We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson - What REALLY Happened Inside The Pussycat Dolls?

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Ashley Roberts shares how a first audition changed everything, taking her from performing at the Viper Room to becoming part of one of the biggest girl groups in the world. She opens up about the early buzz around the group to performing alongside Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Ashley also reflects on the structure of the group, with Nicole as the lead singer, the pressure and pace of sudden fame, and the physical and emotional toll that came with life inside such an iconic act. We're Talking The Pussycat Dolls Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ (00:00) Intro (00:38) Ashley Shares How She Joined the Pussycat Dolls (03:27) From Viper Room Dance Act to Global Pop Group (04:34) The Origins and Success of “Don’t Cha” (07:07) The Sheer Scale of Pussycat Dolls’ Success (08:18) Ashley’s Fondest Memory at the Height of Their Success (09:32) Saily Ad (11:22) The Structure of the Pussycat Dolls as a Group (13:55) Why the Pussycat Dolls Didn’t Reform Post-Covid (15:18) The Financial Success of the Pussycat Dolls (17:29) The Demanding Touring Schedule and Its Impact on Ashley (20:30) Paul Shows Ashley the Debut Pussycat Dolls Album Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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all began. Ashley Roberts takes us through the highs and lows of being a pussycat doll. From underground shows at the Viper Room to becoming one of the biggest girl groups in the world, this is the real story behind how the dolls were born. Do you now join this iconic group, The Pussy Cat Dolls? Well, my friend told me that there was this group called The Pussy Cat Dolls and all the best sort of female dancers were a part of it. And I was like, well, I want to try and audition. I want to be a part of that. I auditioned for it and ended up having a dance, having to sing,

and got the job. At that time, there was, like, loads of us. You know, there was, it was a, my God, I don't even know how many girls, but it was loads of us having fun, dressing up, having a good time, being, feeling girly and playful and fun. It wasn't until later that it turned into the pop group that everybody, you know, would know it as. So it, like, it started getting a buzz because Carmen Electra at the time,

started to come and doing gigs with us. And, you know, Carmen was big at that time. And, I mean, she's, you know, she's still doing her thing. And anyways, it just created a buzz of like, oh, well, why don't we go see the doll show before we, like, go out on a Friday night? And then it just sort of, like, bit by bit was like, well, Britney Spears wants to do something.

Christina Aguilera wants to come and do something. Charlize Theron wants to come and do something. And when Gwen Stefani came, That's when like, that's when things shifted because Gwen brought Jimmy the head of Interscope Records and he was like, this is cool. I might like take a few of you and make a pop group. Interesting. So that's, that's the origin. Was this all, so I was reading that, was this all in the Vipar Room?

The Vip Room's where it pretty much started, yeah. Okay. Yeah. All right. So this is Johnny Depp is, that's his. That was his place. Yeah, I don't know if he still owns it now, but yeah, back in the day, it was his, his, his, spot. Okay. Yeah. So he had the spot, Vipa, because I would always hear about the Vipar Room.

Yeah. It was a staple on Sunset Boulevard. Oh my gosh. Like super, super exclusive. Yeah. What do you think it was at that time about the Pussycat dolls in that iteration, right, that made everybody, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, like, that made them all want to do something with you all? I think it was just like something kind of fun and a bit sassy and girly thing to do. And because it was starting to get a buzz, it was like, well, that could be a fun thing, like, to pop in and do. And it kind of took you out of, like, maybe your regular routine or the songs that you've been doing. You come and do, like, some different kind of songs. I don't know. It just had this, like, buzz to it where everybody was coming to see the show before they'd be, like, heading out.

on a Friday or Saturday night. Now, you mentioned when Gwen Stefani performed with you, he brought Jimmy I.V. Yeah. So how did that then change the course of the group? Yeah, well, he just saw something like and was, started having conversations with Robin Anten who started the dolls and was like, you know, you got something going on here. Like, maybe there's something we could do here. And then I remember different kind of conversations happening about like, well, we might

do a song or like we might, you know, create. like a pop group out of this. And I was like, what? And at that time again, I was still doing other gigs and stuff. It was more like a side fun thing. So I was like,

yeah, okay, cool. You know, if that happens, that would be awesome. You know, not thinking necessarily like what it would become. I mean,

I definitely always sort of felt in my heart, like, that I loved being on stage. And that was like where I felt most at home. So that sort of like feeling was existing in me probably already. But, But yeah, it was when I remember sitting down.

