Pussycat Dolls: More than a novelty act?

From fishnets to hip-hop
That puzzle was originally put together a decade ago by L.A.-based dancer and choreographer Robin Antin. The idea was for a wink-wink cabaret act that mixed Bob Fosse and a lingerie-filled Hugh Hefner dreamscape.

After years at Johnny Depp’s club The Viper Room, the Dolls were reconceived as a pop band. The line-up changed and their ranks were thinned from 12 to six because, says Fair, there were “too many to keep track of.”

“A lot of time we didn’t know where we were going or how it was going to transition from fishnets into hip-hop,” says Scherzinger. “But it’s worked out. We believe in what we do and I think people get that.”

Fair envisions the Dolls eventually becoming a sort of right-of-passage for young talent, with girls graduating from the group to become stars in their own right and others filling in the void.

“The rule book was thrown out with this thing,” he says.

Their music, looks and trashy heritage have led some critics to lambast the Dolls as an American version of the Spice Girls, but the six are determined to remain positive.

“We’re just doing our thing,” says Thornton. “We don’t try to overthink it because then you’re trying to please everybody and you can’t please everybody. You just do what you do best.”