Nicole Scherzinger’s transgender past and ‘The Big Gay Jamboree’ diva are taking over New York

Although the theme Sunset Boulevard. “Don’t believe your own press,” says Nicole Scherzinger, who is currently starring in the Broadway adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and should probably take hers seriously. He won the prestigious Laurence Olivier award for his performance in London last year, and now he’s set to ride Broadway into a wave of extreme expectations.

Scherzinger, of course, plays the pale diva Norma Desmond; originally Gloria Swanson in the 1950 film and Glenn Close in the musical’s first Broadway incarnation in 1994.

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Norma is a flamboyant former silent film star whose long career decline has left her bitter, unrealistic, and ultimately insane. But director Jamie Lloyd has reimagined everything, adding contemporary touches and other bold strokes. New York Times He called Scherzinger’s performance “career-defining” and “both captivating and chilling” at the same time.

Born in Honolulu and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Scherzinger was the lead vocalist of the sultry dance/R&B group the Pussycat Dolls (2003-’10), a sort of harder Spice Girls, whose hits include “Don’t Cha,” “Buttons” and “When I Grow Up” among others.

He continued his solo career, including serving as a judge on shows such as. X Factor aAnd Masked Singer.

We meet and greet at a Civilian Hotel Sunset Boulevard.She looked flawless in her white mini dress – which opens October 20 – with wavy shoulders, cascading hair and fire engine red lips.

She was ready for her close-up!

Hello Nicole. Were you always interested in doing musical theatre?

Yes! I loved musical theater at a young age. But my real plan was to fall in love with Whitney Houston when I was only six years old. After that, I also loved Paula Abdul. And I started to love jazz, rock, all kinds of music. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday. When I attended Youth Performing Arts School (in Kentucky), I fell in love with musical theater and performed in many shows.

The role of Norma Desmond must have been exhausting. Do you experience adrenaline at the end of the performance or do you have to be carried on a stretcher?

I’m an adrenaline junkie! Norma is dazzlingly complex, and the show takes me to emotional extremes. Every night is extremely tiring and challenging but also very rewarding.

I think the moment when Norma becomes human is when she returns to the movie studio and meets up with some of her old friends. You suddenly feel some sympathy for him and realize he might not be a complete monster.

You haven’t seen our production. It is humanized from the beginning.

Ah! I can’t wait. Andrew Lloyd Webber loved your version of “Memory”. Would you like to play Grizabella? cats?

I played Grizabella and was nominated for a Laurence Olivier award (in 2015).

Ahh. Get my gay card!

cats It came at the right moment in my life. Felt like it was written for me, just like I feel Sunset Boulevard It was written for me.

Glenn Close wants to talk a little, hahaha. Do you have many strange friends?

Oh yes!

And it has a very strange following.

Yes. From Pussycat Dolls. When I continue RuPaul’s Drag Race (All StarsAs a judge in 2016), “I think I’m a transvestite!” I thought. When I heard the stories of these queens they really spoke to me.

You’re doing some great drag moves right now. Congratulations on the show.

His art will continue

If this isn’t gay enough for you maybe you should see it Big Gay FestOpens September 30 at the Orpheum Theater off-Broadway. Marla Mindelle, who co-wrote the series, is also the creator and star (as Celine Dion) of the popular off-Broadway series. Titanica funny fraud Titanicnever hitting a creative iceberg.

Inside Big Gay FestMindelle is a woman who gets drunk, passes out, and wakes up in a 1940s musical, desperate to wake up. Can you imagine anything more terrifying? I just talked to Marla about this experience.

Hello Marla. So tell me Big Gay Fest. How gay?

In the 1940s, “gay” meant happy. Of course, it will take on different connotations in 90 minutes. But he actually has no idea how he got there. He really is a failed actor like yours.

Please! You have won prizes!

Of course (laughs), but I was an unsuccessful actor for a long time and that’s where I got my inspiration. The next big thing is a Real Housewife.

He will choose any franchise outside Dubai. He hates Dubai.

So you’re imitating the traditions of musical theatre?

TRUE. We take the tropes of classic musical theater (female empowerment or gay identity) and comment on it. My character turns on the townspeople and tells them, “Hey, you’ve got the main character energy.”

“What’s this? “I’ve never heard of this before.” She uses modern-day language to transform their lives in a misogynist and racist town and wants to transport them to the future where it’s just a little bit better, if not better.

you were great Titanic. What was the key to learning to sing like Celine?

I do the same as he does. You put a small smile on your face; a sideways smile and you are always so grateful. “Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup.” Everyone is your best friend, including the doorknob. Then you conduct the orchestra with your fingers, take a breath, and wail your tits.

Do you have extra admiration for Celine despite all her health problems?

Oh my God, I watched the documentary and I cried. I cried during Olympics. It’s still my cornerstone. He went through it all and came out on top with some of the most spectacular performances in recent memory. I still take it with me.

Offstage, you and the film’s co-creator/costar Constantine Rousouli are “non-sexual life partners.” TitanicRight?

Yes. It’s not sexual at all. I can’t do anything without him.

Does this prevent other relationships from happening?

I think so too. Our family will be happy to see us married. We live, work and love each other together.

How do you define it?

We’re both weird.

Can you make an appointment next door?

Yes. We are each other’s beard.

(Laughs) What if you met a woman you fell in love with?

They would have to agree to a threesome with me and Constantine.

A group! like your exTitanic There was costar Frankie Grande.

We are Frankie Grande! He would love that.

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