and add to the success".[18] The success of PCD brought Scherzinger into the media spotlight and she went on to record a series of duets/guest vocals with a wide array of male vocalists. In 2005, she appeared on recordings by Shaggy, Vittorio Grigolo and Will Smith. In 2006 she sang co-lead vocals with Avant on his single "Lie About Us", and Diddy's hit "Come to Me" (which she also co-wrote). Other appearances are listed in discography. In the biography section of her official website she says that everyone recognises her from the Pussycat Dolls's debut single "Dont Cha" which although amazing does not fulfill her musical desires. When asked what she intended to achieve with her solo career she commented "Some people only have their glasses half full, but there was never a limit to mine."[19] The purpose of the album was to appeal to younger audiences, show them "the heart of Nicole" and show that she is "not always strong and fearless".
Doubt was cast over the future of the album when the Pussycat Dolls released their second album Doll Domination which featured some of the songs which had initially been recorded for Scherzinger's own album. "Happily Never After" and "Who's Gonna Love You" were placed on the album with no changes whilst additional backing vocals were added to "When I Grow Up" before it was released as the album's lead single.[20] In 2010 during an interview with X magazine she also revealed that "I Hate This Part", a song which became a top-ten hit in Europe for the Pussycat Dolls, was also intended for her own solo album.[21] Christopher "Tricky Stewart" and The-Dream were also working with Scherzinger and produced, wrote and recorded at least two songs for the album. Both of the known recordings, "Punch You In Your Sleep" and "I'm a Cheat" were re-allocated to The-Dream's ex-wife Christina Milian who has recorded them for her fourth studio album Elope due in 2010.[22]
Furthermore it was revealed that Keri Hilson (a writer who has been heavily involved in writing for the Pussycat Dolls) had written a song called "Alienated" for Scherzinger, however when the album was delayed and shelved Hilson reclaimed the song and instead recorded the song with producer Cory Bold for her own debut studio album In a Perfect World...[23] Reviews later went on to give the song critical acclaim for its "electro-blips and whispery raps that are alluring."[24][25] In September 2009 it was confirmed that the teary ballad, "Just Say Yes" was reclaimed by Gary Lightbody who has since re-tooled and reworked the song.[26] It was released as the lead single from his band, Snow Patrol's compilation album Up to Now, on November 2, 2009.[27] Addressing the delayed release of her solo album, in September 2008 Scherzinger said, "Despite what other people might write, it was my decision, ultimately. I actually put some of my solo songs on the Pussycat Dolls' new album Doll Domination. Everything is all about timing. I believe it will come out next year, and it will be able to coexist wonderfully with the Dolls' album. It's completely separate from what you've heard with "Baby Love" and "Whatever U Like," and I'm still working on it — that's what happens when you're a perfectionist."[28] She was interviewed by Billboard magazine in April 2009 regarding her own career plans as well as what The Dolls were up to. She said "the current incarnation of the album is just in talks and in the writing process. I haven't started recording yet." She plans to enter the studio again after the Pussycat Dolls have finished their World Domination Tour. Speaking about the project Scherzinger said she will be working again with Will.i.am, Timbaland as well as with new associates Lady Gaga and A.R. Rahman.[29] In April 2008, Scherzinger recorded a cover version of "Rio" by Duran Duran for an advertising campaign for Unilever's Caress brand of body wash. A commercial video was released, and the single was released via download only, after May 2008.[30] In 2008, in support of Barack Obama, she was one of many musicians to contribute to a track by will.i.am called "Yes We Can".[31] Also on September 5, 2008, Scherzinger joined an all-star cast to perform the charity song "Just Stand Up" on live TV.[32] The Pussycat Dolls returned to the Music scene on May 27, 2008 with the new single "When I Grow Up" which reached number nine on the U.S. 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. The follow-up single "Whatcha Think About That" with Missy Elliott failed to enter the U.S. charts but managed to reach top 20 in several other countries including the UK with a limited release.
