2003–2005: Formation
During 2003, Scherzinger, a former member of Popstars winners Eden's Crush, became the recording group's lead singer. In the same year, vocalist Thornton and Jones were also recruited in order to add vocal strength to the group. The musical group's initial line-up consisted of Scherzinger, Thornton, Jones, Antin, Bachar, Batten, Campbell, Wyatt, Roberts, and Sutta. The group appeared in two soundtracks during 2004, for the films Shark Tale and Shall We Dance?. The newly formed recording group's first single was "Sway" from Shall We Dance?, with a music video inspired by the movie.
In 2004, just before the group's debut, Batten and Campbell left the group to pursue their solo dancing careers. Later in 2005, Jones left the group after recording their debut album, to pursue modeling and a solo musical career. Antin remained with the group as founder, manager and business associate to Interscope. By the time the recording group was launched the musical lineup was a sextet composed of Scherzinger, Thornton, Bachar, Sutta, Roberts and Wyatt.
2005–2008: First album PCD and commercial success
On September 13, 2005, they released their debut album, PCD, which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.[8] Their first single, "Don't Cha" was a success, reaching number one in multiple countries including UK, Australia and Canada and scored a maximum of number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] The song was originally sung by Tori Alamaze and featured rapper Busta Rhymes. The ballad "Stickwitu" was another top five in the US,[8] and was their second number one in the UK.[9] It was later nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group. "Beep", featuring will.i.am, was less successful but did reach number one in some international markets.[citation needed] "Buttons" (with rapper Snoop Dogg) scored number three on the UK Singles Chart;[citation needed] the next single, "I Don't Need a Man" was not as successful, although it scored the top 10 in Australia,[10] Ireland,[10] New Zealand[10] and UK.[10] The group's sixth single from the album was "Wait a Minute" featuring Timbaland released in the US in August 2006, becoming a top 40 success worldwide.[8] The group was selected to perform for the introduction for ABC's coverage of the NBA.[11] During 2007, a version of "Right Now" was used as a theme song for the NBA, though the lyrics had been altered.
- Line-up change
In 2007, Asia Nitollano nominally became the group's seventh member after winning in the reality show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll, giving her the opportunity to sing on the next album and on tour. It was rumored that the Dolls would record a version of "Lady Marmalade", which Nitollano sang during the show's finale. This was never confirmed by the management nor the group. Nitollano performed for the first time with the Dolls during the show's finale, singing their Number 1 Hit "Don't Cha". She later performed again with the Dolls during the The CW Upfronts Party. Her place in the group was questioned due to her only seen performing with the group twice, and was intensified by her non-appearance most notably during the group's Live Earth performances.
2008–2009: The Doll Domination era
While the Pussycat Dolls were on break between the recording of the two albums Scherzinger worked on her own debut album titled Her Name is Nicole. She released four singles, none of which matched the commercial success of her work with the Dolls. The album was scheduled for a late 2007 release, then rescheduled for October 2008,[12] and but the project was then shelved in late 2008 and some of the songs appeared on the group's second album titled Doll Domination. Just before the album's release longstanding member of the group Carmit Bachar announced she was departing the group for a solo career.[13] The group performed for the first time after their break and as a quintet for US troops in Kuwait for Operation Myspace.[citation needed]
The group 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 only managing number 8 on the Bubbling Under chart[14] 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. A world tour titled The Doll Domination Tour accompanied the album and began in Aberdeen, Scotland on January 18, 2009.
In April 2009 Scherzinger confirmed to Billboard that the album would be re-released to give more people a chance to get their music.[15] In Europe the album was re-released with three or four new songs.[16] 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[17], released on April 27, 2009 and featuring four of the original songs plus a remix and a new song. 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") which reached top 20 internationally. Following Scherzinger's over-emphasis in the release of these two singles there several emotional outbursts to the media including one by Thornton during one of the group's appearances on tour.[18] This led to media speculation about the future of the group.
2009 – Present: Line-up change and third studio album
Following repeated media speculation and growing tension within the group their founder and manager Robin Antin broke her silence on August 2, 2009 on her official Twitter page to say that the group was not splitting up. She explicitly said "The Pussycat Dolls r NOT breaking up.... & IF they ever were, u would hear it from ME 1st, NOT GOSSIP...Album #3 on the way!"[citation needed] Thorton further clarified the situation to MTV, "Right now the Pussycat Dolls are on a break. It's actually a much-needed break. It's like when you're with your sisters for 24 hours a day and you need to take your own shower."[19] Thornton said that the Dolls will eventually find their way back to one another.
