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Carmit Bachar

Carmit Bachar
Bachar at the premiere of 27 Dresses, 2008.
Born
Carmit Maile Bachar

(1974-09-04) September 4, 1974 (age 50)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • choreographer
  • singer
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Kevin Whitaker
​
(m. 2008)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
LabelsAccess
Formerly ofThe Pussycat Dolls
LadyStation
WebsiteOfficial website

Carmit Maile Bachar (Hebrew: כרמית בכר; born September 4, 1974) is an American dancer, choreographer and singer. She is a former member of the pop groups the Pussycat Dolls (2003–2008) and LadyStation (2011–2016).[1] As a dancer, she has been on tour with Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin and No Doubt and in music videos for various artists, such as Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, the Black Eyed Peas, the Offspring, Aaliyah and Beyoncé.[2]

Early life

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Bachar was born in Los Angeles, her father is of Jewish Israeli descent and her mother is of Dutch, Indonesian, and Chinese descent.[3][failed verification] She was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate.[4] She was raised in Encino, California. Both parents were dancers; her mother worked as a dance teacher at Bancroft Middle School of Performing Arts and her father worked with Elvis Presley and Marcel Marceau. Bachar competed internationally as a rhythmic gymnast for 10 years, and placed 5th in the U.S. Olympic trials in 1992. During her career competing on the U.S. National Team, she attended Hamilton Academy of Music in Los Angeles, studying music, dance, piano and viola. But throughout the years of talent, she endured the years of cleft surgery and was also the victim of bullying.[5]

Career

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1993–2008: Career beginnings and the Pussycat Dolls

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Main article: The Pussycat Dolls
Bachar performing live in 2006.

In 1993 Bachar began a successful career as dancer, appearing in television commercials and movie dance scenes, such as And the Band Played On (1993), North (1994) and Good Burger (1997). In 1995 choreographer Robin Antin asked Bachar to join her new project, the Pussycat Dolls, a burlesque dance troupe, with a repertoire of 1950s and 1960s popular music and dressed in pin-up costumes.[6] In the following years, they performed live weekly at The Roxy Theatre, in West Hollywood, and were featured in magazines, specials for MTV and ad campaigns.[7] During that time, she also participated on tours for Ricky Martin, No Doubt and Beyoncé, and danced in various music videos, such as Michael Jackson's "Blood on the Dance Floor", Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't It Funny", the Black Eyed Peas's "Shut Up", Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" and Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".

As the Pussycat Dolls grew in popularity, music producers Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair became involved in 2003 to transform the dance troupe into a musical group.[8] After some reformulations and tests with singers and dancers, the musical group was formed by Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta and Bachar – the only troupe member remained in the final lineup.[9] The group achieved worldwide success with the singles "Don't Cha", "Buttons" and Grammy Award–nominee "Stickwitu", and their multi-platinum debut album PCD (2005).[10][11] 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, causing Bachar's departure from the group in March 2008.[12][13]

2008–2018: LadyStation and solo releases

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In 2008, Bachar said that she was recording her debut solo album.[14] On her MySpace, she uploaded two solo songs: "Overrated" and "Carmasutra".[15] In 2009, Bachar announced that her album would be called Formerly Of... and would be released that year.[16] The album was being produced by Grammy Awards–winner Jared Lee Gosselin and would feature songs like “Cupid”, “Love Is a Weapon”, “Me” and “Cream”.[17] Despite this, Bachar failed to sign a record deal and the album was cancelled.[18][19] Two unreleased songs, "Fierce" and "Cream", were reused on rapper Detroit Diamond's 2010 EP, with Bachar featured on three songs.[20] In 2011 Bachar formed the electropop duo LadyStation, along with DJ Sammy J (Samantha Powell), and they released their debut single, "Body in Motion".[21]

