Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll

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Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
Pcd12341.JPG
Created by Robin Antin
Starring Pussycat Dolls
Robin Antin
Lil' Kim
Ron Fair
Mark McGrath Contestants
Anastacia McPherson
Asia Nitollano
Brittany Diorio
Chelsea Korka
Jaime Benjamin
Mariela Arteaga
Melissa Reyes
Melissa Smith
Sisely Treasure
Opening theme Don't Cha
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network The CW
ReleaseMarch 6 (2007-03-06) 
April 24, 2007 (2007-04-24)

Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is the first season of Pussycat Dolls Present that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and aired for a total of eight weeks.

Contents

Filmed from September to November 2006 as a joint venture between Ken Mok's 10x10 Entertainment, Pussycat LLC, Interscope A&M Records, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and Warner Horizon Television, the series followed a group of young women as they went through an audition process to join the girl group, the Pussycat Dolls. The contestants, who also lived together during the series, were groomed by the group's founder and the series' creator and co-producer, Robin Antin, and were judged on their vocal and dancing ability. The winner went on to join the Pussycat Dolls as the act's seventh member, and appeared in the series but performed with the group only once before opting to go solo.

In the United Kingdom, the show aired on T4 (the Channel 4 weekend teenage block programming slot) on April 1, 2007. In Australia, the show aired on Network Ten on April 1, 2007.

Finalists

NameAgeHometownOutcome
Brittany Diorio20 Woodbridge, Virginia Eliminated in Episode 2
Jaime Benjamin20 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Eliminated in Episode 3
Sisely Treasure 24 Los Angeles, California Eliminated in Episode 4
Mariela Arteaga24 Miami, Florida Eliminated in Episode 5
Anastacia McPherson23 San Francisco, California Eliminated in Episode 6
Melissa Smith 24 Toronto, Ontario Eliminated in Episode 7
Chelsea Korka20 Cooper City, Florida Eliminated in Episode 8
Melissa Reyes18 Sacramento, California Runner-up
Asia Nitollano 18 Harlem, New York Winner

Makeovers

Elimination Chart

Colour key
  Contestant was team captain that week.
  Contestant was immune from elimination.
  Contestant won a prize but did not win immunity.
  Contestant was eliminated.
  Contestant won the competition.
Robin Antin's Call-Out Order
Order12345678
1AnastaciaAsiaMelissa S.MarielaAsiaMelissa R.Melissa R.Asia
2MarielaJaimeAnastaciaChelseaMelissa R.ChelseaAsiaMelissa R.
3SiselyAnastaciaMarielaAnastaciaMelissa S.AsiaChelseaChelsea
4BrittanyMarielaAsiaMelissa R.AnastaciaMelissa S.Melissa S.Eliminated (Episode 7)
5Melissa S.Melissa R.Melissa R.AsiaChelseaAnastaciaEliminated (Episode 6)
6JaimeChelseaChelseaMelissa S.MarielaEliminated (Episode 5)
7Melissa R.SiselySiselySiselyEliminated (Episode 4)
8AsiaMelissa S.JaimeEliminated (Episode 3)
9ChelseaBrittanyEliminated (Episode 2)

Notes:

Performances

Episodes

Episode 1: The Auditions

The 18 semi-finalist are given songs as follow:

ArtistGroupSongResults
Sisely1"Hot Stuff (I Want You Back)"Safe
BrittanySafe
MarielaSafe
ShauntaeEliminated
Melissa S.Safe
CatherineEliminated
Jaime2"Buttons"Safe
KelliEliminated
EwaEliminated
Melissa R.Safe
SandraEliminated
AsiaSafe
Anjelia3"I Don't Need a Man"Eliminated
ChelseaSafe
JasminEliminated
AnastaciaSafe
NataschaEliminated
RobynEliminated

Rehearsal does not go smoothly, as Anjelia gets sick, and Sisely struggles with her group because she doesn't want to rehearse too late to preserve her energy. Sandra and the members of the "Hot Stuff" group struggle with their vocals while Chelsea and Shauntae struggle with their dancing. The girls are then taken to a Pussycat Dolls concert and meet the Dolls. On the way back home and overnight Jaime, Ewa, Chelsea, Sandra, Melissa S., Mariela, Natascha and Jasmin all get sick, while a now-cured Anjelia rehearses with Anastacia. On their performance, despite being sick, the girls wow the judges and Nicole Scherzinger except for the group who performed "I Don't Need a Man". After deliberation, the nine finalists are called.

