Melody Thornton

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Not to be confused with Melanie Thornton.

Melody Thornton
Thornton in 2009
Thornton in 2009
Background information
Born (1984-09-28) September 28, 1984 (age 39)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
Years active2003–present
Labels
Formerly ofThe Pussycat Dolls
Websitemelodythornton.com

Melody Thornton (born September 28, 1984) is an American singer and television personality. After graduating high school, Thornton became one of the main vocalists of the pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls and released the albums PCD (2005) and Doll Domination (2008) becoming one of the world's best-selling girl groups. As part of the group, she has received a Grammy Award nomination.

Following her departure from the group in 2010, Thornton independently released a mixtape, P.O.Y.B.L (2012), and an EP, Lioness Eyes (2020). Outside her music, she has competed on reality shows, Popstar to Operastar (2011), Dancing on Ice (2019) and won the fourth season of the Australian version of The Masked Singer (2022). She has also done several stage works, including playing Rachel Marron in the musical The Bodyguard.

Early life[edit]

Melody Thornton is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and was born on September 28, 1984, to a family of Mexican and African-American descent.[1][2][3] She was educated in Camelback High School.[4] Her first performance was at her school, where she sang "This Little Light of Mine" at the age of six, and continued to perform at local talent shows in Arizona.[5] After high school, she majored in music engineering for one semester.[5][6]

Career[edit]

2003–2010: The Pussycat Dolls[edit]

Main article: The Pussycat Dolls
Thornton (second to the right) with the Pussycat Dolls performing onstage.

At the age of 19, Thornton traveled to Burbank, California to audition for the Pussycat Dolls.[5] The group's founder Robin Antin, struck a deal with Interscope Geffen A&M Records' Jimmy Iovine to develop the Pussycat Dolls into a brand and create a separate recording pop group.[7] Thornton was selected to strengthen their vocal ability and joined Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Nicole Scherzinger, Jessica Sutta, and Kimberly Wyatt,[8] and signed a contract with the Pussycat Dolls partnership, receiving a percentage of the group's revenues.[7] Thornton along with Bachar supplied vocals as secondary vocalists, while Scherzinger assumed the majority of the vocals as the lead singer.[9] Thornton was the youngest and the only member who did not have a background in dance.[10][11] The group released their first single, "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes), which stands as group's most successful single to date peaked number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached the top in other 15 countries.[12][13] Thornton didn't like the song in the beginning, as she found too controversial.[14] They released their self-titled debut album in September 2005. Subsequent singles, "Stickwitu and "Buttons" also reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[15] PCD went on to sell seven million copies worldwide and established the Pussycat Dolls as viable in the music industry earning them a reputation among the century's few breakout successes.[16][17]

Thornton was featured on Jibbs' single "Go Too Far", which was released on March 2007;[18] it entered the top-twenty on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[19] Their second and final studio album Doll Domination was released in September 2008, the album attained its highest peak position on the US Billboard 200, but it is considered a commercial disappointment selling less than 400,000 copies in the US.[20] Doll Domination included the singles "When I Grow Up" and "I Hate This Part", which reached the top twenty on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[21] In January 2009, the group embarked on the Doll Domination Tour, their second headlining concert tour, which highlighted stops in Europe, Oceania and Asia,[22] and grossed over $14 million.[a] Following the release of the group's single 2009 "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)", tensions in the group rose due to Scherzinger being billed as a featured artist on the release. This would go on to lead to a public outburst by Thornton during the group's tour appearance while opening for The Circus Starring Britney Spears.[24] The group would then announce a hiatus towards the end of the year.[25]

Thornton then appeared as a panelist on E!'s Bank of Hollywood in which contestants must appeal to a celebrity panel to receive money. It lasted for one season.[26] In June 2010, Thornton confirmed she had departed the Pussycat Dolls and was working on a solo album.[27]

2011–present: Independent releases, television, and stage work[edit]

Main article: P.O.Y.B.L

Since her departure from the group, Thornton has remained an independent artist.[28] In June 2011 she participated in the second series of Popstar to Operastar, a British television programme in which pop stars were trained to sing opera; she was eliminated in the third week.[29] The same month she released her debut single "Sweet Vendeta"[30] which preceded the release of her debut mixtape, P.O.Y.B.L (Piss On Your Black List), the following year. It contains ten tracks which consistst of five covers and four songs solely written by Thornton.[31] In 2013 she collaborated with Bizzy Crook, LL Cool J, and Prince Kay One for their respective albums released that year.[32][33][34]

