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My tongue swollen.
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You're like My tongue is swollen.
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>> Hey, what's going on everybody?
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For First We Feast, I'm Sean Evans and you're watching Hot Ones.
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It's the show with hot questions and even hotter wings.
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And today we're joined by Nicole Scherzinger.
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She's fresh off a Tony Award win for best actress in a musical for her lead in Sunset Boulevard, a multi-platinum recording artist who has sold tens of millions of records worldwide, and you can catch her in a brand new singing competition series called Building the Band, which is streaming on Netflix now.
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Nicole Scherzinger, welcome to the show.
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>> Thank you so much, Sean.
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>> I know that you're a perfectionist and chronic over-preparer.
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I'm curious, did you do anything special to prepare for today's Hot Ones? >> nothing, Sean. >> Love it.
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>> I normally would like been like like an athlete just going in, but I can't because being on Broadway I have such so many diet restrictions and what I can eat before I go on stage.
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So, I'm just I'm all yours.
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>> Well, I appreciate you taking a cheat meal with us.
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Are you ready to get started? >> I'm ready.
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This is a dream of mine come true.
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Going to the Met, winning the Tony, and now being on Hot Ones. Cheers. >> Cheers. >> Mhm. Mhm. It's good.
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I could lick my fingers after that.
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>> So, Building the Band has this unique concept, right?
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Where artists can't see the other contestants and they have to blindly build out a group based purely on what they hear.
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Do you see this show as like a statement on music compatibility versus commercial appeal?
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Is it like an exposé on unconscious bias or is it just kind of a fun way to put a group together?
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>> Music and everything has changed so much and what would have worked for a band or a group 10 years ago, 5 years ago, 20 years ago, it's just not the same today.
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And it's just um it's just really cool.
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Like you just kind of sift through all the bull crap and it you're right.
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It's just like you said, it's just all about the music compatibility and that chemistry and I just love that it has nothing to do with appearance and prejudgements.
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Wouldn't you freak out if I accidentally started that? >> I actually would.
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It's happened once before so I'm I have some history with it and you're right, I would dive from across the table. >> Okay, Nicole. >> Thank you.
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>> On that note, are you ready to move on here to wing number two? Just winging it. >> Just winging it.
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Something smells really hot by the way.
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>> Don't sweat the details. >> sitting here. Okay.
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It's got a bit of a zing. Like Sher Zinger. They're hot.
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And we're only on the second wing, but they're tasty and that's what's nice. Let's keep it tasty. Sure.
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>> I'll I'll I'll try my best over here.
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So earlier this summer, I saw you in Sunset Boulevard and as a Broadway casual, I can see why you won that award.
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Great acting doesn't necessarily require a performer to have a shared lived experience with a character, but I am curious like how if at all the overlaps served in you kind of like unlocking a new depth to the portrayal. >> Absolutely.
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I mean, this is about an old faded film star.
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This is about a woman, Norma Desmond, is about a woman who was in, you know, so beloved in her career, and then it was kind of just taken away, and then, you know, it happens.
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It happens over time, and I'm a pop star that once had a lot of fame with the Pussycat Dolls, and then I don't have that same fame.
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I could relate to Norma in working so much from a young age, and kind of having that time taken away from you.
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Like, where time is always slipping away? Where does the time go?
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And I feel that way, too.
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You wake up, and a decade goes by.
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You wake up I mean, it's been Sean. >> I'm listening. >> Sean. >> I'm listening.
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>> It's been 20 years since the Dolls. What?
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That was my pillow, by the way. I did not fart.
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I'm into a pickled garlic sriracha. That's just tasty.
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That's just called damn good.
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>> I want to put that ON A >> THAT ON ANYTHING.
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I feel like that could be number two.
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>> Yeah, I think that you're right about that.
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I think two is a little bit hotter, kind of jarring.
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I think it's a little bit spicier here in this lineup, and then here on three, we downshift a little bit.
