UK-based singer Natalie Imbruglia talks all things Taylor Swift, misconceptions about her and watching Prince William listen to her chart-topping song “Torn.”
Soundtrack to your life right now?
Folklore by Taylor Swift. I’m late to the party, but I’ve finally arrived. I watched the documentary [Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions] on the making of the album with my niece while I was home in Australia, which was a real bonding experience. I love Midnights as well and I’m lucky enough to be going to the last night of the Eras tour in the UK.
Childhood hero?
I wasn’t the poster-on-the-wall type of person, but I would say Karen Carpenter was the first singer I fell in love with, as well as Whitney Houston. Elvis was my first crush, followed closely by Jerry Lewis.
Ultimate indulgence?
Eating pasta on the couch binge watching Line of Duty.
Historical concert you wish you could have attended?
Live Aid because of the Queen set. When you see footage, you almost can’t actually imagine that happening in real time.
Biggest misconception about you?
People always tell me they didn’t expect me to be funny. I think I’m accidentally funny sometimes.
I guess I haven’t let that side of myself show as much, especially earlier in my career. You care a lot less as you get older, which is very freeing. People also expect me to be taller. I’ve found that happens a lot to people in the public eye.
Person you are commonly mistaken for?
Myself. I’ll get people come up to me and say, “You look a lot like Natalie Imbruglia” and I reply, “Yes, and I’m her. I’m just older and harder to recognise.”
Where and when are you most happy?
On stage singing. That said, before shows is a whole other story. I get really bad anxiety before I go on stage. But once I’m on stage, everything just lifts. It’s a real happy place for me.
Most challenging thing to unlearn in life?
Not care what people think of me – I’m still trying to learn that one. I think life and wisdom and age is the best cure for that. There have been so many stages of my life that were riddled with that, and obviously it’s an occupational hazard because in my line of work you’re under a microscope.
It’s so joyous that it just falls away as you get older. The other thing that I’ve had to unlearn is deconstructing the fantasy of love. That kind of fantasy thing that you grow up believing. I don’t think that’s accurate. I would say Pat Benatar’s version is probably more accurate: “Love is a Battlefield.”
Song that always gets you on the dance floor?
“Good Times” by Chic. My favourite for a “come back to mine for the after- party” situation is the band Tom Tom Club.
Whenever I put that on I’ve never had anyone say can we change the music.
Most badass moment?
I sang with Andrea Bocelli a couple of years ago. It was pretty badass. But more recently, my song “Torn” played on the final season of The Crown.
It’s playing on the car radio and Prince Charles comments, “Oh, I like this song” and William turns his nose up at it, but he secretly loves it. He’s just mad at his dad.
Best gift you’ve ever received?
A calendar that has picture of goats in trees. Maybe I should make a calendar of me holding sloths. I think that would sell.
First job?
Working in my dad’s chicken shop on the Central Coast inside a shopping mall. All the hot surfer dudes would come in and I’d serve them potato chips. I remember squeezing lemon
into my perm.
Woman in your life who has shaped you the most?
My personal trainer. She’s still working on my shape … No, in all seriousness, my mum, Maxine, for her strength and resilience and for never giving up.
A podcast to help with night-time rest, “Sleep Sound with Natalie Imbruglia” is available now on audible.com.au.
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