Melody Thornton

Melody Thornton (born September 28, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter, dancer and television personality. She rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls. The youngest member of the group, Thornton assumed the second most prominent vocal role, after lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger, and was distinguished for her melismatic vocal runs. As of 2010, Thornton has departed from the group to focus on her solo career. Thornton's first mixtape, P.O.Y.B.L was released on March 15, 2012. In 2020, Thornton's first EP Lioness Eyes was released on August 7, 2020.

Not to be confused with Melanie Thornton.

Melody Thornton
Thornton at 2009 American Music Awards
Background information
Also known asMel, Baby Doll
Born (1984-09-28) September 28, 1984
OriginPhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, dancer
Years active2003–present
Labels
  • A&M
  • The Network Artist Agency
  • Melody SangReal
  • Republic
  • Island
Associated actsThe Pussycat Dolls
Websitemelodythornton.com

Early life

Thornton graduated from Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2003. She is of Mexican American descent through her mother, Elia, and African American descent through her father, Theolph Thornton. Thornton has an older sister named Nichole Thornton.[1] Her talent was first discovered at a Papago Elementary School talent show when she sang Mariah Carey's remake of Badfinger's "Without You".

Career

2003–10: Pussycat Dolls era
Main article: The Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls performing "Buttons" in Aberdeen, Scotland during the Doll Domination Tour

In 2003, Thornton saw The Pussycat Dolls on MTV Diaries featuring Christina Aguilera and heard they were auditioning for a new group member.[2] Thornton went to the audition on December 2, 2003, and was recruited later that month. For her audition, Thornton only sang, but was still accepted into the group as a soprano vocalist in order to add vocal strength. As with the other Dolls, she was a salaried employee of Interscope Records. Her nickname for the group is "Baby Doll" because she is the youngest & shortest of the group.

The Pussycat Dolls achieved worldwide success in 2005 with their album PCD, which debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200 Chart and produced the hits "Don't Cha", "Buttons", and "Stickwitu", the last of which earned the group a Grammy Award nomination. Following the departure of Carmit Bachar in March 2008, the group continued as a quintet and in 2008 released their second studio album, Doll Domination which included the hits "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part", "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" and "Hush Hush". She was the only member to have contributed vocals apart from Scherzinger on Doll Domination (Standard Edition). She provides additional backing vocals and ad-libs to several of the songs, although on Takin' Over the World", "Elevator", "Love the Way You Love Me" and "Painted Windows" she can be found sharing the lead vocals with Scherzinger. Additionally on "When I Grow Up" (music video version), "Whatcha Think About That", "In Person" and "Top of the World" she sings secondary vocals. She also recorded her very first solo song called "Space", which was included in the deluxe edition of Doll Domination.

2010–16: P.O.Y.B.L and other projects

During the Pussycat Doll's hiatus, Thornton worked on several projects including a cameo on Keri Hilson's music video "Slow Dance"[3] and being a judge at E!'s TV show Bank of Hollywood with the production by Ryan Seacrest.[4] In June 2010 Rap-Up reported that she has departed from the group and was working on her solo album.[5] Speaking about her position in the group she commented, "I got into the group to sing. That was made very clear to me. But it became more and more apparent what was going on. Roles were being minimized and minimized, and then by the time it got on the show, it was very much like 'Y'all play your part and this is what it is.' It was tough because you don't want to shit on your own opportunity."[6]

On February 20, 2010, in an interview for The Source Thornton explained that her songs will be different from the group's sound but will not going to abandon that pop demographic that she acquired through the Pussycat Dolls.[7] In June 2010 Rap-Up first announced that Thornton was working on her solo album with collaborators including Cee Lo Green, Polow da Don, and Lil Wayne.[5] On Vibe Magazine she stated that she is also working with Dre and Vidal.[8] Thornton's recording of the Cee Lo produced song "Love Gun" leaked to the internet around this time. The song was eventually recorded by Green and Lauren Bennett for his album The Lady Killer.[9][10]

On June 16, 2011, Thornton's first official single, "Sweet Vendetta", was released.[11] On June 26, 2011, Thorton announced plans to have her debut solo album released sometime in 2012.[12] On March 5, 2012, Lipstick & Guilt was released as a promotional single.[13] On March 15, 2012, her first mixtape "P.O.Y.B.L", an acronym for Piss on Your Black List, was released.[14][15] The mixtape contains 10 tracks of five remakes and four originals all written by Melody. The project includes production from Andre Harris ("Smoking Gun"), Church and State ("Sweet Vendetta"), Mark Vinten ("Intro"), and Melody on the self-produced "Hit the Ground Runnin'," plus a duet with Bobby Newberry (a cover of La Roux's "Bulletproof").

On May 24, 2012, a music video for the cover version of "Bulletproof" from P.O.Y.B.L, featuring Bobby Newberry, premiered.[16][17] On June 14, 2012, she made a cameo appearance in a Bobby Newberry's music video for his debut single Dirrty Up, alongside ex-Pussycat Doll member Ashley Roberts.[18]

On April 30, 2013, Thornton was a featured vocalist on LL Cool J's 2013 album Authentic on the track "Something About You (Love The World)" along with Charlie Wilson and Earth, Wind & Fire.

On May 17, 2013, Thornton made a special guest appearance in Fat Joe's music video "Ballin'".

2017–present: Broadway, television appearances and Lioness Eyes

In 2017, Thornton appeared in the second season of E4 reality series Celebs Go Dating, and in 2019, she participated in the eleventh series of Dancing on Ice alongside professional partner Alexander Demetriou. She finished in fifth place, after being eliminated in Week 8 following a skate-off against Saara Aalto.[19]

In June 2019, Thornton joined Rip It Up The Show, a 70’s musical on a theatre tour of the UK concluding in November 2019 at the London Palladium.

