photo by Timothy Norris
Newly crowned Broadway diva Nicole Scherzinger slunk her way onto the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage on October 30th with a clever, feline prowess, ready to ignite the night with her magnificent voice and sparkling stage banter. The former Pussycat Doll turned theater powerhouse wasted no time setting the tone, opening with the Funny Girl classic “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” And what a parade it was. With a full-throated growl (that’s a compliment!), Scherzinger attacked the song with such confidence and control that you could practically feel the ghosts of Streisand and Fanny Brice nodding in approval.
From there, she floated through a series of standards and showstoppers, “I Put a Spell on You,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” and a show-stopping “Losing My Mind” from Sondheim’s Follies, which earned her the first of multiple standing ovations. Between numbers, she flirted shamelessly with the audience, reflecting on her winding career path, her love for Los Angeles, and the magic of performing in the hallowed hall she claims to have “manifested” exactly seven years earlier to the day, when she played a smaller version of the show in a New York club.
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photo by Timothy Norris
The night’s momentum only grew. “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret brought down the house, her voice soaring through the rafters with equal parts power and vulnerability. She returned for a triumphant encore, honoring “all of WeHo” with a glittering rendition of “I Am What I Am,” followed by a sultry, jazz-infused original titled “Bullshit,” which she delivered with a wink and a smoky swagger.
But it was her Broadway triumph as Sunset Boulevard’s Norma Desmond that sealed her diva status. “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye” were sung with such emotional conviction that the audience collectively melted into reverent silence before erupting into thunderous applause.
Photo by Frederic Monceau
Then came the finale, a tribute to her late friend and icon Prince. With her guitarist’s help, she tore into “Purple Rain” with raw emotion and astonishing control, her voice shimmering like velvet and lightning at once. And just when the night seemed over, Scherzinger returned in a sparkling catsuit for a high-octane medley of her pop hits: “Buttons,” “Don’t Cha,” and “Don’t Hold Your Breath.” The crowd, from die-hard theater lovers to tuxedoed patrons likely expecting a quieter evening, couldn’t help but rise to their feet, clapping and dancing along.
Nicole Scherzinger is, without question, a star not just for her versatility or vocal power, but for her charming relatability and ability to glide effortlessly between jazz, pop, blues, and musical theater. She’s not just having a moment; she’s defining one. After more than 20 years in the business, it’s clear that Nicole Scherzinger isn’t making a comeback. She’s finally taking her rightful place in the spotlight she was always meant to own.
For more information on upcoming events at the Walt Disney Music Hall, visit www.laphil.com.
