The Dark Side of The Pussycat Dolls | Deep Dive

[@DeepDiveProductions]

Don’t forget to check out the other videos in our PCD collaboration! Secret Society: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGaQqGOXpdt1f6M Study Break: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4XVe5lmlMh-htE Bj Investigates: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpvSoHd-dt-hkMk

[@melissaleach6932]

Q's Q's

[@julieoluna8887]

Can't you speak like a normal person??

[@nadiashireensiddiqi]

I can see that Nicole speaks better, sings better, is ethnically ambiguous and has universal appeal; I can understand only wanting Nicole to speak and be the lead singer.

[@davidgillespie615]

​@@nadiashireensiddiqi😊😊😊

[@razegirl1442]

Excuse me, the name of the Beyoncé tour is "RENAISSANCE" "FORMATION" was the last tour.

[@Chikara199]

I think everyone found it very weird that only Nicole was allowed to sing. You could clearly hear the other ones being able to do so, but they were just almost muted in every song. It was so obvious that it would not work in the long run, which is sad because they had some really cool tunes.

[@ShadeVictoria]

I was confused about why there was only one singer but a million group members. I still think it's weird.

[@kyladyer2855]

Because Nicole was supposed to be a soloist. That was her album, not the dolls. The label played her.

[@Markaylaa0]

@@kyladyer2855 did they play her or play the dolls? Or both. I feel like everyone got played in the end but in a way the dolls got done worse bc Nicole is still successful & a name in the celebrity world today. It’s like they used the girls to build Nicole’s career. Whether she agreed to that or not.

[@itsmeAshley84]

I agree she was pushed upfront more than anyone in the group

[@Zebrowsky79]

This is how it is in most groups. Bono in U2 does most of the singing, Timberlake in N'SYNC and many other groups there's usually a leader. All the girls are beautiful and talented but Nicole has that look and that's what you need to make money and its all about money.

[@ellaeadig263]

Nicole's body language when Melody was having her outburst on stage, whilst the other girls cheered her on, is so telling.

[@prilailiu]

At what time is that?

[@anggelo7719]

@@prilailiu at 31:23

[@javantenova]

LOL I was looking at that too!🤣

[@pikachu7572]

I really think it's so weird that she's making it out to be like the other girls aren't strong performers. Like she's experiencing favoritism but acting like she's the one with the short end of the stick. Not to mention, I've never liked her singing. Her style sucks and voice is just so so

[@imangelinayoujennifer]

Bombastic side eye lol

[@Lala-lw6pi]

U forgot to mention this was mostly a group for old men in the industry to pass around vulnerable young women with dreams. Thats why they hired a teenager whose not a dancer but is beautiful and fits the image of a PCD and was told shes hired for her voice when she was never given a chance to sing. Shame on robin and what she opened these poor girls to. Many of them are still dealing with the traumas

[@FaiaHalo]

40:42 I think that was mentioned here as one of the women's testimony is highlighted

[@happystarhappystar1477]

So where does responsibility lie when the girls knew perfectly well, as legal of-age adults, what was expected of them?

[@Lala-lw6pi]

@@happystarhappystar1477 u can still get raped, abuse, hurt and manipulated and used and and and if ur legal of age. Forcing urself unto anyone, whether their 3 or 90 is WRONG and illegal. Human trafficking happens to all ages.

[@samanderson6194]

Keep it Slutty let's get bizzy

[@kerrylynn5199]

@@happystarhappystar1477 Do you always blame the victim? Or just when it's mentally and sexually abused young women?

[@peaches5878]

All they had to do was give all the members a fair line distribution, rest, and a fair contract. It would've made this group so much bigger.

[@normandyf4234]

I hated how they always show the rest of the girls for less than half a second

[@claraporch_]

That’s too much for industry🥲

[@futurelivesxi]

That's not necessarily true... The group was popular for a reason and that was presumably in large part to Nicole's voice.

[@jzblue345]

They were a front for a P ring

[@DannyHidalgo]

The thing that always frustrates me is when people say "well Nicole did all the singing, she deserves the credit", what they always leave out of it is that she only did all the singing because the other girls were literally silenced and not allowed to do more than just a few ad libs. You really think if they had the opportunity to do more singing on the albums, they would have declined? Be for real.

[@Bbytelle]

The others couldn’t do more than as libs because they didn’t have good voices

[@charlotteforbes2090]

Yes, thank you for your honest comment. And if we may be honest, half the girls from the Search for the Next Doll sing way freaking better than Nicole anyway! Chelsea Korka is incredible, from that show. Melanie Thornton can also freaking sing. However, I don't even know about the other Pussycat Dolls, because they're just so muted all the time. The whole group is little more than a "Nicole and her sidekicks" group, and this infuriated other pussycat dolls. It also put the group in a very precarious situation, where everyone was fully dependent upon Nicole. Nicole strikes me as quite arrogant, anyhow, and she absolutely over-sings. If the group had shared singing and vocal responsibilities equally from the get go, I bet you they'd be far more successful in the end. One (wo)man shows only work if that one (wo)man possesses interpersonal skills such as humility too.

[@NeuroEverything]

Lol. Nicole has more talent in her little finger than the other dolls combined. That’s why she was front and centre. The other dolls should be grateful to her for giving them this opportunity to come along the ride. They never had talent and would have never amounted to anything anyway. I mean… like why else would they agree to a world tour in 2019 if they felt they were unjustly treated the first time round? They know they don’t come close to Nicole’s status.

[@Iconic58]

@@NeuroEverything True dat! They just hating like THEY ALWAYS DO when it comes to TRUE TALENT. Their gripes meritless. You can HEAR IT. I’ve heard the other voices. No comparison. Did you see the Simon show where he tried it with Nicole and she stood up and belted him with her voice and he slunk away. Nicole has a voice on her. God blessed her yes he did. Point Blank Period.

[@Iconic58]

@@charlotteforbes2090 This is “was” America. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’m laughing at y’all trying to to slime Nicole. Where you all are sliming saying she’s arrogant and lacks “humility” ha,ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, the infamous PCD refrain. Where you see that, I see a CONFIDENT, SECURE, TALENTED woman of color who knows her worth and was rewarded for it. As Beyonce says: Bow down witches! Bow TF down. I’m lovin this discussion because the jealousy is off the charts. But women of color are used to this type of thing and we ain’t bothered cause we know our worth.? Apparently Robin knew it too.

[@zhisu2665]

while Nicole isn't the villain, I still don't blame the other women for being so upset by spending years under a terrible contract and in Nicole's shadow, they were probably ok with the dynamic for a bit but then it became too much.

[@agj2363]

She was also.She accepted that and took all profits from that.

[@krm101]

​@@agj2363 we can say Nicole was paid better than other dolls. but Interscope and Robin is the one who earned more than the dolls it self. Nicole earning more from their songs because she co-wrote some of their songs like Buttons and I don't need a man. but saying she earned more is not f*cking true. Ron Fair and Robin Antin benefits alot from PCD during their prime time.

[@Naturefan354]

​@agj2363 She also put in most of the work by singing. She did 95% of the album so she got burned too

[@error-try-again-later]

​@@agj2363 she SHOULD have been paid more bc she was doing most of the vocal work and co-wrote some of the songs. I know it's a deeply unfair and horrible deal for the other girls but you can't deny that Nicole worked hard.

[@agwarddd]

Honestly, I can’t help but be slightly bothered by how you’d see Nicole pushing the “we’re a family” narrative, but seemingly standing by the wayside because the money and exposure was hers. No real attempt to lift up the other girls or stand up for their contributions. Just all about her.

[@IOnlySpeakTruth2]

I’m so happy you mentioned how irreplaceable the other girls were .. so many people downplay their presence within the group but there’s absolutely NO ONE who can bring the energy that KIMBERLY, CARMIT, ASHLEY, MELODY, & JESSICA brought to the PUSSYCAT DOLLS.. I find it absolutely disgusting how Robin, the label, etc treated them during the process.. as if they’re nobodies 😞 they worked HARD and deserve the recognition for what they brought to the group/brand..I will ALWAYS root for the other girls ! they are the reason I fell in love with PCD. ♥️

[@yukayuka7041]

😊

[@main2333]

Satan is a master of deception

[@heyimmagenta7310]

​@@main2333 And you're a master in delusions luv

[@lasailor7869]

Kim was my favorite

[@LadyCrystallia]

I couldn't agree more. They were unique. Everyone is unique and no one should feel like they're replaceable

[@biancaportillo6552]

as a young girl in the early 2000s i think we all loved the idea of a girl group and assumed that they’d all be close friends and collaborative artist but PCD just seemed like nicole and the same back up dancers it just didn’t feel like a friendship let alone a cohesive group where everyone shines. i think it was a mistake for robin to market the group as just a name where faces change bc if she actually tried to flesh them out with their own roles and showcase their strengths PCD would be a lot more relevant today.

[@QuirkyCercle]

Greed!😢 And now her contribution to the industry is the horrible 360 deal.🙄😒 She found a way to legalize exploitation & indentured servitude.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💩😡

[@tarotsushima3332]

Even as a kid I knew the Pussycat Dolls and Nicole but never heard the other members' names.

[@lovespeaklove]

and that is one of the biggest difference i see in western groups whether boy groups or girl groups compared to like P-Pop, J-Pop, or K-Pop.

[@whaeapaea]

I remember going to see PCD when Lady Gaga headlined for them. Ironically I enjoyed lady Gaga way more than PCD, the overall stage presence and crowd interaction was palpable. I remember my sisters and I saying to each other that Lady Gaga is definitely going to be bigger one day.

[@AminArmani]

yall are right! And look at Lady Gaga now, a megastar

[@emilyangel4real]

Idk Nicole strikes me as a show off - don't get me wrong she has a voice - but I wouldn't be surprised if she made it feel like she wanted the people at one of their concerts to know that she's the star, and the other girls ain't s***. Lady Gaga on the other hand, she's humble.

[@ellengray4046]

I went to a pussycat dolls concert years ago, and Melody kept singing over Nicole and trying to outdo her. I found it strange at the time, but makes so much sense now. Sad how they all seemed to be played off against each other for other peoples gain.

[@dennisvillaflor3359]

I guess that was during the featuring drama.

[@KingDeon]

I just want to say this, Melody was ALWAYS my favorite in the group. No she wasn’t the best dancer first album out, but it is UNDENIABLE that she ATE up the “Doll Domination” era with the dance moves! She really came into her own during that album as far as dancing! She definitely blossomed!

[@AnggaSumilir94]

Omg sooo true!!! The elevator song when she sang it is just soooo goood😭😭💙💙

[@Living42]

The one with short blonde hair was my favorite

[@KingDeon]

@@Living42 Kimberly was amazing man!

[@summermorin9425]

my favourite too!!! she definitely had something

[@etrepitchnoir729]

Her dancing was amazing for a non Professional dancer. How can you keep up with those trained dancers

[@aliciaflores7095]

I was a manager at this place Carmit would volunteer at and I got to spend some time with her and ask her to volunteer. Let me tell you, she is SOOO nice and giving. I didn’t even know she was a pcd until later. I would call her to volunteer and she was always down.

[@courtneygriffin1093]

Which one are you referring to?? Nicole?

[@_LozFromOz]

@@courtneygriffin1093 she’s talking about carmit

[@aliciaflores7095]

@@courtneygriffin1093 carmit

[@RuuBjAh1]

But honestly she did always seem like so nice and tbh, I feel like they have always kind of treated her like dirt. Cause from what I gathered, on the original PCD album, Nicole sang 90% and Melody and Carmit sang 5%. She was the original member of the group and was one of the vocalists and yet she was paid dust multiple times.

[@ashriihi]

Her name is so dumb tho

[@RebelianAngie]

the part where nicole and the other guy say nicole was the one that sung the whole pcd album by herself is so crazy to me. clearly the other members were capable of singing so why not let them? it’s like they’re acting as if the other members couldn’t sing so she was forced to sing alone when it was not true

[@kimberleywilliams7802]

That part always annoys me, like that's not the gothya you think it is...

