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UNDERNEATH their skimpy outfits, bold hair and make-up, their sultry dance moves and lyrics, the Pussycat Dolls want us to know there's substance to their provocative style. Although the American all-girl pop group are unashamedly sexy, lead singer Nicole Scherzinger says they have a powerful message to promote to their young fans: "Self-confidence, self-love, love unto others and strength from within''. "We are women who are comfortable embracing our sensuality,'' Scherzinger has told Insider. "But that isn't what we strive for: we are performers and classically trained dancers. I think people just need to give us a chance before scrutinising us or stereotyping us. "Our music speaks for itself and is our driving engine. It represents us truly well. There are beautiful, powerful messages in our music.'' The Pussycat Dolls are scheduled to arrive in Australia this week, performing for Xbox on the steps of the Opera House on Tuesday. The event is free and is sure to draw a large crowd. Scherzinger, 30, spoke to Insider last week from Paris, where the Pussycat Dolls had performed at a concert. Despite having had only a few hours' sleep, Scherzinger was upbeat and ready to talk about all things, from music to her love life. She's excited to be visiting Sydney, saying: "I frigging love Australia.'' The Pussycat Dolls, formed in Los Angeles in 1995 by choreographer Robin Antin, have since created a global empire with their own dolls, reality television show, clothing range and a lounge bar in West Hollywood. There are five women in the group but Scherzinger is the lead, and the main, vocalist. Their first taste of fame came with the hit single Don't Cha, which launched the group on the global stage. It went to number one in numerous countries, including the US, Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Australia. Their first album - PCD - also inspired hits including Stickwitu, Beep and Buttons. Three years later, the girls are back with their second album - Doll Domination - and another huge global hit, When I Grow Up. "What is most important in this day and age with everyone's obsession over socialities, reality shows and everything, is to lead a healthy and good lifestyle,'' Scherzinger says. "Myself and the girls do that: we keep very good care of ourselves. We want that to be a reflection of what we do in our work. "We are not chasing around in cars drinking. We are very well aware that we have people that look up to us.'' But not everyone gets that message: in August, 2006, the Pussycat Dolls made international headlines for the wrong reason. After a performance in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, their promoter was charged with flouting the country's decency laws. Culture Minister Datuk Mohamad Arif Abdul Rahman said of the show: "I believe the way the Pussycat Dolls behaved amounted to gross indecency.'' They performed in Malaysia again a year later, but made sure they wore less revealing costumes the second time around. "We respected them and we came back in respectable wear for their culture,'' Scherzinger says. The singer is in a relationship with British Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton - Dannii Minogue's ex. The title of the Dolls' latest album doesn't leave much to the imagination when it comes to their aspirations. Given that they've sold millions of albums worldwide, they're certainly well on the way to dominating the world's pop charts. Doll Domination is out now. The Pussycat Dolls will perform at a free event on the steps of the Opera House on Tuesday. A full world tour is planned for 2009.
