(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

For Nicole Scherzinger and most beautiful pop stars, wearing clothes in your twenties is totally optional. But the 33-year-old former Pussycat Doll, who has grown into an international sensation, now opts for style over skin. “My style has evolved into being a little bit more grown up,” she told People.

The current X-Factor judge crafts looks that make a statement, and they don’t always have to read sexy. “If I wear a lace dress, I throw on a leather jacket to toughen things up, or some crazy boots,” she says. “I like dresses that are sassy but have clean lines.”

Before sliding into her judge’s chair, she routinely does a style check-in with fellow judge Paula Abdul to ensure they don’t clash. “As far as Paula and I, we will find out what color each other’s dresses are that day and try to wear things that will complement each other,” Nicole reveals. Stylist Wyman Chang says that the dark-haired raven is “mixing it up with cute dresses, sequin jackets and tons of jewelry.”

Nicole makes sure that her role on the Simon Cowell-produced show doesn’t outshine her individuality. "I want to wear dresses that make me feel like a woman, but I add a rock edge to it as well,” she explains. “That’s my style and I’m an artist before I am a judge.”