Nicole Scherzinger has performed for thousands both solo and with the Pussycat Dolls, but she was "nervous and scared" before taking the stage on Monday night's Dancing With the Stars, her partner, Derek Hough, tells Us. Scherzinger earned the highest score of the night — 25 out of 30 — and most praise from the judges. Scherzinger is blogging for UsMagazine.com:
Performing was a lot more nerve-wracking than I expected, but then again, I did expect it to be very nerve-wracking!
I'm a singer before I'm a dancer and this isn't anything like I've ever experienced before. And the whole live audience! It's crazy. I think you just have to work hard to hope you get through it. When you get out there and and you realize it's live? You're counting every step out there. You just hope you're getting it right!
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Even though my hands were shaking when we were up there about to dance, Derek was a pro and is an awesome partner.
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Brooke Burke did awesome as a new judge. I think she was the best choice for the job. And she looked hot! She gave me great advice. She said to just enjoy it, and pointed out, "The first show's hard, but it only gets harder!" Haha. I'm really ready to work hard to keep the momentum going.
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Derek and I are also having fun. We sing together in the studio every day. I almost feel like we've formed our own band. [Jokes Hough, who performs in the Ballas Hough Band, "We have singing competitions all the time and I always win! Just kidding, but she is one of the most amazing opera singers I have ever heard and people don't know that."]
Read Cheryl Burke's blog next Tuesday on UsMagazine.com.