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>> hoping is that this is all prep prepping me. >> It is.
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It's like >> my taste buds. >> boiling 1° at a time.
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By the time you get there, you won't even notice.
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It'll all feel like the same. >> That's an analogy. That was good. This is great.
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>> Off the top of your head, and without thinking about it too much, what do you think is the highest note you've ever hit?
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Do you remember which song it was for?
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>> It was the I think the high E when I um sang um The Phantom of the Opera, the Angel of Music.
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He was like, "He's there, the phantom of the opera." Okay, I'm sick.
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I'm on steroids, but that's all right.
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Got a show I got a show in a few few hours. I have one night. >> Hot sauce.
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I sang it for the Royal Variety Show in England for Andrew Lloyd Webber.
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I think it was a high E6. So, yeah.
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I do have a like a a very A lot of people don't realize I am a first soprano and I have a very a big range.
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Did we just jump from like three to eight or something accidentally?
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>> No, but this is the first kind of step up. >> Mhm.
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There's no mango in that, Shawn.
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>> It's very Yeah, it's it's serrano forward, for sure. >> Very serrano forward. >> That's right.
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>> Well, I get the feeling back when I have my show right after this.
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>> It'll unlock something new. I'm sure of it. I'm sure of it. >> I'm going to use it. >> Yeah, use it. Use it. Reinvent the character. >> Come on, serrano. With one love.
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>> So, one time I was a judge on MasterChef and it really challenged me because at the end of the day, it is a competition show.
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So, you have to tell someone with a dream that it's time to pack your stuff up and go.
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You know, it had like an emotional toll and a responsibility that I don't think I was fully ready for.
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As a veteran of the genre on shows like X Factor, how do you balance being like a vulnerable artist yourself with then the authority of being a judge who sometimes has to dole out harsh truths?
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>> Okay, so listen, Shawn.
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In the beginning, when I was doing this, I was like, I can't I can't say no.
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I can't crush these precious little dreams.
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I just can't so I would say no doesn't mean no.
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It's a not for now, right?
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That's how I started out.
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Now I'm old and I'm jaded Shawn, okay?
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And I feel like I'm helping these people out and if you're that talented, it's not going to go away after the show.
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That's just you got to find your right thing or something else.
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I'm a person I'm all about you know, what's meant for you won't pass you by and everything in the right time, right?
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That sounds good but so did the Serrano and mango.
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That was a playful I'm feeling pretty damn good. That's just delicious. All right, cool.
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So it sounds like It's sort of a whack-a-mole with you, you know, like you like to lick these ones.
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ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE. I'M SORRY. THAT'S GOOD, ISN'T IT? THAT'S GOOD. That's great. Number four, sus.
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Is there a most memorable technical malfunction that's occurred while you were on stage?
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You know, I did once see a video of you performing with one look through a bullhorn. Oh my gosh. Okay.
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So we're getting ready for the show.
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It was a mat- was it a matinee? It was it was a matinee.
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They know that when they're like, yes, it was a matinee. They remember.
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It was a matinee and Johnny our stage manager comes up and he's like, we're having some technical difficulties. There is no sound. And I was like, what? Honey, this is Broadway. The show must go on.
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Surely you're going to figure out the sound, right?
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They couldn't get the sound on.
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So, Johnny, our stage manager, Tom Francis, and I go on stage to let them know, "Sorry, we have to cancel the show."
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So, we're standing on stage.
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Johnny's telling them through the bullhorn because to make sure everybody in their seats, 2,000 people, can hear us, um that we're going to have to cancel the show.
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And someone in the audience goes, "Sing!" So, I was like, "Okay." So, I use my phone.
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I pressed the um the the track, and then put it to the speaker so that they feel like they hear an orchestra, and then use the bullhorn to as like a mic.
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And honestly, Sean, I felt like the tip of a dick at first.
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I was like, And I'm singing with One Long, which is like, With one long, sometimes sometimes long.
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I feel like I'm My Heart Will Go On right now in the snow or something.
