Jessica Lynn Sutta (born May 15, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and former actress. She is a former member of the pop group the Pussycat Dolls. As a solo artist, Sutta shelved her first attempt with a debut album, Sutta Pop (2012), but went on to release two studio albums Feline Resurrection (2016) and I Say Yes (2017) and reached four number ones on US Dance Club Songs ("Show Me", "Make It Last", "I'm Gonna Get You" and "Distortion"), becoming the only former Pussycat Dolls' member to reach the top of an American chart.[1]

Jessica Sutta
Sutta in 2012
Sutta in 2012
Background information
Birth nameJessica Lynn Sutta
Also known asJ Sutta
Born (1982-05-15) May 15, 1982 (age 42)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
Years active2001–present
Labels
Formerly ofThe Pussycat Dolls

Prior to her music career, Sutta become captain squad Miami Heat's cheerleading squad in her teens and she had a brief acting career in the films Bully (2001) and From Justin to Kelly (2003) and soap opera Ocean Ave. (2002–2003).[1]

Early life

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Jessica Lynn Sutta was born in Miami, Florida to a Catholic and Jewish family of Russian and Polish descent. At the age of three, she was enrolled in various dance classes and would later attend Miami City Ballet and the New World School of the Arts at the age of 14 to further her dance skills.[2][1] When she was 17, Sutta tore her ACL on both knees and switched to theatre, thinking her dance career was over.[3][4] Eventually, through rehabilitation Sutta's knees healed and joined NBA's cheerleading squad Miami Heat in 1999, becoming the captain in 2001.[3][5]

Career

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2001–2010: Acting and the Pussycat Dolls

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Sutta performing live in 2006.

In 2001 Sutta debuted as an actress in the crime drama film Bully, directed by Larry Clark.[1] From 2002 to 2003 she was cast as a series regular on Ocean Ave., in which she played Jody, a rich and arrogant teenager of an elite family.[6][7] In 2003 she played Nadine in the romantic comedy film From Justin to Kelly. She moved to Los Angeles to work as a dancer and met choreographer Robin Antin, who asked her to join the Pussycat Dolls, along with Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt.[8] The group achieved worldwide success with the singles "Don't Cha", "Stickwitu", "Buttons", and their multi-platinum debut album PCD (2005). Their second and final studio album Doll Domination (2008) contains hit singles "When I Grow Up", "I Hate This Part", and "Jai Ho!".[9]

Despite their commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict due to the emphasis on Scherzinger and the subordinate treatment of the other members.[10] In February 2010, for these reasons, Sutta, Wyatt, Roberts, and Thornton had announced their departures from the Pussycat Dolls and the group disbanded.[11] Sutta said in an interview she was tired of living in "the shadow of Scherzinger".[12]

2010–2018: Feline Resurrection and I Say Yes

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Sutta performing live in 2012.

On September 19, 2010, Sutta released her debut solo single, "I Wanna Be Bad", as an independent artist, and the music video premiered exclusively on MTV.[13][14][15] In 2011 Sutta signed with Hollywood Records and released her first single on a record label, "Show Me", on August 23.[16][17][18] The song peaked at number one on the US Dance Club Songs, becoming the first former Pussycat Dolls to reach the top of an American chart.[19] In 2012 she worked on her debut album, titled Sutta Pop and produced by Timbaland, RedOne and Busbee, recording songs such as "Amplify", "Good Boy", "Jack in the Box", "Disco Ball" and "Kissing the Sky".[20][21][22] She also toured in festivals in US.[23] Sutta planned to release "Make It Loud" as the lead single, but in October 2012 she was fired from Hollywood and the album was canceled; the label said they didn't know how to promote her image into a catalog of teen artists.[24][25]