After a slight delay and with two singles released the album, Doll Domination was finally released as a standard and deluxe edition. The latter featured a disc with a solo song by each of the girls. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 79,000 copies sold in its first week beating their debut album by one chart position but selling 20,000 less copies. It only spent seven weeks in the top 100, compared with their debut album which sat in the top 100 for nearly one year. In January 2009 it re-entered the top 100 following several more successful singles. The album in original form spawned two other singles, worldwide top 20 hit "I Hate This Part" and the number-one club song "Bottle Pop" which only received a limited release in the US and Oceania. On January 2009 they embarked their second world tour called Doll Domination Tour to support Doll Domination.[33] Lady Gaga opened for them in Europe and Australia,[34][35] while Ne-Yo supported the Pussycat Dolls in the UK leg.[36] In mid-2009 they opened for Britney Spears' tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears on the first leg in North America.[37] In April 2009 Scherzinger confirmed to Billboard that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music.[38] In Europe the album was re-released with three or four new songs.[39] In Australia a compilation called Doll Domination 2.0 was released with six songs from the original version plus four new songs whereas the UK received a six-song EP called Doll Domination: The Mini Collection released on April 27, 2009 featuring four of the original songs plus a remix and a new song.[40] In August 2009 the album was repackaged once more, this time 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")[40] 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.[41] In 2009, Billboard ranked the Pussycat Dolls as the 80th most successful musical act of the 2000s.[42] Scherzinger performed "America the Beautiful" at WWE's WrestleMania XXV in Houston, Texas at the Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009.[43] Scherzinger performed with guitarist Slash on October 2 in Las Vegas.[44]
From 2006 until late 2008 Scherzinger had been working on her debut album which was titled Her Name Is Nicole. She recorded/wrote about 75–100 songs for the album which was supposed to be released in 2007 before being pushed to October 16, 2008 and later into 2009 before being shelved.[45][46] She told MTV "I've always said that in the Pussycat Dolls, I kind of feel like Superwoman. But that's just one of my alter egos. I've got the vulnerable, lovesick side of me amongst others which all appear on my record."[47] The album saw Scherzinger work with a wide roster of producers and song writers some of whom had worked with Scherzinger for albums with the Pussycat Dolls. Sean Garrett and Polow da Don worked on "Whatever U Like" (featuring T.I.) which was released as the album's lead single[48] on July 24, 2007 but deemed unsuccessful reaching just 57 in Canada. "Baby Love" was the second single released on September 10, 2007. Although well received and compared to the Pussycat Dolls' song "Stickwitu"[48] the track did not chart well in the United States. Internationally the single fared well reaching Top 15 in most countries including the UK, and mainland Europe. It was remixed to be included on Doll Domination as a bonus track. The third single "Supervillain" was described as having a "danceable jam with a catchy chorus" and featured a reggae–dancehall interlude. Written by Rock City and produced by Mad Scientist it was only released to US iTunes in November 2007. Fourth single "Puakenikeni" (a type of flower in Hawaii) also released to iTunes in November was produced by Akon to as a tribute to Scherzinger's heritage[19] but failed to chart. Other songs included the critically acclaimed "Just Say Yes", written by Gary Lightbody (of Snow Patrol) which was a soft and slow song with its pulsing, electronic beat.[48] She told MTV of her excitement to record the song previously rejected by Gwen Stefani. "I'm such a huge fan of Snow Patrol's music, I felt like I was supposed to make it my own. "It's a very honest and truthful song."[47] Ne-Yo gave Scherzinger two songs, "Happily Never After" a slow ballad of which Scherzinger said she felt it "important for young girls to have an empowering message that they deserve better".[19] Interestingly the song was originally written for Britney Spears to record for her album Blackout in 2007.[18] The other song has a tear jerking ballad called "Save Me from Myself" for which Scherzinger helped Ne-Yo in developing the hook before recording the song.[19] When commenting on another song "March" Scherzinger said she wanted a powerful record. "It's about never giving up on your dreams and it’s about what I went through to get where I am today."[18] Timbaland produced and featured on the song "Physical"[19] on which his trademark vocals can be heard over the upbeat melody and thumping baseline.[48] Part of the song was used in the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (which she made a short cameo in). The album sessions also produced a number of other songs including "When Your Falling" (also co-written by Akon)[19] "Power's Out" a riveting duet with English singer Sting (featured in Revlon adverts with Jessica Alba)[19] and "I M.I.S.S You" written by Pharrell Williams and produced by The Neptunes.[48]