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But um it's such a dramatic song.
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And I'm singing through a big-ass bullhorn.
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And so, here I am feeling like a tip of a dick, but I'm like, then a a quietness came over the crowd.
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And I was like, "Oh my gosh, is this working?"
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And then I was like, "Just commit. Just give everything."
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Sean, by the end, I was like, "This damn bullhorn has great resonance. I love the reverb."
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Um in the moment, you're just thinking about like everybody's >> People filled up the auditorium.
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>> Yeah, they're deflated, and you're you can't just be like, "Sorry, you have to go home."
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So, I just wanted to give them a little sliver of our show and my heart.
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I'm definitely um codependent in that way, too, cuz I'm like, "Oh my god, how do I fix this?
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How do I make people feel better?" >> Tropical Amaretto. Are you doing it? >> I'm I'm with you.
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This one you catch kind of citrus notes up front and then behind it.
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It's just nothing to worry about.
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Yeah, that's the thing and sometimes I feel like even they can hear you talking about them.
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That's my kind of theory, you know.
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>> "Oh, you think you're a baddie?" >> Yeah. We'll let you know. >> It's still good. >> Mhm. >> It's still sneaking.
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This one >> Watch out now.
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So, the word diva, it originally comes from opera and it was used to describe like divinely talented singers who enraptured audiences, but of course it's taken on all kinds of contemporary means through Broadway and through pop music.
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I'm curious, what's your relationship like with the word diva?
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Like, is it aspirational?
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Is it a pejorative or is it more of like an it's complicated?
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>> Oh my gosh, I love like where it's derived from.
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Like you said, I think that's beautiful and I'm going to go with that.
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I mean, when you sing it's like it's not it's like you don't have to prove anything to anybody because when I sing it's not about singing, it's about moving people.
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It's about what people feel, what people take away from what you're singing and I think that's being the ultimate diva when you're able to take someone's heart, soul, balls, vagina, all of it.
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Just have them in your hands like this, Shondra. >> I feel it.
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>> HAVE THEM IN YOUR HANDS LIKE THIS, SHONDRA. I don't know.
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I don't know if that works. >> You know what? It does and I feel it. I feel it, all right?
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I'm like elevated from the chair. I'm like this right now. >> She's got me.
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She's the diva, all right. Ooh, apricot. Okay, let's do it. Mhm.
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I feel like I took a big bite. >> No, you didn't. >> Mhm.
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>> You have been this whole time, by the way. >> Mhm.
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Who would think to put apricot in a hot sauce? Right?
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>> A mad genius, you know. >> Yum. >> Does it work for you? >> No.
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>> Yeah, it's almost like a It kind of tastes like a spicy lemon to me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
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>> a little bit of a house cleaner, a spicy house cleaner.
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>> pinch of house cleaner in there.
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>> A little bit, or like a bug spray. I'm sorry.
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Whoever made apricot >> Don't apologize.
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So, your accolades on stage, they stretch far beyond this year.
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You know, you once received an Olivier Award nomination for your role in Cats.
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And you know, Cats is one of these shows that kind of polarizes audiences, and rather unfairly, in my opinion, is sometimes this kind of like cultural punchline.
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What do you think separates, when it comes to Cats, people who get it versus those who don't? >> Babe, I don't know.
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My best friend is a genius, and she came and saw me on the West End, and she said, "What the F is a Jellicle Cat?"
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You either get it or you don't. I don't know.
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You might have to have a bunch of hot sauce before you come and see. >> Altered state. >> Altered state.
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I was going through like a really serious breakup at the time, and basically, Grizabella kind of really wants to die of her old self and be reborn again every night.
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That's what she wants to be, the chosen cat to like get a second chance at a new life.
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And I got to do that every night for eight shows a week.
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So, um that was a great joy, but most people walk away and say, "What the hell is a Jellicle Cat?" And that's okay. That's okay.
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You're just going in, Sean. We have to prepare.