In 2013 she signed with the independent label Citrusonic Stereophonic and released two singles, "Again" on March 26 and "Lights Out" on August 20 – both songs reached top 5 on US Dance Club Songs.[26][27] In 2014 she signed with she signed to another independent label, Premier League Music, and released "Candy".[28] On the label, she released a series of singles, including "Bottle Bitch", "Let It Be Love", "Feline Resurrection" and "Damn! (I Wish I Was Your Lover)".[29] On June 9, 2016 she released her debut mixtape, Feline Resurrection, just for free download on her website.[30] The album compiled the five previously singles and twelve new songs. On March 3, 2017 she released her second work, I Say Yes, also her debut studio album commercially, produced by Dave Audé and Danny Majic.[31] The album was promoted with singles "Forever", "I Say Yes", "Feel Like Making Love" and "Distortion", which reached her fourth number one on US Dance Club Songs.[32]

2019–present: The Pussycat Dolls reunion

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On November 29, 2019, the Pussycat Dolls confirmed their comeback and, on February 7, 2020, they released a new single, "React", with a live performance on the finale of The X Factor: Celebrity.[33][34][35] They announced a 36-date world tour, but plans were canceled due the worsening situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the group ended the reunion in 2021.[36]

In 2021 Sutta took a hiatus from her artistic career to become a mother.[37]

Personal life

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Sutta at LGBT Marriage Rights parade in 2012.

From 2009 to 2011 Sutta dated American dancer Joseph Slaughter.[38] From 2012 to 2014 she dated Australian presenter James Tobin.[39] In 2016 Sutta met drummer Mikey Marquart and they married on September 14, 2019 in Malibu.[40][41] In May 2021, Sutta gave birth to a boy, Michael Jesse.[37]

At the height of the Pussycat Dolls popularity, Sutta was struggling with alcoholism.[42] After the end of the group the problem got worse.[43] She has abstained from alcohol since 2016 after entering in Miami Beach House Rehab Center.[40]

Philanthropy

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Sutta is a supporter of gay rights. In December 2010, she appeared in a YouTube video by the LGBT for-profit company FCKH8, and a play on the NOH8 Campaign.[44] In 2016, Sutta headlined the second annual Babes for Boobs bachelor auction benefitting Susan G. Komen L.A. She also headlined the Main Stage at San Francisco Pride and paid tribute to the victims and families of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Discography

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Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
2001 Bully Emma[45]
2003 From Justin to Kelly Nadine[46]
2015 Single in South Beach Herself

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002–2003 Ocean Ave. Jody Starr / Abby Main role; 159 episodes
2008 Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious Herself 8 episodes
2012 America's Next Top Model Guest Judge Episode: "Jessica Sutta"[47]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist
1998 "Miami" Will Smith
"Don't Let This Moment End" Gloria Estefan
2003 "Suga Suga" Baby Bash
"Spanish" Craig David
2004 "Don't Cry for Pain" Ana Johnsson