In 2017, Thornton returned to British television by appearing on the second series of Celebs Go Dating and Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls.[35][36] She then landed the lead role of Rachel Marron in the musical The Bodyguard, which toured in China for several months.[37] In 2019, Thornton was eliminated on the eight week and placed fifth on the eleventh series of Dancing on Ice.[38] This was followed with stage roles on Rip It Up – The 70s, a show inspired by music of the 70s and played the part of Cinderella in the New Wimbledon Theatre production of the family pantomime, Cinderella.[39] Thornton opted out to join the November reunion of the Pussycat Dolls in order to focus on her solo endeavors.[15] She collaborated with UK DJ producer Harrison on the dance track "Freak Like Me" and released her first solo track in seven years, "Love Will Return". A ballad that is a nod to her heritage and serves as the lead single for her debut EP, Lioness Eyes.[40] The EP, which includes seven songs was released on August 7.[41]

In 2022, Thornton competed and won the fourth season of the Australian version of The Masked Singer as "Mirrorball"[42] and the following year reprised her role as Rachel Marron in the 2023 UK and Ireland production of the musical The Bodyguard.[37]

In February 2024, Thornton participated in the fifth series of The Masked Singer UK as the character "Maypole". She was eliminated and unmasked in the sixth episode.

Artistry and musical style[edit]

Thornton was inspired to sing after her father's favorite artists, BB King, Aretha Franklin, and The Jacksons.[5] In another interview, she named Mariah Carey as a vocal inspiration.[43] Her vocals were likened to Christina Aguilera's.[9]

Discography[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays, with track listings
Title Album details
Lioness Eyes[41]
  • Released: August 7, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Streaming
Track listing
  • 1. "Pray For Me"
  • 2. "Goodbye To Happiness"
  • 3. "Love Will Return"
  • 4. "Sing About You"
  • 5. "I Will Wait"
  • 6. "Lioness Eyes"
  • 7. "Phoenix Rise"

Mixtapes[edit]

Title Details
P.O.Y.B.L
  • Released: March 15, 2012
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles[edit]

List of singles, showing album name and year released
Title Year Album Ref.
"Sweet Vendetta" 2011 P.O.Y.B.L [30]
"Love Will Return" 2019 Lioness Eyes [44]
"Phoenix Rise" 2020 [45]
"I Will Wait"

Featured singles[edit]

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing album name and year released
Title Year Peaks Album
NZ
[19] 		UK
[46]
"Go Too Far"
(Jibbs featuring Melody Thornton) 		2006 17 126 Jibbs Featuring Jibbs
"Freak Like Me"
(Harrison featuring Melody Thornton) 		2019 – – Non-album single

Album appearances[edit]

List of album appearances, showing album name and year released
Title Year Other artists Album(s) Ref.
"Space" 2008 The Pussycat Dolls Doll Domination[b] [48]
"Ease Off the Liquor"[c] 2009 Timbaland Shock Value 2 [49]
"Something About You (Love The World)" 2013 LL Cool J
Charlie Wilson
Earth, Wind & Fire 		Authentic [33]
"Mittelfinger" Prince Kay One Rich Kidz [34]
"24/7"
"I'll Be Fine" Bizzy Crook 84 [32]

Music videos[edit]

Title Year Other artist(s) Director(s) Ref.
As a lead artist
"Lipstick&Guilt" 2012 — Dano Cerny
Marielle Tepper
[50]
"Smoking Gun"
[51]
"Someone to Believe" Yaro
[52]
"Bulletproof" Bobby Newberry Don Tyler
[53]
"Goodbye" 2015 Noel Maitland
[54]
Guest appearances
"Slow Dance" 2009 Keri Hilson Chris Robinson
[55]
"Don't Wanna Go Home" 2010 Jason Derulo Rich Lee
[56]
"Ballin" 2013 Fat Joe
Wiz Khalifa
Teyana Taylor 		Elf Rivera
[57]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Be Cool
2005
 Herself Uncredited cameo
[58]
Holiday Twist
2023
 Brenda
[59]

Television[edit]

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
2007
 Herself Episode: "Birthday Suit"
[60]
Bank of Hollywood
2009
 Judge Season 1
[26]
Popstar to Operastar
2011
 Contestant Series 2
[61]
Celebs Go Dating
2017
 Contestant Series 2
[35]
Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls
2017
 Contestant Series 2
[36]
Dancing on Ice
2019
 Contestant Series 11
[38]
The Masked Singer Australia
2022
 Mirrorball Season 4
[42]
The Masked Singer UK
2024
 Maypole Series 5

Stage credits[edit]

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
The Bodyguard
2017
 Rachel Marron China tour
[37]
Rip It Up – The 70s
2019
 — UK tour
[62]
Cinderella 2019-2020 Cinderella New Wimbledon Theatre
[39]
The Bodyguard
2023
 Rachel Marron UK and Ireland tour
[37]

Awards and nominations[edit]

See also: List of awards and nominations received by the Pussycat Dolls
Award Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
Grammy Awards
2007
 "Stickwitu" Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Nominated
[63]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ The gross takings from the 23 shows which were reported to Billboard Boxscore totalled $14.3 million.[23]
  2. ^ Each member was credited to a solo track on the European double-disc deluxe version of the album.[47]
  3. ^ Thornton contributed to additional vocals on the song.

