Natalie Imbruglia's Awkward Audition Memory: 'I Felt So icky!'

Natalie Imbruglia, the Australian singer-songwriter, is back with her seventh album, Algorithm, which she is releasing on her own record label, Landgirl. Natalie has a unique way of writing music—she needs to be moving, often walking in circles, to catch melodies and ideas. Sitting still doesn’t work for her, so small studios can be a challenge. Her new album is inspired by artists like Talking Heads and Grace Jones, blending upbeat dance sounds with lyrics that explore complex emotions. One of the songs, Who Dimmed The Lights, deals with Natalie’s experience during perimenopause, a period before menopause when women’s hormones change. She describes how her mental health suffered, with symptoms like brain fog and trouble with spatial awareness, making her walk into doorways more often.

Perimenopause also made Natalie’s ADHD worse, increasing her anxiety and anger. She noticed that people around her were confused by her behavior, which was affected by her ability to process information. Natalie has always struggled with stage fright, but during perimenopause, her anxiety became overwhelming, especially on tour. She became sensitive to sounds and found it hard to answer questions, even simple ones like choosing between still or sparkling water. This made her feel like she was being difficult, and she worried about how she was treating her team. After one particularly tough concert, she told her co-writers she might have to quit music because she couldn’t handle the stress. They helped her realize that it was normal to feel nervous before performing and encouraged her to accept her feelings instead of fighting them. This conversation inspired a new song and helped Natalie feel more at ease.

Natalie’s journey to fame began as a child in Sydney, where she loved performing and singing for her neighbors. She appeared in commercials and sang carols in shopping centers. As a teenager, she rebelled against her strict parents, sneaking out and getting into trouble. Music remained her refuge, and she attended her first concert at 15, watching the performers with determination. In 1997, she moved to London after leaving her role in the TV show Neighbours and quickly found success with her debut single, Torn. Although Torn was a cover, Natalie co-wrote most of the songs on her first album, Left of the Middle, which sold seven million copies. She admits that the attention around Torn made her insecure, leading her to experiment with her second album in ways that were less commercial.

Natalie became a mother in 2019, and her son’s name, Max Valentine, is tattooed on her arm. She once auditioned for the lead role in Moulin Rouge, but the experience was uncomfortable and left her feeling uneasy. Despite setbacks, Natalie continued to make music, joining TV shows and acting in plays. She returned to music with renewed confidence, realizing that her fans connect with her because she shares genuine emotions. Her latest single, Beautiful Love, was filmed on her iPhone and features the car she bought with her first album’s earnings. Algorithm includes honest discussions about mental health and Natalie’s experiences with internet conspiracy theories. She warns about the dangers of spending too much time on phones and encourages people to change their habits. The album ends with a positive message about embracing flaws and finding peace with life’s highs and lows. Natalie says she enjoys feeling all the emotions life has to offer and believes that being authentic is what matters most to her fans.