Nicole Scherzinger Sings “I Am What I Am” Live
The former Pussycat Doll star surprises fans with a dramatic cover shared on Instagram now

Image: Instagram
Nicole Scherzinger took to Instagram on Tuesday to unveil her full rendition of “I Am What I Am,” treating fans to a series of evocative stage photos. Captioned “Full performance of ‘I Am What I Am’ 🤍,” the post links viewers to the complete video and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her theatrical prowess.
Performance Drops On Instagram
In the Instagram carousel, Scherzinger delivers a powerhouse vocal performance, clad in an ornate white fringe gown that catches the spotlight with every movement. A vintage-style microphone stands in for modern kit, lending a classic vibe to her cover of the Diane Warren–penned anthem. One shot freezes her mid-note, eyes closed and arm raised, while another captures a backlit silhouette, alluding to the emotion that has become her trademark.
The Meaning Behind ‘i Am What I Am’
“I Am What I Am” is one of musical theater’s most iconic anthems, originally written for La Cage aux Folles by Jerry Herman. Its message of self-acceptance and pride has resonated for decades, making it a fitting choice for Scherzinger, who has long championed empowerment themes in her music. In her Instagram post, she paired each photo with the single white heart emoji, hinting at the song’s emotional core without scripted captions.
Stage Style In Focus
Her costume choices underscore the theatricality of the moment. The ensemble, designed by Michael Philouze, pairs a flowing fringe jacket with a fitted bodysuit, blending classic glamour and contemporary edge. Highlights include a sculpted ponytail by hairstylist David “Gonn” Harrison and dewy makeup by Rokael Beauty, as noted in her recent look–credit posts on Instagram. The images reveal how Scherzinger translates her pop-star signature style to a more dramatic, show-stopping form.
Fan Reaction And Social Buzz
Within hours, fans flooded the comments with applause. One user wrote, “Your voice gives me chills,” while another tagged friends, “You need to see this!” The post has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views, sparking discussion across Twitter and TikTok with the hashtag #NicoleSings. Several Broadway accounts reshared clips, praising her seamless transition from chart-topping hits to musical theater power ballads.
Theatre Honors And Awards
This performance release follows a string of milestones for Scherzinger in musical theatre. In April, she accepted the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award at a ceremony in New York: “I still can’t believe they called my name—out of 50 extraordinary nominees… to receive the @dramaleague Distinguished Performance Award is a once-in-a-lifetime honor,” she wrote on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJyhFXutB73/), reflecting on her stage debut and growing reputation.
The singer-actress has leveraged her pop sensibility—from fronting the Pussycat Dolls to judging on shows like The Masked Singer and The Voice UK—to build a diverse career. Her Wikipedia profile notes her early training in musical theater at UCLA, laying the groundwork for tonight’s showcase.
Sunset Boulevard Vinyl Release
Scherzinger’s link to her theatre work doesn’t end with live videos. Last week, she announced the release of a limited-edition vinyl for the Sunset Boulevard revival, writing, “This music and these words have been the soundtrack to my heart and soul the past two years… The @sunsetblvdmusical limited-edition vinyl is here. ♥️” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJMBzaGNVOm/). Those posts give fans a tangible way to connect with her stage legacy beyond digital streams.
Her Tiny Desk performance has also generated buzz. In March, she and the rest of the Sunset Boulevard cast recorded an intimate session for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. Sharing clips from that session, Nicole tagged @nprmusic and trumpeted, “This revival of @sunsetblvdmusical is the perfect match for the Tiny Desk” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJRkRtDt1iz/). The full Tiny Desk video remains available on NPR’s YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead
Scherzinger teased on Instagram Stories that she’s working on new material set for release later this year. Fans spotted behind-the-scenes snippets of studio sessions as she collaborated with Grammy-winning producers. Though details remain under wraps, the artist hinted at a holiday-themed track and a possible tour announcement in early 2025.
Bridging Pop And Theatre
Scherzinger’s dual career in pop and musical theatre has set a blueprint for modern performers. By channeling her mainstream fanbase into stage productions—and vice versa—she continues to blur the lines between chart success and live theatrical acclaim. Observers say her strategy has inspired other pop stars to explore Broadway and West End roles.
Her latest Instagram drop underscores a savvy digital strategy and promises more performance videos for supporters hungry for an insider’s look at her evolving artistry.

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