Idol Special: Natali
2:38p.m. 4 September 2007

Natali Gauci, VIC

Age: 25

Melbourne's Natalie Gauci 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 Dicko’s words were the "kiss of death".

Nevertheless, there was no arguing with the former hairdressing apprentice's talent. Natalie was chosen as a Wild Card entrant and then judge’s pick for the Final 12 after her sultry and note-perfect rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”.

“It’s very exciting,” the gifted musician told the judges. “It was torture, but thank you for believing in me. Thank you so much.”

Perhaps surprisingly for a performer of such obvious talent, 2007 was the first time Natalie auditioned for Australian Idol. “I was just waiting for the right time,” she explains. “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.” Natalie is a lover of soul, blues, jazz and pop, Guy Sebastian and Doritos.