Whatever. The fact of the matter is that *most* groups have a pecking order, are controlled by their handlers and have internal politics that tends to favor one or two members more than the others (Diana more than the rest of the Supremes...Michael more than the rest of the Jackson 5...Ralph more than the rest of New Edition...JC and Justin more than the rest of Nsync...Beyonce more than the rest of DC.) That's just what happens with groups. If there's one member who is especially charismatic, in a marketable sort of way, you stick them upfront -- even if the others are as technically talented.

But there was something about PCD that seemed extra phony. It was always obvious that they were just a manufactured troop of posing mannequins -- assembled by a machine, puppet mastered by a Svengali and only existed to be a launchpad for Nicole. She did most of the lead and backup vocals herself. *shrugs* Not news, and really who cares?

The public never saw them as group of talented (or semi-talented) girls who started out as childhood friends and struggled together to get where they were (The Supremes, Destiny's Child)...or even a group of talented singers who auditioned and made the cut because of how well their voices/personalities blended and talent/charisma complimented each others (En Vogue, TLC.)

The Pussycat Dolls were simply a stage show; a conglomerate of interchangeable dolls who could all be fired/replaced without anyone really noticing or caring...and the truth is that no one cared. Who the hell was a stan for The Pussycat Dolls? Even if you liked the songs, you took it all at face value and didn't get emotionally attached to them. In general, people casually accepted the music being pumped out and didn't give the rest of it much thought.

So Nicole getting on here and acting like *I did the work*...*I recorded the music*...etc., etc. is like yeah, and? She wouldn't have had it any other way either. Unfortunately for Nicole, there's just something about HER that becomes much less compelling when she's up on stage alone. The other dolls may have been nothing but hired models, but together they created enough of a detraction that was -- I guess -- marketable enough. Solo Nicole just doesn't have what it takes to stand out against other soloists.