Nicole Scherzinger interview: 'X Factor is my proudest moment'

After becoming our favourite judge on last year's X Factor, it seems the UK has officially accepted Nicole Scherzinger as one of our own.

After taking a short break from music to fulfil her duties on the show, she's returned with 'Boomerang', the follow-up to last year's platinum-selling Killer Love.

Digital Spy met up with the star to talk about her new track, new LP and whether she plans to return to X Factor later this year.

Hi Nicole! Your new single 'Boomerang' is amazing. Are you glad to be releasing new music?"I am! I'm enjoying getting the music back out there. I'm finally getting it on its feet. It's my favourite way to connect with fans. I love this track as I can really relate to the lyrics because I don't always feel on top of the world and invincible and fierce and fearless. I have my doubts and days where I wonder if I should just throw in the towel. This song uplifts me and gives me strength to move forward and not give up."

If the song was an animal, what animal would it be?"I love animalising things! If I was an animal I'd be a bish."

A what?"A bish - a cross between a bird and a fish. If 'Boomerang' was an animal... I was going to say a monkey as they jump around a lot. Maybe a cross between a little monkey that bounces back and turns into a silverback gorilla."

The internet tells us that will.i.am produced this song; is that correct?"Will's produced a lot of music I've been doing, but this track is by Sandy Vee. I've also worked with Toby Gad, Dallas Austin... I was messing around in the studio the other day with Afrojack."

His music is a bit nuts."Well he met his match with me!"

So how! is the album shaping up?"A lot of the stuff that we've recorded so far is dance. Compared to Killer Love this one is sounding a lot more energetic, uplifting, fun. I'm still working on it though - finding those missing pieces and those honest tracks for the fans."

What's the best song you've recorded for the album so far?"I've done this track with Dallas Austin that I think is really strong, it's really in-your-face. It takes no prisoners. But I'm also really proud of the stuff I've written with Toby Gad. I really let down my guard and showed my true colours on my songs. My favourite songs are the ones that really come from the heart."

You collaborated with 50 Cent and Sting on your last record. Who would you like to work with on this one?"Obviously there are loads. I can't name anyone right now as we haven't finalised the tracklisting or anything, but I want to keep to focus on me as I'm still new as a solo artist. I'd love to work with Sia - I've always been a fan and I love the way she hears music. I'd like to do something completely off the wall with Mumford & Sons - that would be amazing. Emeli Sand would be great as well, she's just so transparent."

Digital Spy readers recently voted you the judge they'd most like to see back on the X Factor panel. Will you be returning to the show this year?"Someone recently asked me what my proudest moment was in the last year and I honestly had to say it was X Factor. It was great to discover new talent and the whole experience really exceeded my expectations, which was great because I really put 110% into it. I'm excited for people to hear the music now as I had to put it on the backburner for the show. I don't even know if the judges want me back!"

Ar! e you kee! ping in touch with James Arthur?"Of course! We don't speak every day but they seem to be trucking along really well. I'm happy for all my boys. I heard James broke a record with his single 'Impossible' which is incredible. I told James not to get distracted by all this fame stuff and get in the studio and write. I believe in him as a singer and an amazing writer. We've always talked about working together at some point, it's just finding the time to together and create something really dope."

Nicole Scherzinger's new single 'Boomerang' is out now. Watch the official music video below: