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Pussycat Dolls Biography

The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop quintet, and dance and burlesque ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995. The group began as a dance troupe based in Los Angeles, before being "re-cast" as a music group in 2003. The group released their first single in 2004, and have gone on to international commercial success. The group is currently preparing to release their second studio album Doll Domination on September 16, 2008.

Sources claim that Robin Antin began exploring the idea of a modern burlesque troupe in 1993 with her friend Christina Applegate.[3][4] The dance troupe's first performance was in 1995. During this period, they performed with numerous guest vocalists, with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960s pop standards while dressed in lingerie or old-fashioned pin-up costumes. They secured a Thursday night residency at Los Angeles nightclub The Viper Room, where they stayed from 1995 - 2001. The troupe received wider press coverage in June 1999, when Playboy ran a Pussycat Dolls pictorial, featuring at least seven contemporary members. Three years later, the Dolls moved to The Roxy. The group became internationally popular and was featured in magazines, television specials for MTV and VH1, ad campaigns, and movies. Some of the Pussycat Dolls appeared in the 2002 film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, dancing to "The Pink Panther Theme".

Along with Applegate, Christina Aguilera and Carmen Electra (who was the group's lead performer for many of their shows) the troupe was featured in a Maxim Magazine shoot in 2002,[5] which increased public interest in them. Following this wider popularity, and with the involvement of music producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair, the Pussycat Dolls were re-cast, transformed into a pop recording group, and became employees of Iovine's label Interscope Records. The only troupe member who remained after the re-casting process was Carmit Bachar. Electra, when asked about her lack of involvement with the group's evolution into a pop group, said: "I was part of the Dolls for over two years and did every show with them... but financially, I couldn't become part of their new music project... It was a sacrifice I couldn't make."[6] However, she did make a cameo appearance in the music video for "Don't Cha". In late 2003, Electra formed another burlesque troupe called The Bombshell Babies, which included ex-Dolls Staci Flood and Nadine Ellis.

At least one early member of the L.A. dance troupe, Rachel Sterling, made the move to the Las Vegas show.

In parallel to the Pussycat Dolls as a recording R&B act, in April 2005 a resident live show commenced at the "Pussycat Dolls Lounge" adjacent to Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. This show contains "cast members" who continue the burlesque-style show which began in Los Angeles in 1995. The cast includes vocalist Jamie Preston[8], Cindy[8], Hayley[8], Amanda Nowak[8], Colby[9], Bridgy[9] and Jamie Ruiz from Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious has recently joined the group[9]. Former dolls include Mallory[10], Jen[10], Loreli[10], Victoria[10], Rosa[10], Marcea[10], Rita[10], Jessica Lea[11], Rachel Sterling, Laura Dianel, Laurel and Alicia between others. The venue is operated by Pure Management Group, Robin Antin has some involvement, but it is unclear whether Interscope also has a financial interest. The Pussycat Dolls recording group have made occasional appearances.

In February 2007, Caesars Palace opened the Pussycat Dolls Casino located across from the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. It features "Dolls-style" decor and attire for the gaming staff, waitresses and dancers.

In 2003, Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, and Cameron Diaz — then starring in Charlie's Angels — did a guest spot with the Dolls. After Electra's departure, "Special guests" have often been utilized in the dance troupe shows, including: Gwen Stefani[13][14]; Christina Aguilera (May 2002); Jaime Pressly (June 2004); Vivica A. Fox (August 2004); Eva Longoria (April 2005); Kelly Osbourne (January 2006); Nicolette Sheridan (February 2006); Salma Hayek (March 2006); Pamela Anderson (April 2006); Denise Richards (June 2006); Jennifer Aniston (November 2006); Kelly Rowland (January 2007); Tori Spelling (September 2007); Meagan Good (December 2007); Paris Hilton (February 2008):[15] and Audrina Patridge (March 2008) as well as Pussycat Doll hopeful Chelsea Korka.[16] Pop star Willa Ford was a guest Doll in 2006. Victoria Beckham will reportedly perform with the Dolls in 2008, and a performance with Lil' Kim was put on hold due to the rapper's personal issues and was rescheduled for summer 2008.

Source: Wikipedia