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'I want to encourage everybody to keep your babies': Nicole Scherzinger almost turned down the role of Penny in Dirty Dancing remake because of abortion storyline

By Kate Thomas for MailOnline and Tammy Hughes For The Daily Mail

Published: 17:39 EST, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 18:06 EST, 13 December 2016

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She's playing the role of Penny Johnson in ABC's forthcoming TV remake of Dirty Dancing.

But Nicole Scherzinger has revealed she almost turned down the part, played by Cynthia Rhodes in the classic 1987 film, because she harbours strong anti-abortion beliefs.

The X Factor judge admitted that her family is 'really hardcore' against termination because her mother had her at the tender age of 18.

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Tough decision: Nicole Scherzinger has revealed she almost turned down the part of Penny Johnson in ABC's forthcoming TV remake of Dirty Dancing because she harbours strong anti-abortion beliefs

Nicole, 38, explained to The Daily Mail: 'I was like a crazy thing because, my family, my Papa’s a Bishop and my family’s really hardcore against abortion.

�?So I got the role and I almost didn’t take it because I didn’t want to promote abortion, because my character has an abortion.

�?But I was like, hopefully they can learn from you know her ways and I can be a positive influence.

�?My mum got pregnant with me when she was 17 and had me when she was 18. She chose.

�?Her parents were never going to let her have an abortion. So I came out, so I just want to you know encourage everybody to keep your babies.’

Hard-hitting storyline: Penny, played by Cynthia Rhodes in the classic 1987 film, falls pregnant in the original film and opts for an illegal abortion

Penny falls pregnant in the original film and opts for an illegal abortion, forcing Baby to step in and dance with Johnny Castle, who was originally played by Patrick Swayze.

The character's life hangs in the balance due to the dangerous procedure, with leading lady Baby's doctor father forced to step in and save her.

Nicole, who was raised Catholic, was born in Hawaii, but her mother Rosemary Elikolani split from her father Alfonso Valiente when she was very young.

The star said that her family were initially against her taking the part until her grandfather, who is a preacher, prayed on the subject and decided it was 'what she was meant to do'.

She said: 'We decided that maybe I could be a voice, that I could shed some light on the subject without being preachy.'

Nicole said she was 'so excited' to join the cast of the 1987 adaptation, which already features Abigail Breslin and Debra Messing.

Family values: Nicole, who was raised Catholic, was born in Hawaii, but her mother Rosemary Elikolani split from her father Alfonso Valiente when she was very young. She is pictured with her mother and stepfather Gary Scherzinger

Nobody puts Baby in the corner! The remake was announced back in December 2015, naming Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail in the lead role of Baby Houseman

Nicole told her Twitter followers when the news was announced earlier this year: 'So excited to join the cast of @ABCNetwork #DirtyDancing remake! Can't wait for you all to see it!'

Nicole, who went solo from the girlband in 2010, turned her hand to acting in 2014 when she took part in London's West End revival of Cats: The Musical.

The singer has also had cameo roles in How I Met Your Mother and Men in Black 3 but this will the first time she adopts a lead movie role.

The US network announced the remake back in December 2015, naming Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail in the lead role of Baby Houseman.

Will & Grace actress Debra has been placed in the role of Marjorie Houseman, Baby's mother, and Colt Prattes playing Johnny.

The three-hour adaptation is thought to follow the same storyline, though its air date has yet to be revealed.

A second film was made about the romantic flick favourite was made in 2003, Dirty Dancing 2, but flopped at the Box Office.

Acting experience: Nicole, who went solo from the girlband in 2010, turned her hand to acting in 2014 when she took part in London's West End revival of Cats: The Musical