Scherzinger names Whitney Houston as her major musical influence stating, "I always wanted to be Whitney Houston growing up."
After receiving a cassette of Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album (1985) at the age of six, she claims that Houston showed her singing was her destiny.
As she grew older she also listened to artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Sade, Alanis Morissette, and Tina Turner.
While on stage Scherzinger borrows personas of Tina Turner and Mick Jagger; "the way he prances around stage and the poise he has on stage.
But I love [Turner's] attitude and sass.
I steal from her all the time, especially being the lead singer of this group, the Pussycat Dolls, to be fearless and just have that attitude and that soul behind you."
She credits Beyoncé as a key inspiration to "wear costumes that aren't much but they are real artists and they put real artistry into what they do and that is how I pride myself."
Scherzinger stated that Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope (1997) influenced the recording process of her second album, Big Fat Lie, while its lead single's music video was inspired by Jackson's  Love Will Never Do (Without You) (1989) clip.

When Scherzinger was older, Mariah Carey became a huge influence to her.
She also wished to work with the Black Eyed Peas saying she admired their music.
Scherzinger is also a fan of Adele.
Prince also became a big influence when she was in her teens.
Michael Jackson was one of Scherzinger's biggest influences and idols.
When she gained the role on Men in Black 3, Scherzinger said that music was a very big part of her inspiration for the character, which she plays for the film.
She said, "I listened to my heavier music and I listened to Led Zeppelin and I kind of got in that frame of mind because music is what inspires me most.
I worked with my acting coach a lot and she told me about lots of crazy things to think about while I was in character, but I better not tell you what she said."
Scherzinger said that the role has inspired her to record differently on her second studio album.
Stylistically, Scherzinger draws inspiration from Jennifer Lopez, Sienna Miller, and Gwen Stefani.
During her twenties, Scherzinger tried to emulate Lopez by dying her hair blonde.
Scherzinger names Whitney Houston as her major musical influence stating, "I always wanted to be Whitney Houston growing up." After receiving a cassette of Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album (1985) at the age of six, she claims that Houston showed her singing was her destiny. As she grew older she also listened to artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Sade, Alanis Morissette, and Tina Turner. While on stage Scherzinger borrows personas of Tina Turner and Mick Jagger; "the way he prances around stage and the poise he has on stage. But I love [Turner's] attitude and sass. I steal from her all the time, especially being the lead singer of this group, the Pussycat Dolls, to be fearless and just have that attitude and that soul behind you." She credits Beyoncé as a key inspiration to "wear costumes that aren't much but they are real artists and they put real artistry into what they do and that is how I pride myself." Scherzinger stated that Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope (1997) influenced the recording process of her second album, Big Fat Lie, while its lead single's music video was inspired by Jackson's  Love Will Never Do (Without You) (1989) clip.
When Scherzinger was older, Mariah Carey became a huge influence to her. She also wished to work with the Black Eyed Peas saying she admired their music. Scherzinger is also a fan of Adele. Prince also became a big influence when she was in her teens. Michael Jackson was one of Scherzinger's biggest influences and idols. When she gained the role on Men in Black 3, Scherzinger said that music was a very big part of her inspiration for the character, which she plays for the film. She said, "I listened to my heavier music and I listened to Led Zeppelin and I kind of got in that frame of mind because music is what inspires me most. I worked with my acting coach a lot and she told me about lots of crazy things to think about while I was in character, but I better not tell you what she said." Scherzinger said that the role has inspired her to record differently on her second studio album. Stylistically, Scherzinger draws inspiration from Jennifer Lopez, Sienna Miller, and Gwen Stefani. During her twenties, Scherzinger tried to emulate Lopez by dying her hair blonde.
Nicole Scherzinger