‘WE HAVE GREAT CHEMISTRY’
THE GLOBAL SUPERSTAR AND AUSTRALIA’S GOT TALENT JUDGE LIFTS THE LID ON HER FEELINGS
Being on a judging panel on a reality TV show is no foreign spot for Nicole Scherzinger to find herself in. The Grammy nominated triple threat was the lead singer of one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, The Pussycat Dolls, and has graced the stage in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats on London’s West End. Having also been a judge on The X Factor US and UK and The Masked Singer US, it was a no-brainer when she said yes to joining Australia’s Got Talent.
“I’m so excited, I’m over the moon,” the 41-year-old singer tells New Idea.
Nicole, who will sit alongside comedic actor/entertainer
Shane Jacobson, stage and screen star Lucy Durack and My Kitchen
Rules’ presenter Manu Feildel, says she doesn’t have any particular strategy ahead of her first season. “I’m honestly just in the moment. I’m not really jaded by anything.
“I just think this show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and I guess I’m the perfect candidate because I’m very expressive and have a wide range of emotions – which you’re able to see on the show – which is reflective of how amazing the talent is.”
While it appears Nicole believes Australia has got talent, she also believes the talent on the judging panel are already forming solid relationships.
“We just met the day before filming and the judges are so lovely,” she says. “We naturally have a great chemistry – we all bring something really different to the panel.”
In fact, Nicole reveals that she found herself inclined to spend time with Shane Jacobson, who she says embraced her with his larrikin charms.
“I kind of hit it off with Shane,” she says.
“He was so warm and he knew that I was a newbie coming into Australia – even though Manu is from another country as well, he’s lived in Australia for 19 years – so Shane kind of took me under his wing.”
Still, she wouldn’t say no to being seated side-by-side the judge with the French accent.
“They sat me next to Manu and I was like, ‘I don’t even know this guy!’” she laughs.
“But, we went straight in, we totally connected, and he’s got such a great sense of humour.”
What’s more, the French chef admits that he thinks Nicole is great as well.
“Nicole is the rock star from across the world and she’s got presence,” he tells New Idea. “She really is a lovely person.” Now we know she is close with Manu and Shane, what does the US star think of her fellow female judge, Lucy Durack?
“Lucy was so kind, warm and welcoming,” she says.
“When I first met her, I thought she can’t even be real, she’s like a Disney character. [Laughs] She cracks me up. She is that lovely in real life.”