[@Quwita]

That's exactly what I said Nicole isn't as innocent as she tries to perceive herself to be she wanted to be the main one and a solo artist eventually and if she cared about her other group members she would have mentioned them being able to take some parts of the vocals on many of those songs however she did not nobody forced her to sing everything

[@nnnn-sc2im]

not really, besides nicole only melody had good vocals

[@baiaforev2407]

I never did understand why Nicole was the only one allowed to sing even though it seems that she had a nice voice. The point of a group is that everyone gets to sing. I hate these scenarios when only one girl is put in front and the others do not get a chance to do vocals.

[@1000Neji]

Many groups are/were like PCD, Ones to be named Fifth Harmony, S Club 7, and N*Synce are the ones I can think of right now.

[@darwinlaureles]

@@1000Nejithe groups you mentioned allowed other members to have parts. Esp nsync with JC. Pcd is just 99%nicole😊

[@rocky_robinson]

Right. Even Posh Spice was allowed to sing in SG!

[@Arcessitor]

That is literally not the point of a group. Any group. Unless it's a choir. Then it is.

[@anthony_aviles1]

@@1000NejiDestiny’s Child at one point

[@cynlovespugs]

I love Robin saying the she "completely supports them going solo" and that she "gets it", when moments before she was clearly saying in a previous interview that "It never works!" and that if she "heard another girl saying she wants to go solo...." Ugh...Hollywood is so disgusting.

[@claraporch_]

She’s a bad liar 😅

[@dayleslie426]

All these years I thought the Pussycat Dolls were basically a group BUILT around Nicole 😢 I feel so bad! Those poor women! I can't imagine how being treated like a replacement must have been, especially while being worked to ☠️ like that!

[@Saffron-sugar]

I guess so. But it still looks better than most jobs and I wish they hadn’t turned against Nichole like a bunch of teenagers. Big bunch of divas.

[@Jess04x03]

@@Saffron-sugar This is what you took away from this? That Nicole is the only victim here? She is less a victim then any of the other girls.

[@masakazuhiruko550]

​@@Jess04x03all of them are equally victim. Being paid that low is not right. They worked their asses off to death

[@caroltaylormeins8631]

Dey all male

[@AyeSunny22]

You showed Ashley a couple times when referring to Kaya. 🥴 And I’m glad there’s a whole video to show how shady Robin is. Robin needed to be put in her place and realize the group was the girls, not her. She formed it. But she was not the face or the voice.

[@Euphoricbryanna]

She definitely should have just been a manager

[@davidpastuck7245]

I noticed that too, I was like "why do they keep referring to Kaya and showing Ashley"

[@Dark_Aeon]

I kinda disagree. As we heard in the video, the girls didn't even like the songs that would later become their biggest hits. So in this case, the creative direction and everything about their success was formed by managers and producers. When Nicole tried going solo, she took her project in a direction that did not resonate with the audience. And from the looks of it, Robin did steer and keep a lot of control over their tours, business ventures and everything related to the brand. She ran a successful business.

[@taylorgayhart9497]

I don’t agree, I think it is equal parts Robin and the girls project. Robin spent a decade building the brand before she met Nicole, choreographing, dance routines, making costumes, getting the brand where it was. Her work should not be ignored. But I also think that artist should have control and saying what they do. This is not black-and-white, it’s nuanced.

[@taylorgayhart9497]

@@Dark_Aeon I agree with you. I think Robin was problematic in other ways (she clearly didn’t have the girls interests in mind, only her own) but saying she was “just” the manager is just wrong. That ignores the decade she spent building the brand before even turning it into a singing group. Like if someone after 15/20 years of my hard work was able to take my name away from me, and take all the credit for my work, I’d be pissed too.

[@frederiksteffensen8699]

I’m glad you made this video, a lot of people (including myself once) believed that Nicole was the bad guy all the time. But she as well suffered. But because she was the lead singer, she had another status, but she still had a hard time like the rest of them.

[@catspaw3092]

I was like that too but quickly realized it wasn't Nicole but the people behind the Dolls that made the groups stardom take a nosedive they jst whispered things in Nicole's ear & made her look like the bad guys to the other girls.

[@WallFlower08]

Yep!! 💯

[@Bexinja]

She was sleeping with the head of Interscope records at the time. She was favoured 100% more than the other girls. Yes she was taken advantage of but she used her looks and accepted the perks from sleeping with such a powerful man

[@coconutty4808]

Nicole is magic.

[@hopiesland]

​@@Bexinjaand it helped the group in the long run. But dont slience the fact that she was taken advantage of. You dont know how she felt.

[@marias.wainwright3481]

It's so nasty of Robin to say "they shouldn't go solo because nobody makes it" when these girls clearly just wanted to have ownership of their work and feel creative. Not everything is about business but of course a greedy producer like her would think that

[@Jjangbunbun]

Its true tho…even nicoles solo didn’t work

[@tiphani6323]

I remember being in Alabama A&M university (an HBCU ) in 2004 & fell in love with thee original version/singer of the song “don’t cha”. NO documentary has EVER mentioned the fact that this song was not originally for the pussycat dolls!!! It was literally gaining popularity, then all of a sudden I remember the song blowing up with this girl group. I ALWAYS wondered how did that transpire. You guys did a superb job on researching the FACTS for this video, I’m subscribing! ❤

[@essenceofsoul27]

It always bothered me that Nicole acted like she didn't understand the frustrations of the other girls. She didn't sing everything because they were incapable they were just not given the chance.