In the following years, they released other singles, such as "Loud", "Motivation" and "Nurse U Back to Life", and performed live at electronic music festivals and nightclubs.[22][23] LadyStation's last release before disbanding in 2016 was the EP Voices on June 1, 2015.[24] On February 24, 2017, Bachar release her debut solo single, "It's Time", as an independent artist.[25][26] On April 18, 2018 she released her second single "How Far".[27]

2019–present: The Pussycat Dolls reunion and other projects

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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.[28][29][30] 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.[31]

On May 27, 2021 she released her third single, "Questions".[32]

Personal life

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Bachar married Kevin Whitaker in 2008 and they have a daughter, Keala Rose (2011).[33]

Philanthropy

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It has been reported that she wishes to form a non-profit organization called "Smile With Me": "I want to have my own charity for children and adults who are born with a cleft palate. I was born with one and I want to educate and inspire people by saying that inner beauty is more important than looks."[34][35] Bachar is an ambassador of "Operation Smile", a worldwide children's medical charity that helps improve the health and lives of children and young adults born with facial deformities.[36] In November 2007, she participated in an Operation Smile international medical mission in Bolivia, where she and her team organized creative stations for the kids like face and body painting, bookmaking, music and dance.[37]

Discography

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With the Pussycat Dolls

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Main article: The Pussycat Dolls discography

With LadyStation

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EPs

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List of albums
Title Album details
Voices[38]

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Body in Motion"[39] 2011 non-album singles
"Loud"[40] 2012
"Motivation"[41]
(with Paul Thomas)
"A Taste of"[42] 2013
"Nurse U Back to Life" 2015 Voices

As solo artist

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Singles

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Title Year Album
"It's Time"[43] 2017 non-album singles
"How Far"[44] 2018
"Questions"[45] 2021

Other appearances

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Title Year Other artists Album
"Marcia Baila"
(backing vocals) 		1998 Ricky Martin Vuelve[46]
"Lo-Down" 2008 Storm Lee Soulfillapopkilla[47]
"Keep on Smiling" 2010 — We Are Golden[48]
"Something 'Bout You" Detroit Diamond Limited Edition[49]
"Cream"
"Fierce"

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1993 And the Band Played On Dancer
1994 North
1997 Good Burger
1998 Living Out Loud
2002 The Hot Chick
2003 Charlie's Angels 2
2004 Along Came Polly
13 Going on 30
2017 Cherry Pop Kelly Smith

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Red Shoe Diaries Dancer Episode: "The Forbidden Zone"
2001 Nikki Episode: "Milli Vanikki"

Music videos

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Year Song Artist
1997 "Blood on the Dancefloor" Michael Jackson
1998 "Too Close" Next
"One Week" Barenaked Ladies
1999 "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" The Offspring
"Why Don't You Get a Job?"
"Take Me There" Blackstreet and Mýa
"You Need a Man" Shanice
"Every Morning" Sugar Ray
"All n My Grill" Missy Elliott
2000 "You're an Ocean" Fastball
"Bathwater" No Doubt
2001 "Perfect Gentleman" Wyclef Jean
"Ain't It Funny" Jennifer Lopez
"Rock the Boat" Aaliyah
"Sexual Revolution" Macy Gray
2002 "Hey Baby" No Doubt
2003 "Crazy In Love" Beyoncé
"Baby Boy"
"Shut Up" The Black Eyed Peas
2006 "Friend" Scarlett
2009 "Snap, Crackle, Pop" Chonique Sneed
2010 "Nancy Lee" Vintage Trouble

Concert tours

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Tours where Bachar was a dancer:

Other events

Awards and nominations

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See also: List of awards and nominations received by the Pussycat Dolls
Ceremony Year Award Work Result Ref.
Grammy Awards
2007
 Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Stickwitu" Nominated
[51]