Episode 2: Welcome to the Dollhouse

The girls move in and after a video message by the Dolls (like each week), are given their song assignment as follows:

ArtistGroupSongResults
Asia Nitollano1"Crazy in Love"Safe
Chelsea KorkaSafe
Melissa SmithBottom 2
Anastacia McPherson2"Pon De Replay"Safe
Sisely TreasureSafe
Melissa ReyesSafe
Mariela Arteaga3"1, 2 Step"Safe
Jaime BenjaminSafe
Brittany DiorioEliminated

They are then taken to a restaurant where they discover their first challenge will be exotic dancing in a class cage in the restaurant. Despite Jaime overcoming her lack of confidence, Asia wins immunity. During rehearsal, Brittany is criticized for "dancing like a stripperella" while Jaime struggles with her vocals. At the performance, Ron and Kim are introduced as judges and Melissa S. forgets her words but Brittany is eventually eliminated for her overtly sexual moves.

Episode 3: The Transformation

The girls get a makeover by Jonathan Antin, [1] Robin's brother and taken to a dinner with the judges. The girls embrace their new looks, especially Jaime who says the makeover boosted her self-confidence. In the challenge, the girls go into the recording studio singing the chorus of "Don't Cha" and despite Mariela's vocal improvement, Melissa S. wins immunity. The girls perform as follows:

ArtistGroupSongResults
Melissa Smith1"Free Your Mind"Safe
Asia NitollanoSafe
Mariela ArteagaSafe
Anastacia McPhersonSafe
Jaime Benjamin2"Heartbreaker"Eliminated
Sisely TreasureBottom 2
Chelsea KorkaSafe
Melissa ReyesSafe

The judges decide that the first group did the best; Mariela was praised for her improvement and strong performance with no negative feedback like every girl had. While the judges say that it is Melissa R.'s worst night yet, it is Sisely, who has struggled throughout rehearsal despite being given a rock song, who lands in the bottom two with the still-unconfident Jaime. Jaime is eliminated for not standing out.

Episode 4: She Dances Like a Drag Queen

At this week's challenge the girls are assigned to perform a self-choreographed routine with a male dancer and Mariela impress the judges with her creativity, gaining immunity. Robin picks Chelsea and Asia to be leaders and Sisely winds up getting chosen last. Chelsea chooses girls she hasn't worked with and does a good job as a leader. Asia doesn't manage too well, being distracted by Sisely's earlier comments about her dancing like a drag queen. The girls perform as follows:

ArtistGroupSongResults
Chelsea Korka1"Shame"Safe
Mariela ArteagaSafe
Anastacia McPhersonSafe
Asia Nitollano2"Don't Leave Me This Way"Safe
Melissa ReyesSafe
Sisely TreasureEliminated
Melissa SmithBottom 2

Guys join the girls for a partner dance challenge which Mariela wins. At the final performance Chelsea's group is deemed the best, despite having a weak rehearsal. The ever-struggling Sisely and Melissa S., who has trouble showing her "inner doll", are in the bottom two. Sisely is then eliminated as it becomes evident that her uniqueness is a weakness.

Episode 5: Vegas, Baby

The girls are taken to Vegas where they perform "Tainted Love" after learning the routine on their moving tour bus. At the Challenge performance, Anastacia feels uncomfortable in her dress, Chelsea gives the strongest vocal performance, and Mariela and Melissa S. receive the loudest cheers. After the public votes are tallied, Melissa S. is crowned winner. Asia rubs some girls the wrong way after deeming the fancy food they are given disgusting and asking for a hamburger instead of cuisine while Anastacia continues to struggle with her weight. The girls are then given the following song assignments, making both Mariela and Anastasia worried: Mariela because she is paired up with the best vocalist in the top 6 and Anastasia because her teammate has immunity.

