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October 1, 2025

Who Is Rosemary Elikolani? The Untold Story of Nicole Scherzinger’s mother

by
Rosemary Elikolani

When people talk about Nicole Scherzinger, they often celebrate her powerful voice, her stage presence, and her success. But behind that success is a strong woman who faced many challenges: Rosemary Elikolani. She is not just a “mother of a star.” She is a figure with her own story of resilience, heritage, and influence.

Quick Bio: Rosemary Elikolani

DetailInformation
NameRosemary Elikolani Frederick (often known as Rosemary Elikolani)
Ethnic BackgroundNative Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and possibly Polish ancestry
RoleMother of Nicole Scherzinger
Marital HistoryMarried to Alfonso Valiente (Nicole’s birth father) and later married Gary Scherzinger (who adopted Nicole)
ChildrenNicole Scherzinger and younger sister, Keala
Notable InformationRaised Nicole largely on her own after separation and supported her through challenging times

Early Life and Heritage

Rosemary Elikolani came from a mixed heritage. She had Native Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and possibly Polish roots. She is sometimes said to have been a hula dancer or been connected with Hawaiian cultural arts.

Some sources mention that when Rosemary was young, she might have had difficult circumstances. She was about 17 or 18 years old when Nicole was born.

However, public records about her early life are limited. She is more known through her daughter’s life and accounts from interviews with Nicole.

Family Life and Struggles

Marriage and Separation

Rosemary first married Alfonso Valiente, the father of Nicole. Alfonso was of Filipino descent. However, the marriage did not last long. Alfonso left when Nicole was very young, around age two.

After that, Rosemary married Gary Scherzinger, a German-American man. He later adopted Nicole, and she took his surname.

These early years were not easy. With her husband gone, Rosemary had to raise Nicole largely on her own. She often lacked financial resources and had to make hard decisions to care for her children.

Moving to Kentucky

When Nicole was about six years old, their family relocated to Louisville, Kentucky. The reason for the move was connected with Gary Scherzinger’s life and opportunities in the U.S.

In Louisville, Rosemary worked to support her children. They did not grow up with luxury. Nicole has shared that at times they wore second-hand clothes or lacked basic things. Despite this, Rosemary tried to provide love, support, and stability.

Influence on Nicole Scherzinger

Rosemary’s role was more than just providing food and shelter. She shaped Nicole’s values, work ethic, and identity.

Support through Hard Times

Nicole often mentions that she grew up with “not much money.” But Rosemary encouraged her daughter to follow her passion for performance. As Nicole tried out for local theater, school plays, and later music, Rosemary was there.

Having a mother who believed in her helped Nicole push through rejection and setbacks.

Preserving Cultural Roots

Because Rosemary was of Hawaiian and Eastern European heritage, those cultural elements were part of Nicole’s identity. Nicole has spoken about embracing her diverse background, something likely influenced by her mother’s pride in her roots.

Some of Nicole’s musical choices also reflect that heritage. For example, she released a song called Puakenikeni, named after a Hawaiian flower.

Later Life and Health

Rosemary has maintained a lower public profile than her famous daughter. Still, she has appeared in news from time to time, especially when Nicole or Nicole’s sister, Keala, share updates.

In one instance, Keala posted that Rosemary had undergone surgery and requested prayers for her heart. This shows that as of recent years, she has faced health challenges.

Despite not being in the limelight, Rosemary’s life continues to matter to her family and fans who admire Nicole.

Legacy and Lessons

Though Rosemary may not be a public figure in her own right, her legacy lives on through Nicole and her life story. Here are a few lessons we can draw from her journey:

  • Strength in hardship: She weathered separation and financial struggle yet remained committed to raising her children.
  • Support matters: Her belief in Nicole gave the singer confidence to chase her dreams.
  • Cultural pride: By embracing her own heritage, she passed that sense of identity to her children.
  • Humility and respect: She did not seek fame or recognition, even though she played a critical role in shaping a star.

Conclusion

Rosemary Elikolani’s story is not just about being the mother of a famous singer. It is about strength, sacrifice, and love. She faced separation, hardship, and financial struggles, yet she never gave up on raising her children with care. Her resilience and encouragement gave Nicole Scherzinger the foundation she needed to become a world-renowned artist.

Even though Rosemary chose a private life away from the spotlight, her influence continues to shine through her daughter’s achievements. She is a reminder that behind every success story, there is often a parent who worked quietly, gave support, and believed when it mattered most. Rosemary’s life teaches us about the power of family, cultural pride, and unconditional love.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is Rosemary Elikolani?
    She is the mother of singer Nicole Scherzinger, with a mixed heritage of Native Hawaiian and Eastern European descent.
  2. What is Rosemary’s background?
    She has Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and possibly Polish roots. She was reportedly a hula dancer in her younger years.
  3. Who are Rosemary’s husbands?
    Her first husband was Alfonso Valiente (Nicole’s biological father). Later she married Gary Scherzinger, who adopted Nicole.
  4. When did the family move to the U.S. mainland?
    Around the time Nicole was six years old, they moved to Louisville, Kentucky.
  5. How did Rosemary support Nicole’s dreams?
    She encouraged Nicole’s interest in performance and stood by her during struggles and setbacks.
  6. Is Rosemary still alive?
    Yes, as of the latest reports she is alive. She has faced health issues recently.
  7. Does Rosemary have other children?
    Yes, Nicole has a younger sister named Keala.
  8. What challenges did Rosemary face?
    She raised her children largely alone after separation, dealt with financial hardship, and lacked many resources.
  9. Did Rosemary ever seek fame or public attention?
    No. She has kept a private life, even though her daughter is in the public eye.
  10. What is Rosemary’s lasting impact?
    Her love, resilience, and encouragement played a big part in making Nicole who she is today. Her story is a reminder that a strong foundation can help someone rise in spite of hardship.

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