After an unforgettable run, Nicole Scherzinger has taken her final bow as Norma Desmond in the Tony Award-winning revival of Sunset Blvd. at the St. James Theatre on Broadway.
The performance, held on Sunday, July 20, marked the last show of the critically acclaimed production, which had seen 20 previews and 312 regular performances.
As the curtain closed, Scherzinger, 47, shared an emotional message on her Instagram, reflecting on her transformative experience playing the role of the fading silent film star who dreams of a comeback.
“Today, the sun sets on Sunset Blvd for the final time,” Scherzinger wrote. “After living and breathing Norma Desmond for the past two years, it’s almost impossible to grasp that today is the last show.”
A Journey to Remember
What started as a limited run eventually turned into a nearly 10-month Broadway journey. Scherzinger admitted she could hardly believe how quickly the time had passed. “What began as a limited run, then extended, now somehow, nearly 10 months on Broadway have flown by,” she wrote.
Scherzinger’s portrayal of Norma Desmond captivated audiences from the start, earning rave reviews for her powerhouse performance and her emotional depth.
Her role, she reflected, resonated deeply with those who have ever felt isolated, abandoned, or like outsiders. “Norma’s story is for anyone who’s ever felt alone. Lonely. Abandoned. Outcast. For anyone who never felt like they belonged,” Scherzinger continued. “For those who once loved something deeply and had it taken from them, aching to reclaim it.”
The actress concluded her message by saying, “Norma has changed me forever” and expressing gratitude to the people behind the production, including Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Jamie Lloyd.
A Broadway Debut Like No Other
Scherzinger’s performance as Norma Desmond in Lloyd’s stripped-back, modern production of Sunset Blvd. marked a career milestone. The role marked her Broadway debut, and critics hailed her as a revelation.
Audiences gave her a six-minute standing ovation at the show’s opening in October 2024, recognizing the emotional intensity and technical brilliance she brought to iconic songs like “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”
Reflecting on her debut in PEOPLE’s digital cover story in May, Scherzinger spoke about how much the role had changed her: “I have worked many, many years to build up to this moment, and it’s changed my life. I’ve never been more happy, I think, because I always had so much inside of me that I felt like people didn’t see or understand.”
The former Pussycat Dolls member’s talent was first showcased in the iconic role during a sold-out run at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, where she received rave reviews and won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She brought the same intensity and vulnerability to her Broadway performance, drawing sold-out crowds week after week.
A Stripped-Back Approach and Personal Growth
The production’s stripped-down design, with colorless costumes and minimalist sets, forced Scherzinger to be at her most vulnerable. “I’ve had to just chip away at my insecurities, at my ego, at my fears,” she shared in an interview.
“You can’t have any vanity when you’re just like pretty much laying it all on the line, with the worst lighting and snot laying down your face.” Despite the challenges, Scherzinger described the experience as a transformative evolution for her.
“I have grown so much in so many ways and I’ve healed so much,” Scherzinger reflected. “I’m forced to look at these insecurities and these fears every night within this character, that I’m getting in tune with and in touch with. And because of that, in a weird way, it’s healed a lot of my stuff in the past issues that I’ve had.”
What’s Next for Scherzinger?
As Sunset Blvd. closed its Broadway chapter, Scherzinger’s journey doesn’t end here. She’s looking forward to her future, with wedding plans on the horizon. Her fiancé, Thom Evans, proposed in June 2023, and the couple is preparing for their big day.
Scherzinger also hinted at future possibilities within the music and theater world. “I have many dreams because sky’s the limit,” she said. “Nicole’s got a lot more chapters to her as an artist.
But I’m built for the stage, and I can’t wait to share that.” Scherzinger has even mentioned the possibility of a solo tour or a residency, and she sees herself returning to Broadway down the line.
Reflecting on the Journey
While Scherzinger acknowledged that it might take some time to fully process the magnitude of her Sunset Blvd. experience, she concluded with a hopeful and grateful note. “I don’t think I’ll fully be able to have seen it from the outside until I’m done with it,” she said earlier this year.
“I’m so immersed in Norma Desmond’s world and too focused on making every performance — the first and the last. When it’s all said and done, then I’ll be able to be like, ‘Wow, that’s probably one of the greatest achievements of my entire life.’”
Nicole Scherzinger’s run in Sunset Blvd. has been a transformative and unforgettable chapter in her career. As she moves on from Broadway, she carries with her the emotional impact of playing Norma Desmond—a role that changed not just her career, but her personally.
Her Broadway debut will go down in history as one of the most celebrated performances of the year, and it’s clear that Scherzinger’s stage career is far from over. With dreams of future tours, residencies, and even possible Broadway returns, the sky’s the limit for this multi-talented performer.