ArtistGroupSongResults
Asia Nitollano1"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"Safe
Melissa ReyesSafe
Chelsea Korka2"I Turn to You"Bottom 2
Mariela ArteagaEliminated
Anastacia McPherson3"Un-Break My Heart"Safe
Melissa SmithSafe

At the final performance, Melissa R. is criticized for crying on stage but is safe due to being in the best duo. Mariela and Chelsea land in the bottom two due to their shortcomings in singing and dancing respectively. In the end, a teary-eyed Robin eliminates Mariela.

Episode 6: Dancin' with the Dolls

Chelsea expresses her feelings on Mariela's elimination saying that she felt she took away Mariela's dream and did not want her to go home. Anastacia feels her biggest indirect competition was gone. The girls are given a "Wait a Minute" routine to learn where Chelsea and Anastacia struggle. Robin then tells them that only 4 girls will perform it on stage with the Dolls to get immunity, however she makes the last-minute decision to cut both Anastacia and Chelsea out of the performance and they stay on the bus. At the performance, Melissa R. gains immunity despite almost getting too soon on stage. As they come back, the ongoing tension between Melissa S. and Chelsea reaches its highest point as Melissa S. uses Chelsea's name as a synonym for bad dancer. Melissa R. breaks down because she struggles with her identity and sheltered past but is comforted by Melissa S. This week the girls perform a medley as one group and Chelsea is put in a swing, which Melissa S. believes is giving her an excuse to not dance.

ArtistSongResults
Asia Nitollano"The Pink Panther Theme"/"Fever"/"Big Spender"Safe
Anastacia McPhersonEliminated
Chelsea KorkaSafe
Melissa ReyesSafe
Melissa SmithBottom 2

After losing her microphone in the tub she danced in and singing badly, Melissa S. lands in the bottom two once again, but it is Anastacia who is eliminated due to her inability to advantageously use her figure.

Episode 7: The Fantastic Four

The girls are taken on a fake promo tour, including a photoshoot, an interview and a commercial for a deodorant. Melissa S. and Melissa R. struggle with their commercial, Chelsea ends up singing it to show off her best asset, and Asia ad libs a bit, talking about The Dolls's confidence. At the interview, Melissa S. deems Chelsea the girl with the least potential, reigniting tension; Asia wins the challenge, though she does not get immunity but to have her commercial run nationally. This week the girls have to perform "Beep"'s dance routine and Chelsea struggles, making Melissa S. happy as she can't evade dancing this week. However she gets the routine down with the help of Asia. The girls are also given solo assignments as follows:

  • Group performance - "Beep" (dance routine)
ArtistOrderSongResults
Melissa Smith1"Don't Know Why"Eliminated
Asia Nitollano2"Too Little Too Late"Safe
Melissa Reyes3"I'm Going Down"Safe
Chelsea Korka4"What a Girl Wants"Bottom 2

Asia is criticized for struggling on a hard song while Chelsea and Melissa S. land in the bottom two: Chelsea for her dancing problem despite pulling off a strong performance this night and Melissa S. for her lack of consistency. Ultimately, an overjoyed Chelsea joins Asia and Melissa R. in the finale and Melissa S. is sent home.

Episode 8: The Girl Who Becomes a Doll

As the girls come home, Melissa R. voices her relief at Melissa S.' elimination, leading Asia to call her phony at their last dinner with the judges. Tension continues throughout the night and Chelsea is woken up by the other girls' fight. The girls learn their song assignment as follows:

ArtistOrderSongResults
Chelsea Korka1"Feelin' Good"Eliminated
Asia Nitollano2"I Don't Need a Man"Winner
Melissa Reyes3"Stickwitu"Runner-up

All of them struggle due to the tension, leading Robin to tell them that none of them are ready. Melissa R. and Asia continue their fight during the group rehearsal, while a bemused Mikey and Chelsea look on. They then sort out their differences and hug each other. At the performance the judges are wowed by all of the girls, but Chelsea's inability to dance gets her eliminated.