On November 16, 2019. Thornton released "Love Will Return" the first single from her upcoming EP Lioness Eyes. She then took the leading role as Cinderella in Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre's on December 7, 2019.

On July 24, 2020. Thornton released the second single "Phoenix Rise" and later released her first EP Lioness Eyes on August 7, 2020.

Discography

Extended Plays
Title Details
Lioness Eyes[20]
  • Release date: August 7, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: digital download

Mixtapes
Title Details
P.O.Y.B.L
  • Release date: March 15, 2012
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: digital download

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
"Sweet Vendetta" 2011 — P.O.Y.B.L
"Lipstick&Guilt" 2012 —
"Smoking Gun" —
"Someone to Believe" —
"Bulletproof"
(featuring Bobby Newberry)		 —
"Goodbye"
(with Bobby Newberry)		 2015 — Non-album singles
"Serial Killer"
(with Bobby Newberry)		 —
"Love Will Return" 2019 — Lioness Eyes
"Phoenix Rise" 2020 —


List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[21]
"Go Too Far"
(Jibbs featuring Melody Thornton)		 200617 Jibbs Featuring Jibbs
"Freak Like Me"
(Harrison featuring Melody Thornton)		 2019 — Non-album singles

Other appearances
Year Song Artist Album Note
2009 "Ease Off the Liquor" Timbaland Shock Value 2 Additional vocals[22]
2013 "Something About You (Love The World)" LL Cool J Authentic Featuring vocals w/ Earth, Wind & Fire & Charlie Wilson
2013 "Mittlefinger" Prince Kay One Rich Kidz Featuring vocals[22]
2013 "24/7" Prince Kay One Rich Kidz Featuring vocals[22]
2013 "I'll Be Fine" Bizzy Crook 84 Featuring vocals[22]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2002 The Pussycat Dolls Show Herself Documentary film
2005 Be Cool Pussycat Doll
2005 Strictly Come Dancing Herself Episode: "Week 7: Results"
2007 Keeping Up with the Kardashians Episode: "Birthday Suit"
2007 Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll Series regular
2008 Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious Series regular
2008 Dancing with the Stars Episode: "Round 6: Results"
2009 Bank of Hollywood Judge
2010 TV Guide's Countdown to the Grammys Host Co-host with Justin Guarini
2010 World Music Awards Herself Presenter
2011 Popstar to Operastar Contestant; 7 episodes
2013 Dance Moms Episode: "Candy Apple Showdown"
2017 Celebs Go Dating Contestant; 7 episodes
2017 Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls
2019 Dancing on Ice Contestant; with Alexander Demetriou

Music video roles
Year Song Artist Director
2009 "Slow Dance" Keri Hilson Chris Robinson
2011 "Don't Wanna Go Home" Jason Derulo Rich Lee
2012 "Dirrty Up" Bobby Newberry N/A
2013 "Ballin" Fat Joe Elf Rivera

Awards and nominations
gollark: I *can* actually delete things, but this is the extent of my moderate powers.
gollark: This is a vaguely ridiculous argument too.(even ignoring my issues with this particular case, it's false-dichotomous)
gollark: I do not consider this *less* ominous.
gollark: There are something like four people with actual power to do that and you haven't contacted any as far as I can tell.
gollark: Not really. I don't mind sonata much.

References
  1. "Pussycat Dolls: More than a novelty act?". MSN. Associated Press. November 28, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  2. Iwasaki, Scott. "Pussycat Dolls pounce on Salt Lake". Deseret News. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  3. Rodriguez, Jayson (September 29, 2009). "Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Others Shoot Video in Los Angeles". MTV. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  4. Hibberd, James (November 29, 2009). "New E! reality show has folks asking celebs for cash". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  5. "Video: Melody Thornton Sings at Dodger Stadium". Rap-Up. June 3, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  6. Hova, Tray (September 24, 2010). "V Vixen Exclusive: Melody Thornton Speaks On Dating Rumors, Going Solo & The Real Reason PCD Broke Up". Vibe. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  7. Michaels, Kiko (February 20, 2010). "The Source – Melody Thornton – Interview". The Source. L. Londell Mcmillan. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  8. "Melody Talks The Real Reason PCD Broke Up, Solo Work & Never Returning To Girl Groups". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  9. "New Music: Cee Lo Green f/ Lauren Bennett – 'Love Gun'". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  10. "Cee Lo Green Confirms Christina Aguilera Duet". Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  11. "Sweet Vendetta – Single By Melody Thornton". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  12. "Melody Thornton Interview at 2011 BET Awards 'Creme of the Crop'". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  13. "Lipstick&Guilt". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  14. "Melody Thornton Reveals 'P.O.Y.B.L' Mixtape Cover, Tracklisting, & Appearance On 'The Splash'!". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  15. "New Music: Melody Thornton – 'P.O.Y.B.L' [Mixtape]". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  16. "New Video: Melody Thornton – 'Bulletproof'". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  17. "Melody Thornton & Bobby Newberry – Bulletproof – Official Music Video". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  18. "Bobby Newberry Ft. Jessie & The Toy Boys – Dirrty Up – OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO". Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  19. "Dancing On Ice fans 'gutted' as Melody Thornton is eliminated". Evening Standard. February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  20. "Lioness Eyes by Melody Thornton". amazon. August 7, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  21. "Melody Thornton New Zealand discography". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  22. "Timbaland – Presents Shock Value II (CD, Album) at Discogs". discogs. December 4, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
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