[@courtneyboudreau4284]

Yeah because she was going along with him

[@theafricanprincess2002]

She was hored as a singer and the rest were dancers from the beginning. Wo she came in as an established singer

[@kokopium1530]

Its because she didn't. She never understood that they were frustrated because she didn't have the time and space to think about them since she's also being overworked. I do understand nicole in her perspective. The pressure falls on her when they're a group. Of course she'll feel resentment bc she feels that she's carrying everyone. Tho its definitely not the groups fault but Robyn and the label

[@Gabriellaella23]

Honestly that is what turned me off of her. I think she thought that would make her look good, but it made her look worse imo. Like why didn’t they sing. Why did you record the songs without them and play it in their face at the studio?? 🤔 why bring them to the studio just to play the songs you did without them without giving them a chance? I really don’t like how they did the other girls. If they wanted her to be a solo act they should have been up front or called the group Nicole and the PCD in the first place.

[@TyphanyGarcia]

Sounds like TLC , but with better pay overall

[@ashleyjones6086]

Melody was smart not joining the reunion tour that was canceled.

[@MzAbstractMind]

Nicole being the focal point and ONLY voice, in a GROUP, made her solo career pointless 🥴 Edit: Robyn is a looney tune. She made Nicole the solo artist of a group, refuse to give the other girls shine, then got mad the girls wanted to leave 🥴🤦🏾‍♀️

[@Indiemakeuplover]

Robyn is evil

[@amandadunn7678]

Yes, and no. W/ her solo career, she wouldn't have to divide up any money she made.

[@Nocturne22]

Robin didn't do that - the record label did. Robin wanted MELODY as lead lol.

[@Saffron-sugar]

Watching this, it doesn’t seem like a lot of girls got it at the time. They were all turning against Nicole, and she wasn’t the real problem. Honestly, I think us women would get further faster if we didn’t turn on each other so quick

[@valerieproctor7366]

I 100% agree with you!

[@claytonbouldin9381]

33:35 - She is a real piece of work. How do you know their solo career wouldn't take off? Sounds like she is more upset the girls weren't staying in PCD, getting paid peanuts, while being slowly run into the ground mentally, physically and emotionally.

[@KarenanneT]

I agree. I cannot stand that woman 🙄

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

She's mad her slaves got out.

[@hihowareya4004]

As a kid it always felt like “okay here’s Nicole and some back up dancers” the other girls never got a chance to shine individually within the group. It was always just Nicole

[@_birdie]

To this day I’m still surprised every time I hear Nicole sing. She’s so unbelievably good, like insanely good… but we only ever heard her sing pussycat doll songs.

[@thuaug4417]

She’s got an o-kay voice, nothing special. She became popular bc she’s cute and old men wanted to bend her over. That’s pretty much the whole story.

[@semajjphilly88]

That’s not true. She had a solo career after. I think she had a song with T.I.

[@kerrypeters4724]

Tap in her name on her her albums pop up

[@326lindsey]

She was originally in another group, if I'm not mistaken.

[@AllyKat1991]

I LOVEEEEEE your love by her and a few others @@326lindsey

[@estopesto2647]

As someone who's had a c-section, performing like that after 7 weeks makes me cringe so badly 😬😬😬😬

[@valenvlogs9747]

It's sad to see that everything ended because the only two people who were benefiting from the reunion kinda screwed up the rest 😪

[@inezkestens5561]

It's kinda creepy how the narrative is "This is exploitative", "They were used by a bunch of executives", "The artists themselves had little power" .... and yet this reminds me so much of how Kpop groups are created and managed these days ... so the end conclusion is if you're a young artist and love what you do someone is going to profit from your talent and if they put you in a group there are going to play out the members against each other :3

[@abelhapedras]

exactly hahahah it instantly reminded me of kpop. "the record company and the manager get all the money and the performers themselves are merely salaried workers"... so... exactly like kpop? xD oh there's favoritism? unfair line distribution? just like in kpop...

[@derayfasio7798]

I truly believe that the K-Pop industry is using the Lou Pearlman template for boy bands

[@TheSlipperyNUwUdle]

I think kpop is even more insane. I’ve heard they make them get plastic surgery before they even debut. And if they’re not successful they still have to pay all the plastic surgery fees. I know you could say “oh, they know that going into it” but Kpop trainees start as young teenagers. Can anyone make a big life decision like that at 12? I wouldn’t trust my 12 year old self to make huge life decisions.

[@carina73b]

I don't blame Nicole for the end of the group. She was trying to do what Beyonce did. She wanted to go solo since the beginning but it didn't go as she envisioned. The group manager should be responsible for creating a team instead of focusing only on Nicole. Having the manager being the one who wanted Nicole to shine above the others was the problem.

[@beepbopboop7727]

Destiny’s Child shared the vocals and limelight. And they respected each other. Don’t even compare them.

[@carina73b]

@@beepbopboop7727 "say Beyonceeeeeeee say Beyonceeeeeeee say beyonceeeee" 🎵

[@carina73b]

@@GameLover-pz5zc I agree with you, but there was a favoritism is what I'm saying

[@MaxieTheMenace]

Sure seems like Robin was butthurt that SHE couldn’t make it being a star on her own so she had to enlist others to do it for her that actually had talents she could use to her advantage. That’s why she got so annoyed when some of the girls would leave wanting to start a solo career and she said that never works out 🤣 maybe not for you Robin.

[@MandyMeowington5]

Exactly!! Everything about this group from its inception just seemed like one big power trip for her

[@isabellajensen9480]

Cheryl Cole criticising Melody's vocals around 22mins is rich 😂 Cheryl, I love you but stay humble girl

[@jdorecouture16]

Like 😑 I like Cheryl, but she's no singer..

[@emmalee9747]

You would have thought that Cheryl’s performance at the Queen’s Jubilee would have humbled her. One of the worst vocal performances I have ever heard.

[@avocadorable9821]

Cheryl cole is a nasty predator. She groomed a kid and waited till he was older to have a kid. SICKO

[@silentreader77]

@@jdorecouture16 she's a nobody. She even criticized Britney's vocal in Graffiti My Soul demo

[@eo0-g9j]

she annoys me

[@duck9886]

I sure Nicole felt uncomfortable a lot of the time because they thought she had all the control when really it’s management.

[@Bexinja]

They knew her position. She was sleeping with the big boss the whole time.

[@av2018]

@Bexinja yep, she had her own tour bus with then boy toy Talon Toreiro, a scrub in Laguna Beach, while the others shared a tour bus.

