ITN reporter Darren Burn quizzed the 35-year-old from Honolulu at the Pride of Britain awards about the 16-year-old who was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban - where she was also receiving the teenager of courage award.
But Nicole could not answer the question when she was asked what she thought of her courageous story, and replied: 'I don't know the story that well, but is she still...?'
Awkward: Nicole Scherzinger lost for words when
asked a question on red carpet in awkward video posted on YouTube by ITN
reporter
However the interview started well with, with Nicole praising all the people who were attending the event on Monday night.
Nicole said: 'It's the regular ordinary people who are the real heroes.
'And tonight we get to finally recognise them, the real courageous ones who've gone through so much adversity - they're just real survivors and they inspire all of us.'
Lost for words: Nicole tilts her head to one side as she thinks about how to answer her question
It did however take a quick turn for the worse when Malala was mentioned, as she has not been out of the news recently, having spoken at the UN whilst inspiring schoolgirls across the globe.
After the reporter briefly explained Malala's story, Nicole replied: 'Amazing, she's a righteous, empowering, powerful woman and God bless her.'
Quickly moving on from the awkward moment, which left the X Factor judge seemingly bemused, the reporter went on to say how she must be as excited to meet all the courageous as they are to meet her.
She said: 'Yeah, I'm very humbled when I come, last year was my first year here and I was extremely humbled and I was like who am I, these people have gone through so much, such amazing stories they're so beautiful, I want to hug everybody.'
The interviewed was finished off with a light-hearted question about X Factor, possibly to detract from the excruciating talk.
When asked if she is hoping to win X Factor, Nicole said: 'The talent is unbelievable this year so I am going to do the best that I can with my girls and I want them to shine bright, but I think there is a lot of talent in the other categories as well.'
Doing her best: Nicole Scherzinger does her best to answer Darren Burn's questions in the most eloquently way possible
