Nicole Elikolani Prescovia Scherzinger (born June 29, 1978), also known Nicole Kea, is an American singer-songwriter/dancer and actress best known for her work as the lead vocalist for The Pussycat Dolls. Scherzinger was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Filipino father and a Hawaiian/Russian mother. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with stepfather Gary Scherzinger, who is of German descent, mother Rosemary and sister Ke'ala. Nicole took her step-father's surname, as he raised her and she has always considered him to be her father. She began her life as a performer in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville. Scherzinger majored in theater arts at Wright State University, but put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band Days of the New. Nicole Scherzinger in the Pussycat Dolls After a series of performances on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live, Nicole and the Pussycat Dolls began work on their debut album. PCD was released in September 2005 to critical and financial acclaim. As for Nicole's private life, she prefers to stay out of the limelight -- doubtless a difficult task during her brief engagement to Nick Hexum, the lead singer of 311.