[@vanniking33]

@@Bexinjawith ron flair omggggggggg

[@kezziahvalentino2450]

Robin: I don’t wanna hear “i wanna go solo” anymore ugh” Also Robin: Some of the girls wanted to go solo and I support them on that.

[@jamesroselihespinosa1555]

This is actually what we are explaining to some PCD fans that keep blaming Nicole for everything. She was not the problem in the first place, it has always been Robin and Interscope. All of them are hired as workers for the brand but Robin did not expect that all the girls will establish loyal PCD fans all through out the years. Robin may be thinking the girls are replaceable during the early years but she was wrong, THE GIRLS ARE THE BRAND. WITHOUT THE ORIGINAL RECORDING LINE-UP, NOBODY WILL SUPPORT PCD.

[@jenn4593]

I don’t know about that because I wouldn’t even be able to recognize the other girls on their own. They were too much in the background. If they were replaced, I probably would not have noticed that much, much less cared, except for Melody. She was noticeable and so pretty 😊

[@jeraldisme]

Nicole was looking to leave Eden's Crush but it's also important to note the group disbanded because the label went bankrupt.

[@jaehyunsjeans]

Yesss, I've been waiting for there to be a deep dive video on the history of the Pussycat Dolls. I feel like their impact and their split isn't talked about enough.

[@CrunkKitty1]

Melody, even when i was a 12-13 year old when they first came out, was my favourite. her vocals reminded me of my x tina qho was my favourite of all time artist. there’s a song that is on doll domination called “takin over the world” and there’s an unreleased version where melody’s vocals are front and centre vs the released version and i love it so much more.

[@dylancowan2075]

it's the fact that even nicole was shocked at how little involvement the other girls were allowed on the album

[@seekingmarbles9288]

Wow, finding/collecting all these interview pieces and editing them together to this fantastic documentary... amazing job! my attention span usually doesn't allow me to watch something that's longer than 3 min 😅👍🏻 well done! 🎉

[@f33rcetv34]

I remember seeing the Doll Domination tour in my city- with Lady Gaga supporting people came for Lady Gaga and then LEFT for PCD - i was shocked

[@katiad4140]

I think there may have been lack of sisterhood amongst the girls - possibly because of Robin's narcissistic management tactics. Even Nicole looks so much more approachable at the start of her career than now. Nsync had similar issues with their managers and successfully took them to court.

[@MsJubjubbird]

Nsync is interesting in that they had planned for JC to be the front man (no group has all its members as totally equal. Every group has a Harry Styles or a Nick Carter). But then Justin started dating Britney and they decided he would be better at selling records.

[@sairalovesfilm]

​@@MsJubjubbirdlol that's definitely not what happened 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@sairalovesfilm yeah it is. For example, their older videos feature JC way more than their later ones

[@sairalovesfilm]

@MsJubjubbird yeah, no, it did not happen like that. I'm an NSync fan, and I lived thru that time. So I was there. Justin & JC were the lead singers of the group. Britney had NOTHING to do with the decision to feature Justin more. Justin just started writing and producing more. There was never any competition between the two. NSync was WAY bigger than Britney Spears, and then Britney became famous. Justin & Britney were dating way before the public knew about it. Britney had NO SWAY over NSyncs career.

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@sairalovesfilm Nah they did. They obviously didn't tell their fans. But they did a documentary on it later and it was revealed then. The idea was that Justn's stage mommy was involved with the group so they had to feature him some. But JC was the more mature looking hot one so he would be the main man. But then Britney became bigger than Ben Hurr so they pushed Justin further out the front and JC became one of the lineup at the back.

[@akiko7298]

So they brought in Melody to sing and use her unique voice and then barely used her and tried to turn her into a dancer?! That's so bad. The contract style though sounds like most kpop groups: the group is owned by the company who also owns the brand, the merch, etc., and the actual performers don't make much, at least not for most of them

[@SaraBethSingsxo]

Yes, Don't Cha was an "overnight smash hit" but don't forget, it was syndicated, it was marketed. Don't underestimate what that kind of powered backing will do

[@noranishikawa7271]

I always found it odd that the other girls didn’t sing at all despite them being a group. The Pussycat Dolls were huge when I was growing up. Even as a kid I always thought are the other girls gonna sing? Then the end of the song would come and I was like “I guess not” Carmit always stood out to me❤

[@RachelJayne92]

Nicole needs the girls, otherwise no one cares about her. Her solo career tanked. The dolls need Nicole because for whatever reason - she’s the face of the group.

[@nicoleharrington9086]

She thought she was all that until her solo numbers humbled her

[@tjsquibbofficial]

I honestly think PCD could survive without Nicole, they just need Melody back. Melody & Carmit would obviously be the main leads but I know they would look out for the best interests of the other girls.OT5 PCD without Nicole would be epic.

[@bimbam9603]

​@@nicoleharrington9086 why is she a villain tho?

[@uswish.]

Nicole is incredibly talented

[@jamesbishop2000]

Yet she’s literally on a hit tv show and where are the other girls exactly

[@mannygecko9596]

The entertainment industry is so shady. I don't understand. These artists just want to sing dance, act, whatever, and they're all taken advantage of. It's crazy to me. I've always wanted to be an entertainer, it's my dream. But at what cost?. My soul, my integrity, my peace of mind, my mental health. Is this really worth it? It's crazy.

[@kaya_inNC]

You answered the question with your comment People will gain the world but lose their soup for less than money, have you noticed that?

[@claraporch_]

Everything needs a sacrifice,unfortunately…😢

[@beatsventura8813]

You decide how far you're willing to go, but remember, there will always be someone else who is willing to go further. It just depends on what you want to accomplish, and with so many aspiring stars, the one who is willing to sell their soul for fake will go the farthest. It's just how it is, doesn't make it right.

[@kjgfdsa3577]

I was obsessed with that Search For The Next Doll show, and Girlicious. I still listen to those covers

[@MrsMoofy]

Me too!!!!!