Scherzinger confirmed that she has done one song with Slash for his solo album Slash released in April 2010.[49] On February 1, 2010 along with other artists Scherzinger had re-recorded "We Are the World", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[50] The song debuted during NBC's coverage of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.[51] It was released as a single on iTunes on February 12, 2010 accompanied by the music video.[52]
Then in August 2010 Swedish-Moroccan electropop producer RedOne was interviewed by the BBC. In the interview he revealed he had been working on Scherzinger's album. "I just finished her album. Her last one never came out because it was collecting hamburgers, like fast food. One from McDonald's, one from Burger King, and so on. It tasted good, but it wasn't consistent. Her new record – people are really going to go crazy about it because it's the real her."[53] Scherzinger confirmed these reports in a September 2010 interview with X magazine. In reference to Her Name is Nicole she said "It was actually my decision not to put it out, not the label's". Then she said "I've been working with RedOne, which is an honour. He's an unbelievable producer and musician. He had made some amazing songs with Lady Gaga. Now, there is someone with the 'x factor'. I can't touch GaGa or RedOne in that space, but I know that we've created something unique of our own."[21] Scherzinger's new single, "Poison", premiered on her official website and YouTube account on October 14, 2010.[54] It is due for release on November 29, 2010.[55] A picture from the video shoot was revealed by MTV, showing Scherzinger dressed provocatively.[56] "Poison" serves as the first single from the album and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart becoming Scherzinger's most successful single, until her #1 hit with "Don't Hold Your Breath" in Spring of 2011.
On November 18, 2010, she joined Prince on-stage during his concert in Abu Dhabi. While working with RedOne she has also recorded vocals for songs which will be included on Mohombi's debut album. Mohombi is the first signee to RedOne's record label.[57] Scherzinger appeared at the Jingle Bell Ball at London's O2 Arena on December 4, 2010.[58] The second single, "Don't Hold Your Breath", was released on March 13, 2011 and preceded the album, Killer Love, which was released March 21, 2011.[4] The song debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart.[59]
"Right There" impacted UK radio in April 2011 as the third single in the United Kingdom.[60] For its release in the US, it was remixed to feature two new verses from American rapper 50 Cent, it serves as her first American lead single from her debut album, "Killer Love". "Right There" was released as a digital download in the US on May 17, 2011 and sent to US mainstream radio on May 24, 2011.[61] On June 12, Scherzinger performed at Capital FM's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium in London.
On August 16, 2011, Scherzinger released "Don't Hold Your Breath" in the United States as her second US single. The singles,"Right There (feat. 50 Cent)" & "Don't Hold Your Breath" were to precede her debut album, "Killer Love." This version of Killer Love was originally set to feature an alternate track listing with American hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg to appear on one of the new songs recorded for the album.[62] On The X Factor USA semi finals, Scherzinger performed a brand new song, "Pretty", which was recorded days before its performance. The album was originally planned for an August release back in 2011, but was later pushed back to November 15. Shortly after, it was confirmed that it would be released on December 6, but the album was then pushed back again to 2012. On March 23, Scherzinger revealed that the US Killer Love release was cancelled for her second album.[63] Scherzinger has recorded more than 40 songs to be considered for her US solo debut album, but insists that it "will not be finished until the very last minute. I don't know if I will ever feel like I have finished the album."[64]
Scherzinger also released a music video for "Wet", which was released as a single in the UK in August 2011. On November 14, 2011, Killer Love was re-released in Europe. In October 2011, Scherzinger released a new song titled "Try with Me", it is the lead single from the European re-release.[65] The music video for "Try with Me" premiered on 18 October 2011 on MSN. Scherzinger and her team, including X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman, were held at gunpoint by a local gang when they were travelling through the mountains to the Xilitla rainforest in Mexico to shoot the video. They were released without harm but shaken by the experience.[66][67] To further promote the album, Scherzinger began her Killer Love Tour on February 13, 2012.[68][69]
