Singers Nicole Scherzinger and Bret McKenzie are celebrating their birthdays today.
Nicole Scherzinger, 36
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Singer, actress and television personality Nicole Scherzinger turns 36 today. After her exit from the group Eden's Crush, Scherzinger auditioned for the group, The Pussycat Dolls, and she signed a contract with Interscope Records. The group's debut album, PCD and its follow-up Doll Domination, both experienced commercial success. Many of the group's songs became worldwide hits including "Don't Cha," "Stickwitu," "Buttons," "When I Grow Up," "I Hate This Part" and "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)." Despite their commercial success, the group disbanded due to internal conflict.
Scherzinger's debut solo album, Killer Love, was not a major success on the American charts, but its singles "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Right There" became top-ten hits in several countries worldwide. Scherzinger left Interscope Records in 2013 and signed with Sony Music Entertainment and RCA Records.
In May 2011, she joined the U.S. version of The X Factor, but was replaced in season two by Britney Spears. From 2012 to 2013, Scherzinger served as a judge on the UK version of The X Factor and won with James Arthur in her first year.
Scherzinger has been in an on and off relationship with Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton. Rumors have swirled that the two are currently engaged.
Bret McKenzie, 38
image courtesy of INFphoto.com
New Zealand comedian, actor, musician and producer Bret McKenzie turns 38 today. McKenzie and his close friend, Jemaine Clement, joined together and formed the group Flight of the Conchords. Together they have toured internationally and released four CDs; Folk the World Tour, The Distant Future, which won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 2007, the Grammy nominated Flight of the Conchords and I Told You I Was Freaky. They produced a six-part improvisational comedy radio program for the BBC and have appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. They were offered their own 12-part HBO series, Flight of the Conchords, which ran from 2007 to 2009.
McKenzie appeared in the first two installments of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, an was cast a Lindir in The Hobbit trilogy. He appeared in an episode of The Simpsons along with Clement.
McKenzie went on to write four of the five original songs for The Muppets soundtrack including "Man or Muppet" and "Life's a Happy Song" both of which were nominated for Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards and Satellite Awards for Best Original Song. At the 84th Academy Awards in 2012, his song, "Man or Muppet," won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.