[@jasonleetharn]

It feels iffy to see nicole saying she sang 95% of the record and that that the other dolls didn’t do anything, only hearing the songs after she finished singing them. Nicole & the dudes talking make it seem like the other girls were useless/refuse to do anything, as if it’s as much THEIR fault and not the label. It sucks that she was overworked and underpaid, but it’s insane that she seems to believe that the other girls did not suffer as much as she did.

[@Chun-believable]

Ashley was always my favorite, and Melody was my very very close second favorite. But I’m not one of the delusional fans that thinks it’s okay how people disrespected Nicole and talked shit about her. Or that any of the other dolls were outperforming Nicole. There were dolls that could dance and sing well (Carmit, Ashley, Jessica). A doll that could definitely sing but wasn’t the strongest dancer (Melody). And a doll that could dance her ass off but wasn’t a great singer (Kimberly). But there was Nicole who could do both effortlessly. They weren’t outperforming her. Side Note: That one interview with Nicole is annoying. That guy was so rude.

[@katmorgo1892]

the whole damn group’s idea is sexist and capitalist ick. Robin Anton is one step ahead of the pimp label.

[@Irgoe]

Robin Antin wasn't as smart as she thought. She really discounted the women and thought they were replaceable. If she just treated them decent, she would still have a strong brand. Nicole should have had their back too because she probably bought into her own hype and thought she didn't need them to be a success. Melody's outburst always makes me emotional. You can hear how upset she is and who could blame her? A separate feature for Nicole is such an insult when they all have to put in the same work for the stage. They eat right to look the part, train as hard and get up at the same time to reherse. All for nothing. F that. It was total abuse. I'd like to think if this was done now it would be a controversy.

[@oceanharmony9]

I remember when I found out that all the vocals were Nicole only and I was shocked. I know she was the front girl but she was never my favorite. But I did like her as a judge on xfactor

[@nicoleharrington9086]

Lol we caught that waaaay earlier, I thought it wasn't fair.

[@spooningbards9138]

What we're not going to do is blame Nicole - she wasn't the person who decided to take on the entire brunt of the vocals, and she similarly signed her freedom and life over just as much as the other girls did, yet people have bullied her over it when being the center only ostracized her and made her feel alone. They were all treated horribly.

[@catieq5270]

Bye girl. Nicole was also part of the problem and she got her karma thinking her solo career was going to take off.

[@GraceLeo-mc4rr]

​@@catieq5270 Well did other girls solo career took off? Are they now more succeeful than Nicole since..according to you she was the problem? 😏

[@catieq5270]

@@GraceLeo-mc4rr did you just read what you wanted? I literally said she was PART of the problem. She’s not entirely responsible but she did play a role in the division of the girls.

[@GraceLeo-mc4rr]

@@catieq5270 How did she play a role in the division and became part of the problem in which others weren't doing the same thing? 😏

[@catieq5270]

@@GraceLeo-mc4rr she never stood up for the other girls and knew they favored her. She sang every song and wasn’t even the best singer in the group. She was just the most marketable. Go look more into it.

[@sherric8296]

I had no idea how amazing Nicole's voice was until she sang Jennifer Holliday's Dreamgirls song on the X factor

[@cbau2058]

Nicole may have been centre stage, but my eyes were always drawn to the other girls. Their presence, talent and charisma were undeniable!

[@jeraldisme]

The truth about Jai Ho is Nicole was asked to record that song. The label wanted to put the PCD name on it to gain popularity and sales but Nicole also wanted credit for her work. That's why they put the Featuring Nicole Scherzinger. I also vaguely remember at one point Hush Hush Hush Hush was also billed as Featuring Nicole Scherzinger

[@Irgoe]

Yes that's why Melody spoke out. I think it was a separate EP or reissue of their album and both new singles were FT Nicole. So it was obvious the step the label were going in... So insulting lmao

[@jeraldisme]

@@Irgoe yup it was insulting that they didn't want to give Nicole credit for the work she did. I fully agree

[@NONAME-hz1se]

@@jeraldisme missed the plot

[@jeraldisme]

@@NONAME-hz1se no I caught it. I just don't agree with whatever they were trying to imply. Catch that

[@plastermiodu]

Jai ho was way better in original, pcd or Nicole were unnececery

[@tincanJPEG]

Today on "I never knew..." Pure gold again from the Deep dive team! I knew I subbed for a reason. Love your work!

[@tincanJPEG]

Finished watching, point still stands!

[@ironshieldmaiden7822]

A Deep Dive and a Study Break in the same day! It feels like a holiday 🧚🏾‍♀️

[@DeepDiveProductions]

It’s a deep dive/study break marathon! And tomorrow 2 more! A BJ Investigation and a Secret Society video!

[@audriie]

I got so excited! 🎉

[@Idontparticipate]

God bless you all for this shower of content 🙏😭

[@elyssa.cranford]

​@@DeepDiveProductions Yall rock, do you guys have any socials we can follow?

[@burakcetav]

PCD were a significant part of my teen years, remember those times makes me feel sad that its now gone. I loved those times, and I will always remember PCD being my rush of fun and energy. Its definitely nostalgic looking back.

[@ayz590]

Why don't Nicole and the girls start their own production company with all equal shares. They now clearly have the talent, creativity, power and connections to do that. It would be the biggest plot twist ever, an improved PCD 2.0 with potential to take over the world again freeing themselves from invisible shackles.

[@lovleyloner1487]

I loved them growing up they symbolized girl power and beauty to me as a little girl but as an adult this was nothing to look up too this was exploitive 😮. I’m shocked but also not suprised because countless times Hollywood has shown it’s true colors.

[@kaya_inNC]

Where were your parents?

[@stealthis]

​@@kaya_inNC yes lol. Lyrics like "I'll give a BEEP, keep playing with your BEEP"

[@canigetawater]

​@@kaya_inNCyou're such a tool

[@MsMassiel11]

Nicole gives mean girl vibes, buts she’s so talented.

[@strawberrylime33]

I find it interesting that when melody auditioned for the group, they liked her, and wanted her to join, but then they still went looking for a "front" girl. Like, I guess she wasn't considered right for the front position? Considering jimmy iovine was part of this decision, I'm not surprised.