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Oh my god, just smelling it. >> Uh don't swallow. >> Don't smell it. >> So stoic so far. It's fighting through.
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I saw the stoicism in you.
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>> What does that taste, Sean?
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>> It's so >> Where does that go? Huh?
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>> To me, it's just like straight gasoline.
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You know, like there's no redeeming culinary qualities to this sauce. >> mouth, Sean. >> I know.
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>> Can I tell you >> Yeah.
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>> Can I tell you something? >> Whatever you want. >> Oh, Sean. Sweetheart. Sweet Sean.
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Um I've been sick doing my show.
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I'm going to channel this.
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I feel like this is killing >> Right.
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>> everything in my throat right now.
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>> You have such a positive glass-half-full outlook, you know?
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And I'm using some of that right now, cuz you're right.
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It'll clear up the sinuses.
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It'll burn away >> It's burning all that infection. >> Right. Exactly.
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We're going to come out of here a cured woman, okay?
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>> When's it going to go away, Sean?
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>> It's a That's That's the downside of it.
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For the next like 15 to 20 minutes of your life, it'll be uncomfortable, all right?
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And we're trapped in this black box together, but on the other side of that, the clouds will clear, the sun will come come up, and this will all be a memory, okay? I promise you.
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>> I feel like I am so competitive.
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You have not had a drink, so I'm not having a drink, Sean.
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>> Oh, we're in a standoff. You're waiting on me. I I'm here for you. I'm here for you.
17:25
For the uninitiated, what is a traditional Hawaiian lunch plate?
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And what do you think distinguishes like a great one from a mediocre one?
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>> For real kind Hawaiian like plate, I love love love. It has everything.
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I get you get your kalua pig and cabbage, which we roast the pig in the ground.
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And it's beautiful with the lava rock and the tea leaves over it. It's amazing.
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It's just like so tender and just like so beautiful.
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And then with cabbage, I love cabbage.
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And then your lau lau with your leaves, I just love that the leaves fall off.
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Your lomi o pi with little shrimp, that's just chopped up tomato, onion, and o pi or lomi salmon. And poi. Poi is essential.
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It's our taro root that you mash up and just pound.
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And Hawaiians, we just love it.
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It's just for me one of the greatest foods ever. I love my poke.
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You have to use like sesame oil and sometimes kukui nuts.
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And you have to have your rice.
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We just love to carb it up. >> All right. If you're ready.
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>> I mean, I don't have a choice.
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But here it I'm competitive. We're doing it. >> We're doing it. >> I'm committed. >> Here we go.
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>> Wait, what is this called? >> Sucker punch. >> Awesome. Is this a cool ranch?
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Or is that just the cool ranch? >> That's good. That's good. That's good.
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>> Should I eat only half of that? >> You're good. You're good.
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It won't be as bad as the last one.
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>> I just took the whole thing. Cuz I'm the bomb. Bring it on. My tongue is swollen.
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>> Do you have a most cherished memory from hanging out with Prince?
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You know, as a rule of thumb on this show, whenever we get a chance to pull like a Michael Jordan, DMX, or Prince anecdote, we go for it. >> Okay. I'm sorry.
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I'm just trying to focus because it's hot. >> You don't apologize.
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>> It's not like you could just talk.
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You're just like, "Oh, Sean." You're like, "Fun. My tongue is swollen." >> interview show. I like it. >> Um Woo!
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Prince was my mentor, my friend, and my brother.
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So, he's got a show in Vegas, and I'm bringing my girlfriends, okay?
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And we're super excited to see the show and to see him perform and support him.
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And we're out by this pool at this hotel. Okay?
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Me and my girlfriends were like, "This is awesome. The sun is shining.
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We get to see Prince tonight in concert.
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It's going to be magical."
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And me and my friends are talking and and and then we hear a psst. Psst.
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And we see this bush kind of moving.
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And we are here psst psst.
