Email This StoryBaylor student finalist in TV show
March 28, 2008
 Courtesy PhotoCharlye Nichols will compete on "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" every Monday on CW. |
By Anna Taylor
Reporter
While flipping through television channels on Monday night, you might come across a familiar face.
Baytown junior Charlye Nichols is a contestant on the CW TV show, "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious," which is hosted by Mark McGrath from the band Sugar Ray.
Nichols is competing with 15 other finalists to become part of a musical group. Robin Antin, who created the Pussycat Dolls, is looking for three girls to become Girlicious and receive a record contract with Geffen Records.
Nichols graduated from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in 2005, a private Catholic girls' academy in Houston.
"Out of all the girls in our graduating class, I knew Charlye would be the one on TV," said Houston junior Kathleen Flavin, who attended high school with Nichols.
Nichols grew up singing and dancing. Her mother plays the piano at their church and Nichols has taken vocal and dancing lessons since she was 5 years old, Nichols said.
Nichols said she had always gone to a private school so coming to Baylor was an easy choice for her.
"Baylor makes me feel like I'm someone and not just a number like at other schools," Nichols said.
Nichols would not say what her plans were after graduation but while she is at Baylor she is enjoying college life.
"It's a delight having Charlye in my class this semester. I love seeing how excited she gets when she talks about the show. And the other students in the class are excited for her. I hope she becomes a huge star and I can say 'I knew her when,'" journalism lecturer Kevin Tankersey said.
Nichols said she always loved watching shows like "Making the Band" and thought to herself that she could do that.
"I watched the first season of the show and saw that they were having a casting call for this season in Houston. I had always wanted to try out for a show like this one," Nichols said.
Nichols attended the open call and was chosen with one other woman to go to Los Angeles.
She traveled to Los Angeles last summer where 150 women were narrowed down to the 15 that started the show.
"It was surreal and humbling, actually being on TV," Nichols said.
Nichols has received many different opportunities since being on the show.
She has met J.C. Chasez from 'N Sync, all of the Pussycat Dolls, Nelly, Dr. Dre and even Sean Combs, also known as P Diddy.
"Walking the red carpet was cool. I was nervous, but who wasn't?" Nichols said.
Nichols also worked with vocal coach Kenn Hicks. Hicks has coached groups like the Spice Girls and Jennifer Lopez. Nichols learned dance moves from Robin Antin and co-choreographer Mikey Minden.
Nichols said she has made lifetime friends with the other contestants on the show.
"It was like a sorority, going through a once-in-a-lifetime experience together. We all shared a bond," Nichols said.
Nichols said the experience has changed her life because it made her realize she can pursue her dreams.
"The biggest test was myself," Nichols said. "I only had myself to depend on throughout the show."
Singing in front of a big audience is not a problem for Nichols.
"I think it is harder to perform in front of my peers than in front of people I don't know," Nichols said.
"The Pussycat Dolls Presents: Girlicious" will be on CW at 8 p.m. Mondays.
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