United Kingdom, May 9 -- Nicole Scherzinger has "come a long way" from her "very humble beginnings" in life.

The 46-year-old star has been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in 'Sunset Boulevard', and Nicole felt "really grateful and happy" when she received the news.

Nicole - who is among the nominees for the Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical gong - told 'Extra': "I couldn't be happier because this is what I've always dreamed of since I was a little girl, you know, to perform and to do theatre and musical theatre ever since I saw 'Miss Saigon', and this is over 30 years in the making.

"One of my best friends from my youth performing arts school in Louisville, Kentucky, Sarah Gettlefinger, reminded me, she'...