"We don’t put ourselves in a box like that": Nicole Scherzinger reflects on facing ageism after turning 30

Nicole Scherzinger is reflecting on how the music industry treated her in her early 30s — and how she pushed back.

The 47-year-old singer, known for her powerhouse run with the Pussycat Dolls and a successful solo career, told CBS Sunday Morning that after the group disbanded, record labels weren’t rushing to support her.

“I’ll never forget when I turned 30 after the [Pussycat] Dolls, and the record labels were still, like, hesitant to play my music.”

When correspondent Tracy Smith asked:

“Because you turned 30?”

Nicole Scherzinger replied:

“Yes. I think when I was in my early 30s, they were already aging me up in roles.”

The same bias followed her into acting. She noted that casting teams were already offering her mother roles.

“I was, like, ‘But, I don’t have children.’”

Still, she believes momentum is shifting:

“We are not allowing people to hold us back and view us in that way because we don’t view ourselves, and we don’t put ourselves in a box like that.”

Nicole Scherzinger’s own experiences mirror her latest Broadway role as Norma Desmond in the revival of Sunset Boulevard.

“I think that it’s difficult. It’s hard, [in] the industry, because you’re constantly, already, even at a young age, comparing yourself.”

She went on:

“It’s difficult that the industry, kind of, puts an expiration date on you when you’ve actually lived a life and actually have something really meaningful to say… It’s a bit of a pity, I think, but I think that hopefully things are changing now.”

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Nicole Scherzinger tears up while discussing Sunset Boulevard character: "I see a piece of Norma Desmond in everyone"

In her CBS exclusive interview, Nicole Scherzinger talked about her role as Norma Desmond in the Jamie Lloyd-helmed musical, which earned her a Tony Award for her performance.

When Smith asked her:

“How do you see Norma Desmond?”

Nicole Scherzinger took a quick pause and turned emotional before she launched into her answer.

“I see Norma Desmond as myself. I see Norma Desmond as you. I see a piece of Norma Desmond in everyone. Norma Desmond is the human story, anyone who wants to feel seen, anyone who’s ever felt unseen, or lonely, or unheard, abandoned, anyone who wants to be loved, loved fully, completely for who they are.”

The Stickwitu songstress continued:

“Norma is a dreamer. She wants to give the world new ways to dream because everyone needs new ways to dream, especially now more than ever. And she is a warrior.”

Nicole Scherzinger went on to discuss Norma Desmond, saying the character is “a bit delusional at times”. She followed it up with:

“But who isn’t?”

The singer shared she made sure to bring the human aspect to the character’s story, aiming to connect deeper emotionally, spiritually, and soulfully.