The Reason Behind the Pussycat Dolls’ Performance Without Nicole Scherzinger
The Pussycat Dolls experienced a brief lineup change during their concert in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday, September 16.
Lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger was missing from the stage at the COS Torwar Arena while Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt kicked off the group’s 2006 hit “Buttons.” Instead of performing Scherzinger’s verses, the two danced through the song’s instrumental sections until the former Masked Singer judge, 48, was able to join them later in the set.
Fans quickly took to social media to share their thoughts on the situation.
“It would have been less awkward to pause the music until everything was resolved,” one user commented under video clips from the performance.
“Oh this is bad😭😩,” another added. “Isn’t there anyone who can cover the vocals? It’s clear why Nicole gets the bulk of the money and spotlight 😏.”
A representative for the band later released a statement addressing Scherzinger’s absence.
“There was a wardrobe change issue with Nicole’s in-ear pack during the show, necessitating an unexpected change,” the statement explained. “Rather than stop the entire performance and disappoint fans, the decision was made to switch Nicole’s pack; unfortunately, this delayed her return to the stage.”
The statement continued, “Nicole is heartbroken that fans were let down and is eager to return to Poland soon to make amends.”
Scherzinger, Wyatt, 44, and Roberts, 45, reunited in March to release the Pussycat Dolls’ single “Club Song” and reissued their albums PCD and Doll Domination in celebration of their 20th anniversary. (Former members Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, and Melody Thornton did not participate in the reunion.)
Nicole Scherzinger discussed the ongoing ageism she encountered in the entertainment industry while in her early 30s. “I’ll never forget turning 30 after the [Pussycat] Dolls, when record labels were still hesitant to promote my music,” Scherzinger, now 47, shared on Sunday, August 10, […]
The trio set out on the latest Pussycat Dolls tour, PCD Forever, in June, yet faced the cancellation of many North American dates due to low ticket sales.
“Nicole is upset,” a source told Us in May regarding the postponed tour dates. “She was really looking forward to performing with Ashley [Roberts] and Kimberly [Wyatt] to mark a new era, but now she feels like they missed the opportunity to showcase their talent.”
The insider elaborated, “They jumped from not touring for over 15 years to booking major venues like Madison Square Garden, but only had one new song to support it. They misjudged the demand.”
After the announcement of the Pussycat Dolls’ reunion, both Bachar, 52, and Sutta, 44, publicly expressed their disappointment at being excluded from the new lineup.
“I was not consulted about the group’s decision to move forward and learned of these plans at the same time as everyone else,” Bachar claimed via Instagram. “Considering my history with the brand, having been a foundational member before its commercial launch and contributing to its success… I would have appreciated some direct communication.”
Meanwhile, Sutta described herself as a “liability” due to her friendship with and support for President Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I align with Bobby Kennedy, which aligns with MAGA,” she mentioned during the “Maverick Approach” podcast at the time.