I didn't know who Jimmy Iveen was at the time or Ron Farrell, all these, you know, big wigs that were amongst the music industry. I just remember being like, yeah, if you're going to pay me to like have a good time and do what I love, like, sure, I'll get on board. It wasn't until they said, okay, we got this song, don't you? Celo Green has written it. I was like, okay. Cilow Green wrote, don't you? Well, okay. for somebody else and then ended up being our song.

Okay. And then they said Buster Rhymes is going to be on this track. And I was like, that's what I was like, wait a minute. This is real. I called my mom and I was like, okay, I've just had a meeting and they're saying Buster Rhymes is going to be on a track with us. Like, what is happening? Yes.

Like I just think, I just was like, this is, this is wild. He's wild. So, all right, I have to ask about the composition of the group. Okay. Because you said at first it was... Yeah. So what, would you say 10 or more? Oh, more, yeah.

It was like 14? Yeah, yeah. It was like, gosh, I was probably like 14 to 20 of us. I mean, maybe even more depending on like what the gig was. But there was sort of like a six core group that were like the girls that sort of like a star today. And then a few other girls that would come in and then interchange. You know, it was like a show. So we didn't necessarily know what was going on ahead.

but I felt grateful to be an honor to be asked to join this. Yeah. So you go in, you record the song. Yeah. What happens next? It was, gosh, it was like, you know, it just all of a sudden it was like zero to 100. I mean, we definitely were playing at like, you know, smaller gigs and stuff. But all of a sudden we're playing at a gig and I'm like, oh my God, they're singing the lyrics.

They're singing back to us. Like, what's going on? Wait a minute. Whoa. Like, this is trace. Yeah. Like, they know this song. And I remember, like, just being on stage and be like, okay, this is cool.

This is interesting. And even just shooting a music video, you know, again, like, I shot music videos, but it was for somebody else, you know. So it just all, I remember Jimmy having, you know, quite a powerful presence with him and knowing that he was. was well connected, but I think also not being fully aware of, like, how his connections were also going to, like, help us get through some of these doors. Yes. And it was just like a rocket ship. It felt like that all of a sudden we were just all over the globe.

It was like, where are we at today? Like, what's going on? Interesting. Yeah. You know what's so interesting to me about the Pustickette dolls that I didn't realize until doing this research is roughly between 54, 55 million albums sold. There are a few groups like Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, Little Mix. Yeah.

These are groups that are above Pussy Cat Dolls. But Pussy Cat Dolls is top 10 of all time. Every now and then we pop up on TikTok and I'm like, oh, I don't like, I don't know. Look, we're still going. Still doing things. It's, it's, yeah, it seems like another life sometimes. I have to like remind myself, all right, I was there. Because it was, it was just such a, we were such in a bubble and it was happening so fast

that, you know, when we were sort of getting ready to possibly do the reunion, I was like, oh, I want to soak up every moment of this, you know, I really want to be present. Because when you're young and things are happening, and you're just like, whoa, okay. but like it was there was a lot going on oh my gosh there's a lot what do you think about the moment of high the moment of that this is

just surreal I'll never forget this moment in the group sharing like the stage with certain acts at time like we toured I mean it's crazy Rihanna supported us

back in the day yes oh my SOS days hold up for a second hold up for a second You're telling me, Rihanna opened for you. Neo Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

They did all right. They did all right. They had decent careers, you know. We were just a little like springboard for them. We were like, have fun. That was the opening lineup. Yeah. So, yeah, over in Europe, yeah, and Australia, wild.

We opened up and supported the peas. Christina Aguilera and Brittany Spears. Okay. So the mix was strong back in the day. But yeah, I mean, you know, it's like sharing, you hear, you know, we still like, to this day, you hear all the music. I'm like, wow, I shared moments and stages

with these people, I guess. It's still, sometimes you don't quite wrap your head around it. No. No. No. Can anyone tell me why roaming fees are always so expensive? I feel like every time I get back from traveling overseas, I'm hit with a jaw-dropping phone bill. It's actually why I'm excited to try our new partner, Saley,

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or scan the QR code on the screen. And if you want 15% off your first purchase, make sure you use my code, WNTT at checkout. Details are in the episode description. With the Pussy Cat Dolls, I think what was so interesting is that pretty much everyone around the world

can point to one or more songs from the Pussy Cat dolls. Truly, right? So I could point to many. What's your favorite? Buttons. Me too. Oh, is it?