Robin then names Asia the winner and she is joined on stage by the Dolls and performs Don't Cha with them for the first time. Nittollano was set to officially join the Dolls after they would finish touring, but after the season finished airing, she only appeared with the Dolls again at the CW Upfronts Event on May 17, 2007, and shortly after, it was announced that she departed from the group to pursue a solo career.

After the show, Melissa Smith, Melissa Reyes and Chelsea Korka performed the song Fever with the English burlesque group Girlesque at the Fashion Cares event on May 12, 2007 in Toronto, Canada. [2] This led fans to believe that they had started their own group which turned out to be false [2] as Chelsea Korka was in a group named the Paradiso Girls.

Related Research Articles

"Don't Cha" is a song written by Busta Rhymes and CeeLo Green, and produced by the latter. The chorus is a slightly modified interpolation of the chorus line sung by Sir Mix-a-Lot in a song he wrote called "Swass" (1988). The song was originally recorded and published in 2004 by Tori Alamaze, former backing vocalist for the hip hop duo OutKast, and was released as her debut single. After minor success, and dissatisfaction with Universal Records, Alamaze gave up her rights to the song.

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Ashley Allyn Roberts is an American singer, dancer, and media personality. She is a former member of the pop group The Pussycat Dolls, who sold over 55 million records worldwide, becoming one of the world's best-selling female groups of all time. Roberts also had a brief career as a solo singer when she released the album Butterfly Effect (2014).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmit Bachar</span> American dancer, choreographer and singer (born 1974)

Carmit Maile Bachar is an American dancer, choreographer and singer. She is a former member of the pop groups The Pussycat Dolls (2003–2008) and LadyStation (2011–2016). As a dancer, she has been on tour with Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin and No Doubt and in music videos for various artists, such as Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, The Offspring, Aaliyah and Beyoncé.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Antin</span> American dancer

Robin Antin is an American dancer and choreographer. In 1995, she founded the modern burlesque troupe the Pussycat Dolls. By 2005, she diversified into various media including a pop recording group with international hits, a Las Vegas nightclub venue and floor show, various merchandise, and a reality television series. Since then, she has gone on to create other girl groups, including G.R.L., Girlicious and Paradiso Girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Sutta</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1982)

Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American singer, songwriter and former actress. She is a former member of the pop group The Pussycat Dolls. As a solo artist, Sutta shelved her first attempt with a debut album, Sutta Pop (2012), but went on to release two studio albums Feline Resurrection (2016) and I Say Yes (2017) and reached four number ones on US Dance Club Songs, becoming the only former The Pussycat Dolls' member to reach the top of an American chart.

<i>Pussycat Dolls Present</i> American reality television series

Pussycat Dolls Present is an American reality television series that premiered on March 6, 2007 on The CW, and took place over the course of eight weeks. It was a joint venture between Ken Mok's 10 by 10 Entertainment, Pussycat LLC, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and Warner Horizon Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Scherzinger</span> American singer (born 1978)

Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is a former member of the pop group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls. With only two albums and over 55 million records sold worldwide, The Pussycat Dolls are one of the world's best-selling female groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pussycat Dolls</span> American girl group and dance ensemble

The Pussycat Dolls were an American girl group and dance ensemble, founded in Los Angeles, California, by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a burlesque troupe. At the suggestion of Jimmy Iovine, Antin decided to take the burlesque troupe mainstream as a pop group. Antin negotiated a record deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records in 2003 turning the group into a music franchise comprising Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt. Their debut single, "Sway", was featured on the soundtrack of the 2004 film Shall We Dance?.

Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sisely Treasure</span> American singer and dancer (born 1982)

Sisely Dove Treasure is an American singer and dancer, notable for the song "All Around the World" released by Dreamworks Records in July 2003 and appearing in Billboard Magazine's Top 40 Dance charts the same year. "Morning Star", another song off the Punk Debutante album, made top ten on Billboards dance chart. In 2008, she became one of three vocalists for the rock group Shiny Toy Guns. In 2011, she released her solo single, "That You Like." On November 28, a preview video of a new single titled "Million Hands" was released on her official YouTube page. She was born in Long Beach, California and currently lives in Los Angeles.