After being a judge on the The X Factor, Scherzinger was let go from the competition series, as part of a "re-imaginging" Fox Broadcasting Company and Simon Cowell were venturing into. She confirmed that 2012 would be all about her music. Scherzinger had also started her very first solo tour in Europe and Asia in early 2012, promptly titled the Killer Love Tour. When asked about the tour she said, "I'm so excited about this tour. I'm in the process of getting ready for it, doing a lot of research. I know that it's a theatre tour so I want to make sure the show is well rounded and that I draw up the proper set list. There'll be a little bit of everything in there: singing and dancing, a Pussycat Dolls set, a stripped back acoustic set, and my own songs."[70] Scherzinger also confirmed she is currently working on a new album.[71]
Scherzinger has made minor appearances as an actress. She appeared in the TV comedy, Half & Half, My Wife and Kids and the 2003 film, Love Don't Cost a Thing. She also had a role in 2001 as one of the "Pop Stars" in the episode, "Finally!", of the show Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and also made appearances in Wanda at Large, Chasing Papi, Be Cool and Cane. Scherzinger was intended to be cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming movie with the Filipino Boxing Champion, Manny Pacquiao, together with professional wrestler, Dave Batista. She was about to play the leading lady of the Filipino Champ, but her audition was cancelled and the role went to the Filipina actress, Ruffa Mae Quinto. She also made an appearance in the Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush, as herself. In 2010 Scherzinger appeared in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Glitter", as Robin Scherbatsky's former best friend, Jessica Glitter. She has also recorded a version of "GoldenEye" — the theme song of the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye — for the 2010 video game GoldenEye 007. Scherzinger portrayed Lily Poison in the film Men in Black 3, released May 25, 2012.[72]
In 2006 she made a "Bench Body" brand underwear commercial in the Philippines, and in October 2008 she promoted Clear Shampoo and Conditioner. Both commercials were reportedly aired throughout Southeast Asia. She appeared in a Nike shoe commercial with basketball player LeBron James. In 2010 she made a commercial for the C&A campaign.[73] She appeared on the covers of numerous Cosmopolitan editions (British, Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Italian, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Mexican, Mongolian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and others). Scherzinger frequently has appeared in FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women poll, ranking #49 in 2006, #22 in 2007, #49 in 2008, #60 in 2009, and #73 in 2010. In 2011 she jumped 64 places to rank #9.[74]
Scherzinger majored in acting and musical theatre at Wright State University, where she played Velma Kelly in Chicago and Julie La Verne in Show Boat.[17] She put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band, Days of the New.[75]
In late 2009 it was reported that Scherzinger was working closely with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the musical Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.[76] Although she has not yet appeared in the show, her version of the title song - Love Never Dies - was played on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Monday 1 April 2011.[77]
On June 4, 2010, it was announced that Scherzinger would take on the role of Maureen in the Hollywood Bowl production of the rock musical Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris.[78] She played the role from August 6–8, 2010.
On October 28, 2010, Scherzinger took part in the 35th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.[79]
As part of the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera, Scherzinger performed the title song at The Royal Variety Performance - held in The Lowry, Manchester - on Monday 5 December 2011. She performed alongside four former Phantoms (Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, John Owen-Jones and Ramin Karimloo). The performance was aired on ITV1 on Wednesday 14 December 2011.[80] Her performance received critical acclaim.
In December 2009 Scherzinger served as a celebrity judge on NBC's reality singing competition, The Sing-Off,[81] along with singer-songwriter Ben Folds and Boyz II Men bandmember Shawn Stockman. The show was hosted by singer Nick Lachey. Scherzinger's role was to critique performances of the competitors and vote on eliminations in all but the final round, which was determined by audience vote. In the show finale, Scherzinger performed "You Don't Own Me" with competition finalists the Beelzebubs of Tufts University. She returned to her role as judge for a second season of The Sing-Off in December 2010, but did not return for a third season.
