The gorgeously fabulous Natalie Imbruglia talks
to us about married life, acting, and really being worth it as a L'Oreal model (quite
apart from it helping her break into America).
But busy Natalie, who's madly touring and
publicising her new album in her native Australia and the US, says she's still
happiest at home in Windsor.
Q: It's been three years since you released your last album; where have you been?
A: Off the back of my second album, White Lilies Island, I went straight into making the film. The moment I finished with Johnny English, I started writing. Unfortunately, it was a very lengthy process. I've definitely enjoyed it more this time; there's not so much pressure. The second album was a bit weird, especially off the back of a really successful first album. And obviously getting married means you're a lot more content and at peace with yourself. Everything is more fun.
Q: Your husband, Daniel Johns, is the frontman for Australian rock band Silverchair. Lately, he's also made the transition from rock to pop to work with you on your new album..
A: He wrote a song called Satisfied and he produced Counting Down The Days. It wasn't something we planned; there weren't big discussions. It was mid-way through the record and he was like, "Oh, I'll write a song for you," and it was this amazing song. I was just like, "How did you do that so quickly?!" Luckily for me, he just was up for doing it.
Q: Were you his inspiration?
A: He just thought it'd be a fun thing to try. It's different to what he does musically, and he's a very, very good producer.
Q: You weren't nervous about how you'd let him down if you didn't like what he came up with?
A: I like everything he does! He's pretty
incredible. He's never written a song I don't like. I think his worst song is
still amazing!
Q: Did you have to pay him to write for you?
A: I actually made sure he got paid. He didn't care and I was like, "No, we've got to do this right."
Q: Do you write any music yourself?
A: It's hard to explain - I consider myself a director. You're in the room for the 'birth' of the song. It's constantly about your taste, what you're drawn to. You decide if something is too cheesy and you're doing the melodies. I don't play an instrument so I'm not a musician, but I'm very hands-on.
Q: So you act, have a modelling contract with L'Oreal and, of course, are a singer. What is most important to you?
A: Music is my priority at the moment. I secretly have a passion to do film and have crammed a few auditions in amongst the song-writing over the last three years, but it's very hard. It takes a lot of auditions and a lot of classes to hone your skills to the same level as song-writing.
Q: Do the L'Oreal ads help your profile?
A: It's really good for my profile, especially in the States. My first record did really well there, the second one not so well. It's very easy for people in America to forget who you are. L'Oreal's been great and I'm really grateful for it. It's a good gig really.
Q: They're stunning ads. When you
see them, do you think, "I'm looking good!"
A: It makes me giggle - it's so other-worldly.
The difference is, when I go to do a L'Oreal commercial, it's not my product -
there are a lot of other people responsible for decisions. There's a lot of
freedom in that. When you're an artist, you become very protective of yourself
and how you're portrayed - songs, videos, promotions. It's nice to go somewhere
and it not be your thing.
Q: The video to your new single, Shiver, is a great show reel for your acting skills.
A: Any chance to cram in a bit of acting! It was good fun. We shot it in freezing cold Kiev on a four-day shoot. It was inspired by The Bourne Supremacy.
Q: So having had three years away from the limelight, how do you feel about launching yourself back into that whole world of publicity over and over again?
A: I have this album that I'm really proud of and I'm really excited and confident about that. I was too trusting when I started the whole interview thing - I was too trusting. Then you get burnt, and you do a story, and you're like, "I didn't say that and they put quotation marks in." I remember you can't really say anything.
Q: Do you get back to Australia much?
A: I'm going back on Friday for a week, believe it or not. I love being there but this won't be a family trip; it'll just be work back-to-back.
Q: Are you happy living here in England?
A: I'm really fond of it now. It's been a while and I'm happiest here in Windsor, where I live.