Awards and nominations

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Ceremony Year Award Work Result Ref.
Grammy Awards Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Stickwitu" Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "The Pussycat Dolls" (PDF). William Morris Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "J Sutta". AllMusic. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  3. ^ a b James, Mickie; Sutta, Jessica. "The Divas Meet the Dolls: Mickie James & Jessica". WWE. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  4. ^ Widner, Joanna (September 16, 2016). "Ya gotta love J Sutta … don't cha?". Dallas Voice. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  5. ^ "HEAT Dancers go for Four In a Row in NBA Dance Team Bracket". Nba.com. March 26, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Baca, Ricardo (May 17, 2006). "Pussycat Dolls move from dance troupe to pop phenomenon". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Macias, Chris (May 17, 2006). "What's new, Pussycats?". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  8. ^ ""Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll," says Robin Antin" (PDF). William Morris Endeavor. Interscope Records. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  9. ^ Potton, Ed (February 6, 2020). "What's new, Pussycats? Break‑ups, boys and bravado". The Times. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  10. ^ Roberts, Carly (February 3, 2020). "Pussycat Dolls announced as first Northampton headliners this summer". Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Paula Abdul's 'Live to Dance' Show Gets Host and Judges". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  12. ^ Raftery, Brian (January 29, 2010). "Former Pussycat Doll: how I lost it all". Life & Style. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  13. ^ "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta Goes Solo, Sings 'I Wanna Be Bad'". Radaronline.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  14. ^ "BensBrother News..February 2011.. Goo Goo Dolls, Pussycat Dolls, Baby Dolls and Pin-up Girls..." Bens Brother. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  15. ^ "Ultra Music Fest Miami". MTV. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  16. ^ "Jessica Sutta – Show Me-Premiere". Idelator. Retrieved August 6, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Jessica Sutta – Show Me-Video Premiere ABC Family". ABC Family. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  18. ^ "Former Pussycat Doll, Jessica Sutta, Signs With Hollywood Records". Disney Info Net. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  19. ^ "'Show Me' the No. 1: Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta Tops Dance Chart". Billboard. September 14, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  20. ^ "Jessica Sutta – Sexy Siren". Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  21. ^ "Jessica Sutta eyes May release for 'Sutta Pop'". Theprophetblog.net. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  22. ^ "The Morning Show : Jessica Sutta's solo success". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  23. ^ "Jessica Sutta at Market Days on August 11, 2012". Chicago.gopride.com. August 11, 2012. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  24. ^ "Pussycat to Tiger: Jessica Sutta Escapes Her Cage". pophatesflops. 15 May 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Jessica Sutta Show! on USTREAM 6.10.2012 – PART1". YouTube. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved October 11, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ^ "iTunes – Music – Again (feat. Kemal Golden) [Radio Edit] – Single by Jessica Sutta". Itunes.apple.com. March 26, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  27. ^ Luis Gonzalez (August 20, 2013). "Listen to "Lights Out" by Jessica Sutta ‹ EQ Music Blog". Eqmusicblog.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  28. ^ "Jessica Sutta Debuts Sweet and Spicy 'Candy' Music Video". Yahoo. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  29. ^ "J Sutta Offers Her Spurned Lover a Sensual Olive Branch on 'Feel Like Making Love': Premiere". Popcrush. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  30. ^ "J. Sutta Talks New Album 'Feline Resurrection'". clichemag. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  31. ^ "I Say Yes". iTunes. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  32. ^ KOERNER, ALLYSON (March 21, 2016). "Former Pussycat Doll J Sutta Can't Wait For PCD Fans To Check Out Her New Solo Sound". Bustle.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  33. ^ Mccreesh, Louise (November 28, 2019). "Pussycat Dolls officially announce reunion tour 9 years after split". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  34. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (November 28, 2019). "The Pussycat Dolls Reunite for First Time in a Decade on U.K.'s 'X Factor': Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  35. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (February 19, 2020). "Justin Bieber, 5 Seconds Of Summer And The Pussycat Dolls: 5 Major Moves On This Week's U.K. Singles Chart". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  36. ^ Griffin, Louise (November 3, 2021). "Kimberly Wyatt pleads with Nicole Scherzinger and Pussycat Dolls founder to 'end the drama' amid lawsuit". Metro. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Bueno, Antoinette (June 1, 2021). "Pussycat Dolls Singer Jessica Sutta Gives Birth to Baby Boy (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  38. ^ "Joe Slaughter and Jessica Sutta". famousfix. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "Sunrise reporter James Tobin in romance with ex Pussycat Dolls' singer Jessica Sutta". news.com.au. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  40. ^ a b Hautman, Nicholas (September 14, 2019). "The Pussycat Dolls' Jessica Sutta Marries Mikey Marquart in Malibu". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  41. ^ Bowman, Wendy (December 2, 2019). "The Pussycat Dolls' Jessica Sutta Pounces on Secluded Monte Nido Horse Ranch". Dirt.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  42. ^ Atad, Corey (November 28, 2019). "Pussycat Dolls Reunite After Nearly A Decade Following Battles With Bulimia, Addiction & More". ET Canada. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  43. ^ Fonsesca, Selma (March 14, 2017). "Pussycat Doll J Sutta Finds Closure On New Album, and More Inside Scoop". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  44. ^ "FHM Hot 100 2011 Girls". Toronto Pics. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  45. ^ "Bully (2001) Details and Credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  46. ^ "From Justin To Kelly (Special Edition) [VHS]". Amazon. 26 August 2003. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  47. ^ Eby, Margaret (April 12, 2012). "America's Next Top Model: "Jessica Sutta And Nadine Coyle"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  48. ^ "Jessica Suttta". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
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