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And I'll be damned, Prince was hiding behind the bush trying to get my attention. I don't know why.
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>> Well, cuz he can't He can't walk out, you know? >> so.
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He was hiding behind >> Probably not his first time pulling that move, you know?
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>> He was just hiding behind the bush, full shoulder pads like this. It was like noon.
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Fully dressed, looked amazing. Just Princing it up. Heels and all.
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And I wouldn't be here, Shawn, without him because he actually came to see me in Cats and he was like, "You are a analog singer, not a digital singer.
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Your voice is too big and you need to do music that's big enough for your voice and this is your stage, Nicole. So, here we are." >> And you know what? He was right. >> Oh, no.
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Yes, Shawn, what are you doing? I'm going to dab it. Does everyone dab it? >> Most people dab it. >> Like a lot or little? >> Just a little. Just a little. >> Just a little. >> A little tap. >> Is that good? >> That's great. That's great. >> like a lot. >> It is a lot.
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You've gone through a lot, but here we are at the end, Nicole. >> Cheers. >> Cheers. >> Cheers. Let's do it, Shawn. >> Cheers. >> Cheers.
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>> Have you ever done that before? Probably. >> Couple times. >> Okay. I'm not original. Okay.
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>> And with that, Nicole Scherzinger, the wings of death are behind us.
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We've learned along the way that you're a woman of many talents, from performing to singing to crushing the world's spiciest wings.
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But, I've also been told that you have a knack for impressions. I realize Whoa. Incredible.
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I think you killed it at number four on this one. You don't feel anything?
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>> I'm starting to feel it in my chest. >> Yeah.
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>> Maybe I shouldn't have gone in for that second third dab. >> It's all right.
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The competitive spirit, it caught you. >> I got excited.
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You were giving me that whole >> wind up >> wind up and I was like, "Yeah, that's me." And I felt like a boxer. Oh, that's good. >> Yeah.
23:05
If you'll humor me, I'm wondering if you could possibly channel your inner Britney Spears to let me know how you're feeling physically after taking on the world's spiciest wings.
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>> I wish everyone at home could really feel this. Yeah.
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>> Could feel this sensation. Right?
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>> Yeah, I always have that feeling. >> Uh, I feel like Ooh. Oh. Really loose. Okay. Oh my god.
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It takes great technique to do the great Britney Spears.
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And I'm trying to pull it together, Sean. >> Mhm. I get it.
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>> I did that dab too many times. Oops, I did it again. What is the song? I don't know it. >> You know what?
23:58
We've put you through enough today, Nicole. All right?
24:00
You can go ahead and punctuate the interview there.
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It was like she was in the room with us.
24:08
Look at you taking on the wings of death, living to tell the tale.
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And now there's nothing left to do but roll out the red carpet for you.
24:13
This camera, this camera, this camera, let the people know what you have going on in your life.
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>> I think I did it again.
24:25
My Britney Spears is usually better.
24:27
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.
24:27
Check out building the band on Netflix streaming now.
24:32
And if you're if I'm still around, Norman Desmond on Broadway.
24:35
We're here till July 20th.
24:37
I don't know when this airs.
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>> Well, I recommend that. >> THANK YOU, SEAN. FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION. A RAW DOG DANCE. We did it. I'm so happy.
24:52
And I went in for THE OTHER TEETH. GIVE ME A BRA ONE. THAT WAS AWESOME. AY AY ay ay ay. No no no no no no.
25:12
>> You love Truth or Dab and the even spicier refresh edition and now we're turning up the temperature and raising the stakes with our brand new Hot Ones Roulette.
25:21
It's an explosively hilarious push your luck party game filled with suspense, consequence, and of course hot sauce. The game is simple.
25:27
Roll the dice of doom, flip a card, and try to avoid the dab at all costs.
25:32
Hot Ones Roulette is available at wildertoys. com. That's wildertoys.
25:37
com to get your hands on Hot Ones Roulette.
25:39
Godspeed and be careful around the eyes.