[@gladiatorinsweats]

She didn't have any prior dance experience, I assume that's why. They wanted someone who could lead sing *and* dance well.

[@aporue5893]

they were seriously iconic.It's a shame they were treated so badly.

[@miangairie]

I remember watching the search for the next doll as a kid and rooting for Asia, because she was so talented and seemed nice. She also had a baby at the time I think. I was so happy when she won, then the show ended and I never heard about her again and they never did a second season to search for another doll. It's a shame how they sabotaged this group

[@vanniking33]

it was revealed that she didn’t need to join the group/ she did signed a nda and did get money for it

[@eraldadevole]

Wtf is wrong with all the people still blaming nicole? Did they not watch the same video as the rest of us? She had no power up until the reuinion that didn’t end up happening. She was employed same as the other girls and only got payed more because she was doing all the singing still not nearly as she should have been and it wasn’t her decision to be the only singer.

[@Saffron-sugar]

I agree. It makes me sad when women group together, get jealous and create a scapegoat (in this case Nichole) rather than holding together and taking on the actual issue. Women should support each other and stop behaving like high school mean girls.

[@silentreader77]

She deserves it

[@Blumoon_vii]

no, don't lie

[@shin_uu]

LOL she literally loved the attention she got and never stood up for the dolls

[@TheTrixster690]

​@@shin_uuShe even had her own tour bus.

[@valleyofthedawlz]

Melody's voice was wasted in this group. They should have given her parts in thier songs.

[@Yeaster]

Poor Jessica. The reason I liked React so much was because you could actually hear the other women on the backgrounds, and the acoustic performances were sublime. It seemed the group had learned its lesson and made me so excited for what was to come. But a las...

[@keboonplumeria5266]

Very sad when Nicole get the bad reputation caused by these poorly desicion maker. She worked her bu++ off to be guess judges, amateur venues, hotel shows and basically flipping everywhere just to showcase her talent. And then this whole things were mirrored back frequently at her. I really respect her resilient and professional way she handled the whole issues and slowly paving away by delving onto more lucrative side of entertainment coz man.... The deal actually give her nothing and even so to 4 other members! It actually, as if somehow painted the wrong lights for them despite they are all talented singer on their own right

[@TM-kh7el]

I feel bad for Nicole. You can tell she was put in an awkward position and she doesnt do well with conflict.

[@pw6160]

I hate that the girls never felt the need to confront the people in charge like Robin, but would publicly bash Nicole! She was a cast member too and she played the role she was hired to play. The group members had all of this animosity towards the wrong person!

[@_vikie09]

you have to keep in mind that they (management) made it seem like it was nicoles fault and to nicole they made seem like it was the girls fault. this way they would remain divided amongst themselves. also it’s understandable that nicole isn’t the one to blame here i agree w that, she also suffered herself, but as the girls who were in the group, they would bash nicole because nicole also was only looking out for herself and wasn’t like a sister to the other girls. she didn’t have their back when she should have because they were all being used. it’s just sad how they played them against eachother.

[@sugarsmacks250]

It's really sad because they turn group members against each other even though PCD were put together and it wasn't a actual genuine friendship from the start it still doesn't make it ok for them to ruin what could have been this has been going on since The Supremes you have to be very strong to not let the next person change how you feel about someone you consider a friend

[@TheFemaleKenny]

Nicole had some form of power and control and could’ve hated some of her light with them and could’ve pushed atleast Mel who has musical background to get her ass in the studio too to share that part of their work

[@alonelypotato2788]

​@@_vikie09 classic devide and conquer strategy

[@_vikie09]

@@alonelypotato2788 exactly

[@cammymc1982]

The album ''Her Name is Nicole'' came out here in Toronto Canada... It's really crazy how I never realized that I never heard the other Dolls speaking voice outside of Nicole's, their speaking voice and singing voice are both beautiful.

[@cainex9578]

I need that album

[@cammymc1982]

@mystiquebutterfly Nope, it was released out here in a store called HMV, they was selling it for $19.99.

[@Gizelle-ov5dl]

@@cammymc1982HMV! Memories. 😂

[@wandamcmillan9355]

This is what happens when someone copies how the cheerleaders are treated. Bust it for next to nothing. These ladies deserve so much more...live and learn.

[@heathergreer9919]

I saw a few videos about how cheerleaders are actually treated an I was so shocked! I couldn't believe how little they made, how badly they were worked an just everything that went with it 😳🤢

[@BenCaesar]

Props to the Dolls for keeping composure when asked difficult questions

[@evieemjay8052]

This is SO well edited thank you!

[@kevonnicouture]

Melody is a really talented vocalist. I wish we could get some solo stuff from her.

[@auntyamelia6906]

She has a song called Sweet Vendetta

[@tjsquibbofficial]

She has a Mixtape and an EP, check them out.

[@Georgiaas9]

She’s currently playing Whitney in the Bodyguard musical in the UK and killing it!

[@angelrmz8264]

She has released songs already, lioness eyes, goodbye to happiness, and my personal favorites I Will wait and love will return

[@kaijunasan4497]

I LOVED these girls growing up and still do !!✊❤ I'll admit for the longest time Nicole was my favorite, but this was extremely well made. I never knew what happened behind closed doors, from seeing Melanie's rant on stage to the fact Nicole had personal problems. Truth is all of em were victims. The girls deserved the spotlight as much as Nicole. And like everybody else I'm P!$$ED COVID ruined their comeback tour

[@Serena-Vanderwoodsen]

Personally, I’m glad they didn’t have a comeback. Some things are best to be left alone as it’s had it’s time to shine.

[@samanderson6194]

They're ñrodtiturss

[@m3gstarrr436]

i really love these videos. people love to judge people in the limelight for every little thing but they don't understand how hard it is

[@jameslarsen1728]

So I didn't imagine it starting in the 90's. Thank you for doing this story. I've always wondered about the group.