On March 1, 2010, it was announced that Scherzinger would be a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars for the tenth season and would be partnered with Season 7 champion Derek Hough.[82] On May 25, 2010 Scherzinger won Dancing with the Stars season 10.[83]
On July 1, 2010, MTV reported the media mogul, Simon Cowell, had hired Scherzinger as a guest judge for the seventh series of the UK reality TV series The X Factor after regular judge, Dannii Minogue, went on maternity leave. According to The Daily Mail, she was one of several celebrities being considered for a role on the U.S. version of The X Factor, and so the role on the UK version served as an important screen test and opportunity to impress the producers.[84] Following praise from the show's producers, Scherzinger was asked to return as a guest judge after it was discovered that Cole had contracted malaria and was unable to film the 'bootcamp' stages of the competition.[85] Fellow judge and permanent panel member Louis Walsh praised Scherzinger, saying "My favourite though was Nicole who I had never met before. This girl has the X Factor in every way. She just got it, was incredibly impressive and ticked every box."[86] The host of the show, Dermot O'Leary, also praised Scherzinger, saying she was his favourite guest judge. "She was brilliant, tailor-made for it and hilarious too. We were all stunned by her beauty."[87] Scherzinger has been credited in the formation of One Direction, which includes: Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Harry Styles. She also left her mark on the competition after she persuaded producers to change the ages of the judging categories. An X Factor spokesman told the media that "At Nicole's suggestion, and agreed by Simon and Louis, the boys' and girls' category age limit has been increased to 28. The judges believe this will strengthen the competition and talent."[88] Additionally, it was reported that Scherzinger would be asked to help Cowell or Walsh during the "judges' houses" stages of the competition where each judge is given a category of acts to mentor and then, with the help of other celebrities and musicians, they choose three acts to take through the live finals.[89] However, this proved to be wrong as Walsh chose Sharon Osbourne and Cowell chose Sinitta.
On May 5, 2011, Scherzinger was announced as one of two co-hosts of the first season of Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor alongside Steve Jones. On June 6, a Fox press release announced Scherzinger would replace Cheryl Cole, whose contract had been terminated. As a result, Scherzinger joined the judging panel alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul, and L.A. Reid, leaving Jones to host The X Factor by himself. The show premiered on Fox on September 21, 2011.[90] Scherzinger mentored the Over 30s category throughout season one where her most successful act was Josh Krajick who came second overall in the competition. During the Judges' Houses stage of the competition, Scherzinger was aided by friend and fellow artist Enrique Iglesias to help decide which of her acts should go through to the Live Shows stage. Her Judges' Houses location was in Malibu, California. Scherzinger created immense controversy on the show when her vote was put to deadlock and the the public vote sent home contestant Rachel Crow on December 8, 2011. Scherzinger also faced backlash from the millions of fans watching the show. A source said: Nicole was hysterical backstage, screaming "I can’t do this anymore." She has also told producers she was terrified to leave her house due to death threats as she was visibly upset by the result. When Steve Jones asked Scherzinger if she had anything to say, she shook her head and turned away, and she was booed by the audience for taking the vote to deadlock.[91][92]
On January 30, 2012, it was confirmed that Scherzinger would not return to The X Factor along with host Steve Jones and fellow judge Paula Abdul due to Cowell and FOX deciding not to renew their contracts.[93]
On May 29, 2012, it was officially confirmed that Scherzinger will return to The X Factor as a judge for the London Auditions.[94]
Scherzinger's style has been influenced by rock n' roll ever since her start in the business. She claims that she prefers wearing a "grown up" style of clothing including leather jackets and boots, which can be seen on her very first solo tour. When asked about her trend, she told People: "My style has evolved into being a little bit more grown up. It's rock 'n' roll inspired, but chic. Glam rock." She also added: "If I wear a lace dress, I throw on a leather jacket to toughen things up, or some crazy boots. "I like dresses that are sassy, but have clean lines."[95]
Scherzinger biggest influence on music has been Whitney Houston. When Scherzinger was growing up, she received a Christmas gift at the age of six. It was a tiny purple boombox and a cassette of Whitney Houston’s chart-topping 1985 self-titled debut album. "My parents had no money, but they got me this player and Whitney’s album, which had ‘Greatest Love of All’ on it," Scherzinger recalls. "That was it for me. From that moment on I wanted to sing. Her voice was so powerful; every note she sang just felt like the truth."[2] Her other musical influences are Tina Turner, Prince and Michael Jackson.[96] Scherzinger has also revealed to BANG Showbiz that, "music was a very big part of her inspiration for the character" she plays in her upcoming film debut, Men In Black 3. She said, "I listened to my heavier music and I listened to Led Zeppelin and I kind of got in that frame of mind because music is what inspires me most. I worked with my acting coach a lot and she told me about lots of crazy things to think about while I was in character, but I better not tell you what she said."[97]
Scherzinger also cites fellow The X Factor USA judge Paula Abdul as one of her biggest influences when she was young. When she spoke of sitting beside Abdul on the judging panel in 2011 she said 'it's really a dream come true for me'.