References

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  1. ^ "HeartFM Pussycat Dolls reunion confirmed". November 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "'React' New Single". 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Celebs". AskMen. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. ^ Celebrity Ambassador Carmit Bachar. OperationSmile.org. Archived December 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Smith, Julia Llewellyn (28 April 2013). "Pussycat Dolls: 'I was angry about my deformity and felt anything but sexy'".
  6. ^ "Carla Kama Biography". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  7. ^ "Playboy Magazine June 1999 vol.46, no.6". Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  8. ^ Stack, Tim (December 14, 2007). "The Pussycat With Nine Lives". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  9. ^ ""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.
  10. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – 2006 Year End Charts: 1 – 20". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2006. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  11. ^ "The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Dear Fans". Pussycat Dolls. 2008-03-08. Archived from the original on 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  14. ^ "Pussycats, where have you been?". BBC. 29 July 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "Happy Holi-dayz!! Von CARMIT / TWITTER @IAMCARMIT bei Myspace". Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Kee Magazine interview". Carmitbachar.net. 2010-03-28. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  17. ^ "Ouça "Cream", primeiro single da ex-Pussycat Doll, Carmit Bachar". Popline. 25 March 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Carmit [@therealCarmit] (11 May 2009). "really excited about this new music....working with some hot mofos! Whitey & Jared are the s#$% & luv sum Dinezee! xo u Mika mamcita!!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Sanctum L.A. Recording Studio - Profile on Los Angeles Recording Studio Sanctum L.A." 9 March 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  20. ^ "Detroit Diamond Feat. Carmit Limited Edition EP". Amazon. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  21. ^ "Vzpomínáte na zrzavou kočku z Pussycat Dolls? Sexy je i ve dvaačtyřiceti". super.cz. 6 September 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  22. ^ "Where is The Pussycat Dolls' Carmit Bachar now and what has she been doing since the band split?". heart.co.uk. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  23. ^ "Carmit Bachar supporting the LA Chocolate Festival and Pastry Show". indulgela. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  24. ^ "LadyStation – Voices". iTunes. June 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "Pussycat Doll Carmit Bachar slays with It's Time music video". Monstersandcritics. 23 April 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  26. ^ "Carmit Bachar on Pussycat Dolls Reunion Tour & Solo Self-Expression". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  27. ^ "Carmit Bachar opens up about reunion and coronavirus fears". Dailystar. 29 April 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ "Carmit Bachar releases sultry music video for Chris Brown cover, Questions". Monstersandcritics. 29 May 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  33. ^ Carmit [@therealCarmit] (19 September 2011). "The journey was long but our precious baby girl has arrived. My fiance Kevin Whitaker & I would love to introduce 'Keala Rose' born 9/18/11" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Beverley Lyons, October 16, 2006. Carmite Doing Her Bit For Charity Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. The Daily Record
  35. ^ "Carmit Bachar, smile ambassador". Archived from the original on 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  36. ^ October 12, 2007. Operation Smile Announces New Smile Ambassadors Archived 2007-10-24 at the Wayback Machine. Trans World News
  37. ^ November 9, 2007. Operation Smile Ambassador Carmit Bachar Visits Bolivia Archived 2007-11-25 at the Wayback Machine. World Journey of Smiles
  38. ^ "Voices". Spotify. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "Body In Motion". Spotify. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  40. ^ "Loud". Spotify. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  41. ^ "Motivation". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  42. ^ "A Taste of LadyStation". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  43. ^ "It's Time". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "How Far". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  45. ^ "Questions". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  46. ^ "Open Artist Mixtape". openartistmovement.bandcamp.com. 1998. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  47. ^ "Soulfillapopkilla". Spotify. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  48. ^ "Open Artist Mixtape". openartistmovement.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  49. ^ "Limited Edition". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  50. ^ Clifton, Penelope (June 16, 2023). "Don't cha ever wonder what happened to The Pussycat Dolls?". Mamamia. Retrieved December 22, 2023. She even danced alongside Janet Jackson during that infamous Superbowl Halftime Show.
  51. ^ "Carmit Bachar - Artist". The Recording Academy. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
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