The debut season of Netflix’s Building the Band kicks off today, and mentor/judge Nicole Scherzinger opens up about working with Liam Payne and helping form One Direction, why Lizzo would be included in a modern day Pussycat Dolls, why she wanted to be part of the show and more.

Have you watched the new episodes of Building the Band? Let us know in the comments!

Joe Lynch:

I’m just curious for you, as someone who has kind of been on both sides, you’ve done the band, you’ve mentored, you’ve judged, what was it about Building the Band that made you want to be part of this project?

Nicole Scherzinger:

Obviously, I’ve been in a few bands, actually, three bands you should do your homework on that one. 

Eden’s Crush, The Pussycat Dolls…

Days Of The New, it was a rock band. Not many people know. 

That one I did not know. 

I think the main thing that I was really excited about being a part of this project is it felt like a social experiment. I just loved the fact that a band was being put together with themselves without ever having seen each other, that it was solely based off of music, compatibility and chemistry and connection. I mean sight unseen. I mean, who’s ever done that? I don’t think anyone’s ever done that. And and I love that. I love doing things that are outside of the box and breaking all the rules and new things. 

One thing I thought was interesting in the show, you talked about putting the power kind of back in the singer’s hands. You know, it’s not formed by a label. They there’s forming their band themselves, you know. And you mentioned a few times in the show, why is that so important to you? Like giving the power over to the artists?

Keep watching for more!