Las Vegas Weekly

May 10, 2010 · 6 AM

Photos: DWTS frontrunner Nicole Scherzinger hosts at Pure

By Don Chareunsy

Nicole Scherzinger hosts at Pure in Caesars Palace on May 8, 2010.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Despite earning high marks and beating out stiff competition on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, Nicole Scherzinger remains modest about her chances of winning the coveted mirror disco ball trophy.

“I’m my own worst critic and my own competition, and I’m actually a big fan of the other dancers,” the Pussycat Dolls singer told Vegas DeLuxe on Saturday night on the red carpet outside Pure in Caesars Palace. Nicole is dancing this Season 10 with Las Vegas’ own Derek Hough, who won the trophy with Brooke Burke, now a co-host on DWTS.

The 31-year-old stunner, who was wearing a sheath mini-dress she designed herself and Sergio Rossi heels, posed for pictures on the red carpet outside the nightclub. A throng of fans jockeying to get a glimpse of Nicole cheered and screamed as she spoke with reporters. When one female fan yelled “I love you, Nicole!” she responded, “I love you, too!” then asked if the fans were going inside.

When queried about her chances of defeating ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, Olympic figure skating champion Evan Lysacek, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and Reno 911 actress Niecy Nash, she said, “It’s up in the air. Anybody can win the competition right now, so I just have to make sure to give it 110 percent every time.”

Nicole also was promoting her new single that’s about to be released, but she kept mum about details. “I think you’ll really like it. ... I don’t really like to talk the talk. I like to walk the walk."

Inside Pure, Nicole sang two PCD songs to the packed nightclub, “Don’t Cha” and “When I Grow Up,” before, oddly, the DJ cut her off and starting playing The Black Eyed Peas’ “Imma Be.”

Photo: TVT

Nicole Scherzinger hosts at Pure in Caesars Palace on May 8, 2010.

Rumors have been swirling about a possible relationship brewing between Derek and her, but Nicole quickly squashed them. She told another media outlet, “Platonic, I’ve got a boyfriend.”

“D is like my bro. ... We drive each other nuts in the studio, but we work and really share the same passions for what we do. He’s a great teacher and a cool friend.”

Nicole is dating racecar driver Lewis Hamilton and has two dances on tonight’s DWTS with Derek. VDLX loyal reader Richard Corey posted his video of the red carpet on YouTube.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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