Pussycat Dolls didn’t want to remix 'Jai Ho!’

Pussycat Dolls lead singer says she was scared to recreate AR Rahman’s work

A R Rahman’s remixed version of Jai Ho by the Pussycat Dolls (PCD) has rocked the West and got rave reviews too. But surprisingly, it is now learned that lead singer Nicole Scherzinger never wanted to do this version!

Nicole, who otherwise loves everything Indian — especially dressing up in colourful bindis and dupatas, is quoted on the website Desi Hits! “I was scared, I was afraid to let people hear it, I really didn’t want to do it,” she told Anjula Achari Bath of the website.
The sexy singer was hesitant not because she didn’t like the song, but because the song was already amazing. “I didn’t want to recreate Rahman’s work,” said Nicole, who was inspired by the film and emotionally touched by the track.

Music producer Jimmy Iovine brought the idea of remixing Jai Ho to Nicole. After giving it a lot of thought and after talking things over with him, she thought it would be a great opportunity to put her own English translation into the song. She knew this was a difficult task as she highly respected the original track. “I prayed every night to do this right,” she said. She was so moved by the film that she wanted to be sure to incorporate themes from Slumdog Millionaire such as destiny and love into the song.

Nicole has never been to India but now wants to do charity work here. “I know Jessica (Jessica Sutta, another member of PCD) has already been to Rishikesh and is strongly involved with a charity that works towards improving the lives of children there and I want to go to the orphanages of India,” she said.