Since then Wyatt has been very vocal about the actual reality of the group and gave a long series of interviews about the status of the dolls. In October 2009 She told the Daily Star that her "role in group was a job at the end of the day and that they all had individual lives to live". She went on to explain that the group had been put together not bonded naturally therefore she saw Scherzinger as a business associate rather than a friend.[20] The comments highlighted the group's position that the band would continue regardless of who returned to the band or who was part of it. It is also reaffirmed that the group all played a role in developing the franchise and music. On October 12 she told the Daily Record that Antin could bring in whoever she liked and the group would still continue just like a broadway show that she is still part of the group.[21] In December Wyatt once again spoke about the group and what was currently happening to entertainment website Digital Spy. She confirmed earlier reports that she had been in the recording studios working on her own Electronica-influenced debut solo album. Crucially she revealed that she did not know what was currently happening with the group's third album as she was not the driving force behind it. It was also mentioned that "fans should expect new faces". She described her role in the group as irreplaceable saying that "she will always be involved with the [Pussycat Dolls] whether its helping with the choreography or the creative direction."[22] This amongst many other interviews and appearances by the group separately led to rumors and media speculation that the group were about to split up over the group's strained relationship with lead singer Scherzinger. However Antin responded quickly with a statement to the press and media stating that
| “ | The Pussycat Dolls are very much alive and there is no truth to the silent treatment statements. Nicole and the Dolls have ALWAYS been close. Nicole is and always has been a strong creative force within this group and I cherish the way we collaborate.[23] | ” |
Antin later appeared on the The Wendy Williams show to promote her new fitness DVD. Williams took the opportunity to ask Antin about the rumours surrounding the group's alleged break up. Antin responded by saying that "The [Pussycat Dolls] have not broken up. In fact we're preparing to make new music. She confirmed that Scherzinger was here to stay. However Antin did state that she will be bringing in a few new faces and several of the exisitng members will be leaving to pursue solo projects. She said "the brand is about female empowerment. Inside every woman is a pussycat doll waiting to get out. There are millions of women out there who wants to know what it feels like. I want to bring in new faces."[24]
In January 2010 the News of the World claimed that both Wyatt and Thorton were to be "sacked from the group for clashing with Scherzinger" with the possibility of more dolls following.[25] Wyatt stated that she was unhappy about Scherzinger's preferential treatment including arranging private transport instead of joining the girls on the tour bus and requesting her own dressing room whilst the rest of the girls shared one during their recent tours.[25] The final straw came when it was announced that changes were being made to group, Wyatt revealed in response that she had spoken to Thornton, Roberts and Sutta about a rival project to the Pussycat Dolls.[25] Although an official statement detailing the changes is not due until Scherzinger's solo project[25] is due. Wyatt stated that "[Me and the other girls except Nicole] are looking at ways to keep working together. We all want to. But when we do that we're not allowed to call ourselves the Pussycat Dolls. Right now there is a lot of controversy. I haven't spoken to Nicole about it. She's full speed ahead with her career."[25]
Finally from January 29, 2010 the true fate of the group came to light. It began with Jessica Sutta revealing to E!Online had been ousted from the group following the broken rib she sustained whilst on tour with the group.[citation needed] The news put her under financial strain and at one point she nearly ended up homeless. Similar to Wyatt's earlier interviews Sutta spoke at length about Scherzinger's preferential treatment. Whilst the group toured with Britney Spears the other dolls had to undergo regular drugs tests but Scherzinger was exempt.[citation needed] According to Sutta, Scherzinger has more involvement than just singing lead vocals, she apparently controls the amount of camera time each of the dolls receives in their music videos. Sutta told In Style magazine that although being a doll was a joyful experience even after seven years, she doesn't want to be just a glorfied back-up dancer.[citation needed]
Less than a month later on February 26 Wyatt confirmed what was widely expected: she was also leaving the group and officially revealed the news in Loaded magazine.[citation needed] She left the group because she wasn't happy of her position in the group stating: "I wish that it was different because I love what we do on stage. I love being a Doll, but as far as variables off-stage are concerned - I just couldn't do it anymore ... when I came out on stage, I knew what my job was and I did it to the best of my ability. I feel like I can relate to anybody in a corporate job - because it's just a job, nothing more!"[26] She stated that her happiness no longer rested with the group because she wanted more than money and fame.[27] Just one day later Ashley Roberts also announced her departure from the group via her website. In a simple message she said "Yes, I have left the Pussycat Dolls..I love you all sooo much!!! I am so grateful to have the love and support of all of you. It was an amazing ride and I learned so much!"[citation needed]
Reaffirming the group's position, on March 4 Scherzinger told MTV that her position with the group is secure though it will consist of a new line-up with hopes of releasing a new album near the end of 2010. She also stated that she is in the studio recording music. But when asked about the nature of the recordings she wasn't sure if they would be for her own album or for the doll's third album but the latter will definitely be released for the fans. Speaking of the music she said "I don't know if I'm gonna put [the new music out] under my name yet or if it's going to be perfect for the Dolls, It doesn't matter. I just want to make great music for the fans". Thus, the new Dolls album will have popular music but with more rock, soul-inspired sound."[28]
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