How To Fail With Elizabeth Day ON REJECTION… With Mel B and Nicole Scherzinger
Nov 24, 2025
Mel B, a former Spice Girl, shares her journey from failing an audition for The Sound of Music to finding resilience through her mixed heritage and tough audition experiences. Nicole Scherzinger, former lead of the Pussycat Dolls, recounts years of rejection and perseverance, tracing her path from local bands to unexpected breakthroughs. Both women highlight the universal nature of rejection and how embracing setbacks shaped their careers. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that strength and determination can redefine our paths to success.
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Auditioning As A Mixed-Race Child
- Mel B auditioned for The Sound of Music despite knowing she didn't fit the expected look.
- She was crushed by the rejection but kept auditioning until opportunities came.
Work Ethic Rooted In Family Routine
- Mel B links relentless routine and never missing work to her father's immigrant work ethic.
- That upbringing taught self-reliance and shaped her drive to persist in auditions and performance.
Use Rejection To Build Rhino Skin
- Treat rejection as training to build resilience rather than proof of failure.
- Go to the next audition instead of changing yourself to fit someone else's standard.