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Neighbourhood > Actor Profiles > Natalie Bassingthwaighte

Born 1st September 1975, in Wollongong, Australia, Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s love of acting started at an early age, with appearances in school productions. She later attended The Australian College Of Entertainment, and gradually made her way into television and musical theatre, with early appearances in Channel Seven’s hospital drama All Saints and the musicals RENT and Footloose. In 2003, she was signed to a three-year contract in the role of Neighbours’ latest bad girl, Isabelle Hoyland.

During her three years as Izzy, she also continued her musical interests, with the role of Sandy Olsson in a touring production of Grease, alongside former Neighbour, Craig McLachlan. In 2004, she auditioned incognito for the job of lead singer for the band, Rogue Traders, appearing in their videos in a black wig in the hope that her Neighbours fame wouldn’t influence people to listen to their music.

The release of the album, Here Come The Drums, their first with Natalie on vocals, was a huge success in both Australia and the UK, spawning several hit singles including Voodoo Child. Natalie is currently rumoured to be dating Rogue Traders’ percussionist Cameron McGlinchey, after previously being linked to one of the Neighbours assistant directors, Ryan Eckersley.

In 2006, after three years as the scarlet woman of Erinsborough, Natalie announced plans to leave the soap and devote more time to music, telling All About Soap magazine that “I was working seven-day weeks, combining the show with Rogue Traders and I was getting so tired that I didn’t know where I was half the time. I realised that something would have to go, but the show was so hard to give up.” It is thought that the character of Izzy will return for guest appearances. Meanwhile, as of late 2006, Rogue Traders are working on their third album (their second with Natalie) and she has also announced plans for a solo music project of her own.

Profile by Steve

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