Nicole Scherzinger has shared her perspectives on a potential Pussycat Dolls reunion—and revealed the most important lesson she’s taken from her time with the group
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Nicole Scherzinger takes on the role of mentor and judge in Netflix’s Building the Band, which debuted on Wednesday, July 9.
Nicole Scherzinger Reflects on the Pussycat Dolls, Mentorship, and Netflix’s Building the Band
Nicole Scherzinger is stepping into a role that fits her perfectly—as a judge and mentor on Netflix’s new music competition Building the Band, which premiered Wednesday, July 9.
Ahead of the show’s release, the singer and Broadway actress opened up in an interview about the possibility of reuniting with the Pussycat Dolls, the girl group she fronted from 2003 to 2010.
“Never say never,” Scherzinger, 47, said when asked about a potential reunion. “Right now, I’m still immersed in the world of Norma Desmond and Sunset Boulevard,” she added, referencing her current Tony-winning role in the Broadway revival. “But who knows what’s next.”
While reflecting on her time in the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger shared the biggest lesson she took away from being part of a successful group—something she now passes on to rising artists.
“The key is putting your ego aside and recognizing that every member plays a critical part,” she explained. “There are different roles in a band, and it’s all about strengthening the group as a whole.”
She noted that many contestants on the show had standout solo voices, but being in a band meant knowing when to step forward and when to blend in. “It’s about knowing your moment to lead and when to harmonize,” she said.
Scherzinger emphasized that recognizing each person’s unique “strength” and “superpower,” while still giving your all, is what makes a band thrive.
Building the Band brings together talented vocalists who form bands from individual sound booths—without ever seeing each other. The only criteria? Musical connection, chemistry, and raw talent.
The first four episodes are now streaming on Netflix. Alongside Scherzinger, the series also stars AJ McLean as host, with Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne serving as fellow judges.
When Netflix first offered her the opportunity, Scherzinger said she was intrigued by the format. “I’d never heard of anything quite like it,” she said. “I’ve been in the industry a long time, and one of the things I love most is mentoring—helping others grow.”
Having judged numerous shows before, including The X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, and The Masked Singer, Scherzinger brought a wealth of experience to the role. “One of my gifts is being able to spot the potential in others, and I was eager to bring that to the show,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, she described her time working with Payne, Rowland, and McLean as “really beautiful,” and shared a heartfelt tribute to Payne, who passed away in October 2024 at age 31.
“I feel fortunate to have gotten close to Liam during filming,” she said. “He was such a kind soul. I’m grateful people will get to see this other side of him—how giving and supportive he was with young artists.”
According to Scherzinger, even when cameras weren’t rolling, Payne was connecting with fans and offering support to the contestants. “It was moving to watch him in his element,” she added.