Nicole Scherzinger for Marie Claire US September 2011

Check out Nicole Scherzinger's photo shoot for the September issue of Marie Claire. Scroll down for more photos and interview excerpts.

"I think it's great that people like American Idol and The Voice, because it shows that they have an appetite for these pop-reality shows. I think audiences are fascinated to watch people struggle to achieve their dreams. America connects to that, they're engaged by that, and they undoubtedly love Simon Cowell. He's not too shabby, that guy."

"I'm kind of a nerd. My assistant said the other day when she was watching me get ready, 'I wish people saw this side of you. You are really a nerd.' I was rushing around, trying on different make-up — so I had like five different foundations on one side, and a bunch of different lipstick and eye pencils on the other side of my cheek — and my hair was like some crazy side-ponytail, and I was wearing two different shoes asking, 'Which one looks better? What should I do?' as I tripped everywhere. I really don't try to be cool, because I'm not."

"On this album, I didn't stick to any one musical style because I have so many different personalities inside of me that I wanted them to come out in the music. That's why the songs are all so diverse — so I've got the empowering rock, blazing dance tracks, hip-hop flavor, and a lot of songs that just have a good swagger to them. But I also have ballads like 'Amenjena' that are more vulnerable."

"I'm a perfectionist, so when I'm in it, I don't know if things are good or not. I'm like, 'Is that good? Are you sure that was good? It could have been better.' Because for me, things can always be better."

 "It's different going solo, because I had the Pussycat Dolls to fall back on for a lot of stuff. With PCD you have the camaraderie of four other girls. That's your team, you're a gang — that gives you extra superpowers, extra confidence, onstage. But now, as a solo artist, I have to bring it all on my own and make sure that I'm doing music that's true to me, with great performances where I connect to the audience."

"I grew up in the theater, so it's fun to get glammed up for a performance in clothes that you wouldn't wear on the street. When I'm onstage, I make sure my costume has a rock edge to it, or something blinged-out for that diva aspect — like the greats Diana Ross and Tina Turner — to keep it funky and cool. But then in my day-to-day life, I'm much more of a boho chick — flowy skirts and dresses or jeans and white t-shirts with hats — I love hats."

Courtesy of Marie Claire