[@thejacksbopcity]

This is a good breakdown of the group. I did notice though that when talking about Kaya Jones you are using photos of Ashley.

[@ritadepeeves]

Thank you! Thought I was going mad lol

[@jenn4593]

That just goes to show how unrecognizable they truly were since they were always part of the background. Today, in a video about them, the creator does not even know who they are.

[@fashionista.talenista96]

Melody's voice got deep. I remember when I was in grammar school, her voice was high pitched. Time flew maaan. Damn. So Nicole was the top Leader here. I'm so glad she recovered I always Loved her Long Notes.

[@jenn4593]

I wonder why her voice got deep.

[@LWalks64]

So pretty much Robin Antin is the female version of Lou Pearlman

[@Shay416]

😯

[@marciasilva549]

See, this is what happens a lot of the time when young artists go into the industry. They're trying to find their way and will accept almost anything that could mean a chance at their big break. The girls were treated unfairly, never really given a chance and that's on Robin. Nicole was also very young and didn't have as much power as people seem to think she did. She was a puppet and a girl chasing success; speaking up or stepping out of line could've potentially cost her her career. Melody had so much potential that they tried very hard to keep her down. Carmit, Ashley, Jessica and Kim - all of them stars that weren't allowed to shine as bright as they could've. However, let's be honest here: Nicole was and has always been the most talented. She was extremely hardworking and an all-rounder - she was beautiful, could sing, dance, was incredibly charismatic and had amazing stage presence. Melody has NEVER been a better singer than Nicole as some of you are saying. Nicole can literally do opera. Robin did the girls wrong, that's a fact. Nicole benefitted more than the other girls, that's a fact, but lying and trying to diminish her talent serves no purpose. As for her flopped solo career... There's A LOT that goes into a solo artist. You need to get so many things right: the right team, the right publicity, the right songs, the right image, the right timing. Imagine Nicole Scherzinger with the kind of backing Rihanna had? (for the record, I still don't think it would've worked because I personally think Rihanna is more creative with a unique personal identity.)

[@LaquetaHodge]

Robin underestimated Melody, Jessica, Ashley, Kimberly, & Carmit's positions within the group. They were pushed to the back, but true fans didn't want another lineup even if Nicole was still around bcs everything centered around one person was a reason everyone left.

[@kaylenet246]

PCD worked so hard, their choreography alone is HIGH IMPACT Cardio. Each Doll made PCD a huge success.

[@mynameisnotgirl8184]

This is all cute, but I’m going to believe ELISE NEAL who has previously claimed that Robin Antin STOLE the idea of PCD from a burlesque-like show which SHE used to perform regularly.

[@isagrace4260]

There are many burlesque groups & productions though - not sure what she would have stolen unless it was literally members

[@megaroni7]

This videos are always so well put together , very entertaining!

[@dariadari3370]

Sad they didn't give more lyric to sing to Melody and Carmit. I loved their voices.

[@spacedancer7511]

Nicole sounded a mess in that audition, singing I will always love you.

[@JaeLshae30]

Exactly 😂

[@josephlafrain2259]

I think Nicole was an amazing choice as a front woman, she’s so pretty and rare for a woman of her physique to be represented so loudly, and famously. The other girls deserved airtime too, though.

[@welikekash]

Really? Considering her physique was the common beauty standard in that time lol

[@KatMarBax]

The clip of Girls Aloud slagging them off is always hilarious 😂

[@roccafille]

They shouldn't be saying much 😏

[@av2018]

RIP Sarah Harding

[@bloodandempire]

It sucks that they felt like they needed to sign such a ridiculous contract. It reminds me of a lot of k pop groups are treated by the industry

[@bloodandempire]

How*

[@at.8887]

fr, it made me think that THAT is actually the first ever "kpop" group of what we see today

[@DastardlyKiss]

The martini glass performance clips you included weren't The Pussycat Dolls. It's one Dita Von Teese's signature acts.

[@bestmelikes]

It was a recreation/homage of that.

[@Cam_1986]

Robin completely knocked off the idea from actress Elise Neal. Elise had a group called "Elise Neal and Assorted Flavors" with the exact same concept before PCD even had a show or was even a group.

[@MrBibi86]

*I knew the money was bad when I saw one of the Dolls apartment it wasn't the nicest and this was after about 7 top 10 hit songs*

[@i.g.m2884]

Nicole is not the villain here, its the people on top who made all their decision

[@LoveK1]

I agree. She was contractually obligated to do what they said just like the other girls.

[@revben]

She is the one who wanted 75% not 49%

[@av2018]

It’s the way she acted that made fans hate her. It’s me, myself and I. Rinse and repeat.

[@최지영-y6e]

Oh please, did you hear her saying “I sang EVERYTHING, and then the others were brought in to listen. Do YoU gEt iT??” She was sleeping with the boss to get favors and then also tried to play like they forced her to do most of the singing. She thought she didn’t need the others but she did. If she didn’t need them her solo career wouldn’t have flopped. She’s a narcissist who is talented but she burned all her bridges.

[@LadyPisces96]

I was waiting for "Deep Dive" to drop this! It was unavoidable. As a teen, I enjoyed listening to Pussycat Dolls songs so much. I still think they're good. I followed them up close and I knew something was off because only Nicole sang, but I had no idea it was this deep. The moment Jessica suffered an injury during Doll Domination Tour and they didn't support her at all, that's when I stopped listening. Few months later, the group fell apart. It's just sad they had to go through so much abuse. I feel sorry for all the members (Nicole included). They all were explored and abused, one way or another.

[@Jeyc333]

Robin Antin is such a villain omg😭 and I’m weak at Cheryl “not a note in her head” Cole insulting Melody like girl bye🤣🤣

[@xragdoll5662]

Cheryl Cole, the woman who got through the audition on pop stars based on how ‘gorgeous’ her skin is lol 🙈🙈

[@nikemaraje5]

She's delusional

[@509wildflower]

PCD is ICONIC and there’s been nothing like it since with that level of success IMO. I still sing “don’tcha” in my head 😂 It’s unfortunate that none of them seemed to make it big going solo