Scherzinger admits it's "frustrating" to read about the media's portrayal of her as "a man-eater". Scherzinger split from Lewis Hamilton back in October 2011, and has since been linked to a number of different men, but insists none of the rumours are true. "It annoys me," Nicole told Look magazine. "I'm a very classy girl. I have very strong morals."I've only dated a few men in my life, so to read the news that I've got a new guy every week, it makes me look like I'm easily distracted or that any guy can have me, I'm not like that." Nicole added: "I'm not a man-eater, I'm quite the opposite."[98]
After appearing as a judge on The X Factor, Scherzinger’s public image has declined, though it has undoubtedly raised her profile. She has confessed, "the elimination process has been really hard… it’s something I could have never prepared for." She has also received death threats after being on the show. Scherzinger said, "To get death threats is like, really scary for me. I was like, 'Now America is going to blame this on me, and it's not in my heart!" Scherzinger went to a deadlock after finding it hard to choose between Marcus Canty and Crow, forcing producers to send Crow home. Upon finding out she was going home, Crow collapsed on the stage. After the emotional moment, Scherzinger revealed, "Rachel came into the room and she was a little angel. She said, 'I'm okay. Everything will be okay."[99]
Scherzinger considers herself to be a devout Roman Catholic.[100] After a three-year relationship and engagement to 311 singer, Nick Hexum, as well as a brief relationship with reality TV star, Talan Torriero, Scherzinger began dating 2008 Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton in 2008. She had met Hamilton at the European Music Awards in Munich in November 2007. They went public at the Monaco Grand Prix six months later. The couple split in January 2010 when they had been together for 20 months. However, in July 2011 Scherzinger’s father, Alfonso Valiente, confirmed the couple were engaged. On October 21, 2011 it was reported that the couple had split again. Scherzinger and Hamilton continued seeing each other, confirmed their reunion on December 2, 2011. The couple blamed their hectic lifestyles for the on-off relationship.[101][102][103]
Over the past five years, Scherzinger has been ranked in Maxim's Hot 100 at 22 and 21 in 2006 and 2007 respectively. In 2008 she ranked at number 19 along with the Pussycat Dolls. In 2009 she ranked at number 49[104] and in 2010 at number 24.[105] In 2011, Scherzinger was ranked at 51.[106]
As a Pussycat Doll
As a solo artist
As a Pussycat Doll
As a solo artist
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Popstars | Herself | Contestant, Season 1 |
2003 | Half & Half | Jasmine | |
My Wife & Kids | Veronica | The Kyles Go to Hawaii: Part 1,2 | |
2005 | Las Vegas | Herself (with the Pussycat Dolls) | |
2007 | Cane | Nicole | 1 episode, "Family Business" |
2010 | The X Factor (UK) | Guest Judge (in place of Dannii Minogue) | 9 episodes (credited with 3) and Xtra Factor 6 episodes (uncredited)[107] |
2008 | Gossip Girl | Performer (with the Pussycat Dolls) | uncredited |
2009–2010 | The Sing-Off | Judge | Seasons 1–2; 9 episodes |
2009 | Keeping Up With The Kardashians | Herself (with the Pussycat Dolls) | Uncredited |
Big Time Rush | Herself | 1 Episode | |
2010 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Contestant and winner |
How I Met Your Mother | Jessica Glitter | 1 episode, "Glitter" | |
2011 | Danse avec les stars | Guest | Season 1 Final of Dancing with the Stars (France) |
The X Factor | Herself | Judge, Season 1 (September 21, 2011–December 22, 2011) | |
2012 | The X Factor (UK) | Guest Judge | London auditions (May 30, 2012) |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Love Don't Cost a Thing | Champagne Girl | |
Chasing Papi | Miss Puerto Rico | ||
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Dancer/Herself (with the Pussycat Dolls) | uncredited | |
2005 | Be Cool | ||
2007 | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer | Performer | uncredited |
2012 | Men in Black 3 | Lily Poison | Released (May 25, 2012) |
Year | Nominated work | Event | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Nicole Scherzinger | Virgin Media Music Awards | Hottest Female[108] | Nominated |
2011 | Nicole Scherzinger | Italian TRL Awards | Best Look[109] | Nominated |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nicole Scherzinger |
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by Donny Osmond & Kym Johnson |
Dancing with the Stars (US) winner Season 10 (Spring 2010 with Derek Hough) |
Succeeded by Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough |
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