The Pussycat Dolls have finally addressed a years-old piece of pop lore involving Britney Spears, confirming that the singer was originally meant to appear in their 2008 “When I Grow Up” music video.
The revelation was shared during a recent appearance on Page Six radio, and put to rest long-circulating speculation about a scrapped cameo tied to one of the group’s biggest hits.
According to members Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, and Kimberly Wyatt, Spears was not only planned for the video—she may have even filmed her part.
Wyatt explained that a now-iconic scene, where the group turns and waves from a car in traffic, was originally intended to include Spears. “When we turn and we wave it was going to be Britney we were waving to,” Wyatt said, adding that the moment was ultimately reworked before release.
The missed cameo traces back to a pivotal time for both acts. The “When I Grow Up” video arrived as the Dolls were promoting their album Doll Domination, while also serving as the opening act on Spears’ 2008 Circus tour.
Wyatt noted that the decision to remove Spears’ appearance did not come from the group. “I think at one point she did film it, but for whatever reason it just didn’t end up — I don’t think her team allowed it to move forward,” she said.
Roberts echoed the uncertainty around the decision, suggesting it may have been influenced by outside management considerations at the time.
The timeline coincides with a period of significant personal and legal changes in Spears’ life, including the early stages of her conservatorship.
The renewed attention comes as the Pussycat Dolls re-enter the spotlight. After disbanding in 2010 and navigating a canceled reunion tour in 2020 due to the pandemic, the group is now preparing for a North American tour more than a decade later.
A legal dispute between Scherzinger and founder Robin Antin over that canceled tour was settled in 2024.
