Firsts with Natalie Imbruglia: My first job, my Neighbours debut, the first record I bought

Virgin Radio

8 Sep 2023, 06:47

Ahead of her upcoming Sunset Session from the top of the tower, Natalie Imbruglia stopped by to reminisce on Virgin Radio Firsts.

Natalie will be taking to the stage at Virgin Radio to perform an intimate and exclusive gig on 29th September with our sponsors SMARTY Mobile. And when she popped in to chat to Ricky Wilson about the gig, she also shared some of her firsts with us.

Watch Natalie Imbruglia’s Firsts here:

First record?

The first record I bought would have been Whitney Houston. And I think it was called Whitney Houston; the one that's got (sings) ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. I used to do concerts in the back garden, invite all the relatives, and be Whitney. 

First job? 

The first job I had was working underage in my dad's chicken shop, because all the surfer dudes used to come and get their potato gems, and so I was very keen to help out!

First gig?

The first gig I went to would have been INXS. I can't actually remember what album it was for, but I know we all got on the train from the Central Coast and went to Sydney, which is about an hour-and-a-half or something. And we were so close to the stage, I think we could actually grab his leg. I think I might have gone for his leg. You couldn’t do that now, could you? You’d be in all kinds of trouble. There's no grabbing legs on stage. Certainly not throwing things.

First film?

I don't know if it was the first film, but a film from my childhood that my whole family was in love with is Annie, the original. And I've just been watching it recently with my son and I love it. Every scene, every dance routine. 

First live performance?

The first gig I ever performed, apart from in the backyard doing Whitney Houston, would have been a shopping centre. I was in a dance troupe and I used to sing Christmas carols and perform just by the escalator for the Christmas shoppers, wearing a little Santa girl outfit. True story. 

First scene in Neighbours?

I think I come out of the house and we're having a little chat with Brad and whoever else was there. That was the first thing I remember doing, and I had a really distinctive perm. I remember that.

First family holiday?

My family convinced me that a 12-hour drive to [town in northern New South Wales] Inverell to visit my granny was a holiday. So that was my holiday. And we used to do family singalongs in the car and sing The Carpenters, and do harmonies. 

First music award?

I don't know if it was my first but it would have been one of the first, was winning two BRIT Awards on my first ever album release. I think it was Best International Female and Best International Newcomer, and I only recently got them out of storage and have them on display finally. I got over my Australian tall poppy thing of not being able to be proud of yourself and now I'm really proud. It's only taken 25 years!

First UK visit? 

The first time I visited the UK was when I was 17. I came over to do a pantomime in Canterbury, and I was Snow White. And I bought a pair of electric blue platform boots. Yeah, I don't know why I told you that!