Favourite Season: Season One
Favourite Movie: It's All Gone Pete Tong
Favourite TV show: Deadwood
Favourite Colour: Blue
Favourite Sport: Squash
Favourite Album: Peter Gabriel - Growing Up
Favourite Song: "Message in a Bottle" - Sting & Police
First Job: Hair Dressing Apprentice

Melbourne's Natalie caused a real splash in the audition room when Dicko proclaimed her "one of the best people we've seen". "You can win this competition," he told her. Having seen favourites lack public support in the past, Marcia was having none of it, telling the 25-year-old his words were the "kiss of death". Nevertheless, there was no arguing with the former hairdressing apprentice's talent. Natalie is a lover of soul, blues, jazz and pop, Guy Sebastian and Doritos. In fact it was Guy who inspired her to audition, and she hopes to one day work with him.

I first realised I wanted to become a professional singer when… I got my first gig!! I was 17 and my first gig was at DeBiers in the city of Melbourne. We were all underage at the time, not that I'm encouraging under 18s to do the same; that's just how it started It was E.S.P-Jazz band. I had so much fun, I knew at that point I was ready to sing!

What is your favourite genre of music? Please tell us why you love that particular style. I have a few favourite genres. I love Soul, Blues, Jazz and Pop. I love it because I can relate to it and it challenges my ears. These genres express emotions that are deep and usually communicate something special - well, to me anyway!

Which previous finalist do you find most inspiring and why? Guy Sebastian would have to be my absolute favourite. He inspired me to audition this year. To see him still performing and endeavoring to higher heights makes me believe in the Australian Music industry even more.

Have you auditioned for a previous series of Australian Idol? If so, how far did you progress? What motivated you to audition this year? Never! I was just waiting for the right time. I really needed to be grounded and believe in who I am. Being judged by the nation, I'd like to show who I really am as best as I can.

Describe your feeling at your first audition? I wasn't nervous until they called my name. As soon as I stood infront of the judges my heart was POUNDING - I could hear it! Marcia calmed me down with some practice of deep breathing.

Obviously, it's important to have a strong voice, but what other aspects give a performer 'star quality'? Star quality, I believe happens when you're born and then it grows with you, if you allow it to. There's a time for every star to shine! Whoohoo!!

Idol shows often follow a special theme like Disco, Rock or Big Band. What would your 'dream theme' be and why? If I get to be part of the Top 12, I would be ecstatic if I got to sing BIG BAND!

What would you call your debut album? I'd probably choose my favourite hit song from the album and use that as the title of the album.

Why do you think Australian Idol is an important part of our local music industry? Australian Idol has introduced new musical genres to a broader audience. More people are starting to appreciate live music of many genres other then mainstream pop. It gives people like me an opportunity to reach a wider audience.

Which artist (dead or alive) would you most like to perform a duet with and why? There are so many artist I'd love to sing with, but an Aussie singer I would love to sing with would definitely be GUY SEBASTIAN! I'd be pretty satisfied with that situation!

What's the best thing about being on Australian Idol? The Maccas! Nah, so far I've loved the sing -a-longs and the group auditions - I got the privilege of singing with the best singers in Australia! It was so much fun!

Who is your favourite judge and why? I love all the judges. I have had Marcia dealing with my auditions and she is very positive and keeps me calm and grounded. She rocks.

How do you prepare yourself before a performance? Mentally I need space and quiet time just to chill - and I do some vocal warm ups/sirens and run though my lyrics. I find it a challenge to remember the words - even in my original songs! Ha!

What's the best bit of advice someone has given to you? A good friend of mine gave me some advice. He said, 'Be careful and think twice before you talk about your life. Protect yourself.' But I just said I live my life the way I want, I've got nothing to hide. Nothing at all.

If you win, who would you thank first? My Mum and Dad, fans/public, family and friends