Singer and actress Nicole Scherzinger is opening up about her faith and the importance of living it out boldly — even in an industry that doesn’t always welcome it. The former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman shared in a new interview with Variety that her Christian faith is central to her life and identity, despite criticism she’s faced for expressing it publicly.

“I think Christianity does get a bad rap,” Scherzinger said. “But I think that’s why, if you’re a true Christian, you have to lead by example and be the light.”

The pop star, who has spent decades in the entertainment industry as a singer, dancer, and television judge, said she’s determined to live out her faith authentically in Hollywood. She shared that she regularly attends church in Los Angeles and is surrounded by a strong community of fellow believers. “I have a wonderful church that I go to in Hollywood. Most of my friends in Hollywood are Christians,” she said.

Scherzinger has previously drawn headlines for publicly expressing her faith, including a social media controversy last year when she commented on a post from comedian and Christian convert Russell Brand. In the video, Brand wore a “Make Jesus First Again” hat — a play on Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. Scherzinger commented enthusiastically, writing, “Where do I get this hat?!” with prayer hands and heart emojis.

The post sparked backlash online, as many critics accused her of aligning herself politically with Trump supporters. Scherzinger later deleted the comment and clarified her intentions in a heartfelt apology. “Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most,” she wrote. “If you know me, you know that. For me, Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and—above all—unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now.”

Nearly a year later, Scherzinger said she doesn’t regret the spirit behind her comment and stands by her desire to express her love for Jesus publicly. “I think people misunderstood what I was trying to say,” she reflected. “I was celebrating faith — not politics.”

The singer also credited her family for laying the foundation of her spiritual life. Born to a single mother in Honolulu, Hawaii, Scherzinger was raised in a devout Christian household, where her grandparents played a significant role in shaping her beliefs. “My papa started out as an atheist, and then he would go on to be a priest and then a bishop, and now he’s an archbishop for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” she said.

She also spoke fondly of her grandmother’s family, who embodied faith through hardship. “My tutu’s mother had 22 pregnancies — four miscarriages and 18 children — living in a little three-bedroom house and having no money but a strong faith. That’s the blood that I am.”

For Scherzinger, being a Christian in Hollywood isn’t about fitting in — it’s about standing firm. Her message to others is simple: let your light shine. “Faith has always grounded me,” she said. “No matter where I am, I try to lead with love. That’s what being a Christian is really about.”