That's your favorite? Okay, so now they were talking about buttons. Yeah, okay. This is good. I felt that you were, it felt like you were one of the lead dancers of this group. That's how it felt to me. I'm just giving you my opinion. Okay, okay.

I'm, and where I'm going with this, and this is a question, I'll give you my full context. Okay. I've been a part of ensemble casts, if you will, for almost my entire career. And what's interesting to me as being part of an ensemble cast is that we're never told, especially on television project, you're never told, okay, this person is the lead, this person is number two, this person is number three, four, five, whatever. You're not told that, right? The edited experience wasn't what I felt in the room. Okay. So that's me.

That's my experience. Was that your experience? There was a structure to the group that we knew about. So that structure played out through whatever it was, music videos, how routines were structured. And that's the way it was. So this, okay, and so the structure. And however much of this you don't want to talk about, we don't have to. right but the structure was what the structure was that Nicole was the lead singer and that was

the structure yeah that's that's how it seemed yeah I mean I you know it was it was I want to remember it as the legacy we've left behind the the the memory memories that I did have that were amazing being on these stages, getting to do what I loved. You know, I don't want to sit here and bash and speak negatively about it. I mean, it was a certain time as well, like, where, you know, there's different conversations being had about, like, what, and moments to maybe take for yourself of, like, what is going on here? How do I feel about this?

Maybe I'll voice that opinion. or all, you know, how is my mental health doing? That stuff just didn't exist then. It was like you just sort of, you got up and you got the job done. Do I wish it was a bit more expansive, you know, yes. But also I was getting to live out my dreams. And so to sit here and speak negatively about something makes me take away from also what the fuck I got to do. So now the group.

through the years, right? What ends up happening, and you tell me, is that there was, was it, was it right pre-COVID? Oh, yeah, pre-COVID. Where the whole thought was, okay, the group is going to go back out on tour. Yeah. All right. COVID obviously plays a big issue. Yes.

But then post-COVID, the group doesn't go back out. Yeah. And what's, at least what's what you see. You said this place was. Steps from the water. We just haven't found the steps yet. How much did we save? Enough.

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she came in and said niche niche to all of it. But there was then some, I can't actually, because there's legal stuff that was involved, so I can't actually speak about it. But, yeah, unfortunately, legal stuff started happening and it, it was. it wasn't able to get figured out. But, I mean, you never know, like, honestly, because I didn't think we'd get back out there the time that we did. So it'd be, it should be a shame not to. All right.

So, finance is my background. Okay. So, yeah, everyone's like, what? You're doing all kinds of things over. Yeah, so that was, my first career was finance. Was it? So I always look at everything from a financial lens. Okay.

So I started going down my nerd trail on how much money the pussycat dolls have made. Okay. Now you know what- Somebody else probably made a lot of money. This is what I'm going to say. I mean, we know. So do you know what my, what my calculation was? What?

Oh my God. Paul! Ah! What would you know my calculation was? What would you guess? I honestly wouldn't even have a clue. clue. I know that I was, and I mean, again, see, this is, I feel weird sometimes talking about this stuff because I don't want people to feel like I'm like, yo, girl, you got to go do your

dream, you got to travel, like, but when you work hard and then somebody else is capitalizing off of that, that's where it gets like a bit tricky. But I, you know, I was smart enough and I had good people around me at the time that I invested into a property. And listen, And at my age, I think I was like 27, 28, not a lot of people could do that. So I was like, I was grateful that I had that because I know I've heard some stories in the past where some people who didn't even, you know, have something to walk away with. Exactly, exactly. Nothing.

They had nothing to show you. Yeah. Right. At minimum, $250 million. That's a lot of cash. It's a lot of cash. That's a lot of cash. That's a lot of cash.

I saw. the highest grossing tours in certain areas. Yeah. Probably that Lady Gaga. Yeah, probably that one. Rihanna Neo lineup. Yeah. But in certain areas, highest grossing tour, you have 54 to 55 million albums sold.

