Nicole Scherzinger Receives 6-Minute Standing Ovation in Broadway’s Sunset Blvd. Revival

Nicole Scherzinger has solidified her status as a bona fide Broadway star after delivering a stunning performance in the revival of Sunset Blvd., earning a six-minute standing ovation from an enraptured audience. The Pussycat Dolls singer took on the iconic role of Norma Desmond, a character immortalized by Gloria Swanson in the original 1950 film and brought to the stage by legends Patti Lupone and Glenn Close.

The Broadway revival, which opened at the St. James Theatre following a successful preview run, has been met with overwhelming acclaim, with Scherzinger’s performance being hailed as transformative. The actress, who won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the 2023 West End revival, brought a fresh, emotionally charged portrayal of Desmond to Broadway. Her performance has garnered not only applause but also comparisons to some of the greats, with critics lauding her vocal power, intensity, and undeniable stage presence.

The audience response, according to The Daily Beast, was not just a typical Broadway standing ovation. “It is not the usual Broadway standing ovation: polite and dutiful… This is something else. The whooping and applauding goes on and on, a wave upon wave of loud appreciation,” the outlet described, comparing the fervor to the reaction Bette Midler received in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!.

Critics have echoed the audience’s enthusiasm. Variety called the revival a “coming-out party” for Scherzinger, praising her “raw talent” and “magical” performance. The Washington Post remarked on her “radiance” in the role, highlighting her rendition of the show’s standout number, “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” Other outlets such as The Hollywood Reporterlauded her “roof-raising vocal power” and “astonishing” ability to deliver the musical’s most challenging songs with dramatic flair.

Scherzinger herself has expressed surprise at being offered the role, revealing that she never envisioned herself as Norma Desmond. She credits Sunset Blvd. composer Andrew Lloyd Webber with encouraging her to take on the challenge, instructing her to “just read the lines and listen to the music.” Reflecting on her connection to the character, Scherzinger remarked, “I didn’t realize that this is the role I’ve been waiting to play all my life.”

Though the show has earned widespread praise, some reviews were more divided. The New York Sun noted Scherzinger’s “remarkable, at times ludicrous, intensity,” and The Wrap described her performance as “outrageously campy” and over-the-top. However, even the critics who were less enamored admitted that Scherzinger’s presence on stage was captivating, with one reviewer stating, “you can’t take your eyes off her.”

As the Broadway revival of Sunset Blvd. continues to dazzle audiences, Scherzinger’s interpretation of Norma Desmond stands as a career-defining moment for the multi-talented performer. The production, which took in $1 million in its first week, is poised to continue its success as it reimagines a timeless classic for a new generation of theatregoers.

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