References[edit]

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  2. ^ "Melody Thornton: Biography". Allmusic. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Pussycat Dolls: More than a novelty act?". Associated Press. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Scot, Eugene. "Celebrities Attended Phoenix High School". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Davis, Todd (October 2, 2008). "Melody Thornton of The Pussycat Dolls: Taking Over The World". Rapindustry.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  6. ^ Scougall, Murray (January 23, 2023). "'Black artists like me owe everything to Whitney': Former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton reveals debt to soul legend as she reprises iconic role". The Sunday Post. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Ethan (August 26, 2005). "Pussycat Dolls, Music Label Share All Profits in Novel Deal". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
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  10. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (May 18, 2006). "Pussycat Dolls pounce on Salt Lake". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
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  12. ^ Carr, Daphne (July 2, 2018). "The Story of Girl Groups in 45 Songs". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  13. ^ Hunt, Elle (November 28, 2019). "Nicole Scherzinger: 'I was living in a very dark world – either working or tormenting myself'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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  19. ^ a b "Melody Thornton New Zealand discography". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
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  23. ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 29. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 25, 2009. p. 32. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  24. ^ Ganz, Caryn (April 27, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls Fight, Danity Kane Split: Bad Week for Girl Groups". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 10, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 24, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls 'Taking A Break,' Melody Thornton Says". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Hibberd, James (November 3, 2009). "Seacrest, E! "Bank" on celebs for money". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  27. ^ "Video: Melody Thornton Sings at Dodger Stadium". Rap-Up. June 3, 2010. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  28. ^ Gracie, Bianca (August 16, 2020). "Melody Thornton On How Her Comeback EP 'Lioness Eyes' Reshaped Her Musical Identity". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  29. ^ Sperling, Daniel (June 19, 2011). "Melody Thornton axed from 'Popstar to Operastar'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  30. ^ a b "New Music: Melody Thornton - 'Sweet Vendetta'". Rap-Up. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  31. ^ "New Music: Melody Thornton - 'P.O.Y.B.L' [Mixtape]". Rap-Up. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Bizzy Crook. 84 (CD). Independent release.
  33. ^ a b LL Cool J. Authentic (CD). 429 Records.
  34. ^ a b Prince Kay One. Rich Kidz (CD). AP Allstars (Embassy of Music).
  35. ^ a b Sandwell, Ian (February 20, 2017). "Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton makes her Celebs Go Dating debut with a "fingering" confession". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  36. ^ a b Anderton, Joe (August 29, 2018). "Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls is back and the 'alpha males' are annoying viewers even more than the contestants". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d Millward, Tom (July 19, 2022). "Melody Thornton to lead UK and Ireland tour of The Bodyguard". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Mccreesh, Louise (February 24, 2019). "Melody Thornton becomes the eighth celebrity to leave Dancing on Ice 2019". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "All-star line-up announced for Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre". Londontheatre1.com. September 16, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  40. ^ "Melody Thornton Returns with Powerful Single 'Phoenix Rise'". Rap-Up. July 24, 2019. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
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  42. ^ a b Kelly, Vivienne (August 29, 2022). "'The Masked Singer Australia' Bows Out With 955,000 Viewers". Variety. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
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  49. ^ Timbaland. Shock Value 2 (CD). Blackground and Mosley Music Group.
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  51. ^ "Video: Melody Thornton – 'Smoking Gun'". Rap-Up. April 2, 2012. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
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  54. ^ "Video: Bobby Newberry & Melody Thornton – 'Goodbye'". Rap-Up. May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  55. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson – 'Slow Dance'". Rap-Up. September 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  56. ^ "Video: Jason Derulo – 'Don't Wanna Go Home'". Rap-Up. May 25, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  57. ^ "Video: Fat Joe f/ Wiz Khalifa & Teyana Taylor – 'Ballin". Rap-Up. May 17, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  58. ^ Bond, Nick (August 9, 2022). "I think I've picked this season's Masked Singer contestants". news.com.au. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  59. ^ Urban, Sasha (June 23, 2022). "'Holiday Twist' Adds Sean Astin, Neal McDonough to Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  60. ^ "Melody Thornton". Apple TV. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
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  63. ^ "Melody Thornton - Artist". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.

External links[edit]

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