<i>Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious</i> American TV series or program

Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious is the second and final season of Pussycat Dolls Present that premiered on February 18, 2008 on The CW, and aired for a total of eight weeks. It was a joint venture between Ken Mok's 10x10 Entertainment, Pussycat LLC, Interscope A&M Records, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and Warner Horizon Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girlicious</span> American girl group

Girlicious was an American girl group originally formed by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, from The CW reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. The group was originally signed to Geffen Records and composed of members Nichole Cordova, Tiffanie Anderson, Chrystina Sayers and Natalie Mejia. Their self-titled debut album was released in Canada in August 2008 and reached number two on the Canadian Albums Chart. After Anderson left the group in June 2009, Girlicious signed with Universal Music Canada and released their second studio album, Rebuilt, in November 2010. Mejia and Sayers departed the group in February 2011. Nichole Cordova later announced the end of Girlicious, and her joining a new girl group called Girls United.

The Paradiso Girls were a girl group created by Robin Antin, and were a European spin-off of Antin's other girl group The Pussycat Dolls. The members come from a number of countries: Chelsea Korka from the United States, Aria Crescendo from France, Lauren Bennett and Kelly Beckett from the United Kingdom and Shar Mae Amor from the Philippines. They were signed to Interscope Records. Their debut single "Patron Tequila" featuring Lil Jon and Eve was released on May 12, 2009 and reached position 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play. Following uncertainty from their label, the group disbanded in 2010.

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Chrystal Neria, known professionally as Kaya Jones, is a Canadian-born American singer and model. She originally became known in 2003 for performing with the American girl group the Pussycat Dolls. Since 2004, she has pursued a solo career in music.

Melissa Smith, better known by her stage name Melissa Molinaro, is a Canadian-American pop singer, actress, dancer, choreographer and model. She is perhaps best known for her reality TV appearances on Making the Band 3 and Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll. She co-starred in Dolph Lundgren's action film, Command Performance, and had a major role in Honey 2. She adopted her mother's maiden name Molinaro as her professional name in 2010. Melissa has received notable attention from her appearance in Old Navy's "Super C-U-T-E" commercial in 2011 and for the video for "Dance Floor", the first single from Melissa's debut album "The Love/Dance Project". She is married to Bryan Kowalski and has 2 children with him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Bennett</span> English singer (born 1989)

Lauren Diane Bennett is an English singer. She is known for being a member of the American girl group G.R.L. Bennett has also worked with the Paradiso Girls, CeeLo Green, Robin Antin, The Pussycat Dolls, and LMFAO. She was featured on the lattermost's 2011 track "Party Rock Anthem", which became her first number one single in the United Kingdom and United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simone Battle</span> American singer (1989–2014)

Simone Sherise Battle was an American singer, dancer and actress. She was a finalist on The X Factor in 2011 and a member of the girl group G.R.L. from 2012 until her death in 2014. The group was best known for their singles "Vacation", "Ugly Heart" and "Wild Wild Love" with Pitbull. Following her death, the group dedicated their single "Lighthouse" to Battle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G.R.L.</span> American girl group

G.R.L. is an American girl group formed by Robin Antin. The group consists of members Lauren Bennett, Natasha Slayton and Emmalyn Estrada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">React (The Pussycat Dolls song)</span> 2020 single by The Pussycat Dolls

"React" is a song recorded by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls and was released by Access Records on February 7, 2020. It is the group's first song in over a decade, the last being 2009's "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", and is their first independent release since partnering with First Access Entertainment. "React" sees the return of Carmit Bachar who left the group before the release of their last album, Doll Domination (2008), although it does not feature Melody Thornton, who opted out of the reunion citing the desire to continue with her own solo music career. It was written by group member Nicole Scherzinger, along with Georgia Buchanan, Johan Gustafsson, William Simister, and Hannah Wilson. It was produced by Gustafson, Will Simms, and Swedish producer Ivares.

References

  1. Preview: Pussycat Dolls Present the Search for the Next Doll: The Transformation
  2. 1 2 List of public appearances after the show