You still have all the streams that are happening. There's merchandise going on. So minimum, 250 million, right? So you have then press articles. Yeah. Right. So all of that is all pressure that's being placed on you. And then also, I would imagine your schedule, especially when traveling, must have been. It was wild. Oh my gosh. It was wild. I remember we were in Cairo, Egypt, performing from the pyramids.

And at that time, I think us and Sting had only, I'm sure now it's changed, but it had only been, like, the artists that got to do this. You know, we're two don't show and, like, booty pop it. And I turn around like the sphinx and the pyramids. They're like lit up in different colors. And I'm like, what is going on? And then I'm on a plane, wake up, and I'm doing a kiss concert in Los Angeles, you know, like straight off the plane. Or at one point we're in three different countries in one day. Like, it was just mental the schedule. Yeah.

It was wild. It's wild. I mean, and so all of this is like this, I don't want to call it a tornado, but it is swirling around you. Yeah. Right. So all of this is swirling around you. How does that begin to impact your mind and your body? I mean, I think this schedule took its toll as there wasn't a lot of time really to take care of yourself.

Like, I remember being looking, I remember looking forward to those long haul flights because I was like, oh, that one's like, Australia is like how far? I have all that time to like rest on a plane and just like. disconnect and actually like get some sleep. I just felt like I wanted to just do the best that I could and go out there and perform. So really when my body started shutting down, that was when I was like, okay, I guess I got to, like take a little pause. Okay. Take a little moment.

When you said your body would shut down. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I've actually, I've spoken about this. So basically, we were in London doing a gig and I was sick and I was like, okay, I'm just ill. You know, probably caught something. vomiting and extreme headaches and it's not getting any better. And I'm like, okay, we need to get on a flight to go to Germany. Like, uh-oh, like, I don't think I can move.

And so I ended up going to the hospital. And they were like, okay, we think that you're having brain aneurysm. So we need you to chill. And I was like, why do I need to get on plane? So like, whatever y'all need to give me, like, let's get it done. And then I can go. And then as I'm walking to the MRI, my, my, my knee locks up. And I basically had viral arthritis. I didn't even know this with a thing.

So I couldn't bend my knee as I'm walking to get the MRI. So my body just was like, stop. I had to stop. I was having some kind of reaction to a virus that I had caught. And which was causing extreme headaches and then for my knee to lock up. Then you knee locked up. Yeah. All right. Then you went right back. Yeah. Yeah. You went right back. Yeah. But that, how is the show must go on?

I was like, let's, what I, okay, this is what I, this is what we do. So what do you think? I want to show you something. This is, I have many surprises for you. You ready? You ready? Oh, I'm doing things. Okay.

Okay. So then, given everything that you've just told me. Yeah. What is the first thing that you think about when you see this? Like a baby. This was an exciting thing. time because this was the first ever album cover so I was like you know I was like you were in it I was in it and I was like what I don't this you know these clothes like this is fun if if you can

give give young Ash some advice right there what would you tell her right when she's walking away from that photo shoot oh girl saddle up it's going to be it's going to be right put that seatbelt on I mean yeah but it's going to be it's going to be it's going to be everything you know it's like it's it was hard it was outrageous it was extreme it was intense it was tough it was there was tears there was like expression like you know like yes it was a lot but I would I would say yes again you would say yes again. Yeah. Now that, by the way, also is something that my boys would have no idea what that is,

that you're holding. So for anyone like my boys who are watching this. Don't know what this is. This is what we used to play music. Yes, this was the good old days. And I'd have like Ashley's like, you know. Spring just slid into your DMs. Grab that boho look for that rooftop dinner, those sandals that can keep up with you,

and hang some string lights to give your paddy. A Glow Up. Spring's Calling. Ross, work your magic. Fun playlist, going out list, like emotional playlist, like having fun playlist. Did you ever put your own music on your playlist? No. Stop it right now. No, I'm serious.

Put your own music on your playlist. You would never put buttons on your playlist. Oh my gosh, stop. Seriously. No way. No, really. No, no way. Really?

No. You never saying don't you to your boyfriend? What? Stop it right now. All right, all right, all right, dive, die, die. Oh my gosh, so grinchy. So bad. Babe.

Hey. You don't know of the shoulder. Yeah. And if you want to hear the full unfiltered stories from today's guest, you can check them out on the We Need to Talk page. Drop a like. leave a comment and hit subscribe. See you next week.