Celebrity Interviews
July 2012

Interview with NATALIE GAUCI
by Ramona Portelli
e-mail:-  ramonaportelli@hotmail.com
Website:-  www.ramonaportelli.com

RAMONA PORTELLI from okmalta.com interviewed Australian singer, songwriter and performer – NATALIE GAUCI.  30 years old, Natalie is currently living in Sweden, Stockholm.  She is best known for winning the Australian Idol in 2007.

“It’s so beautiful here in Sweden.  I am enjoying being in a new country, meeting new people, learning a new culture and experiencing a European summer.  I have music as my life and my hobbies are keeping fit and having fun.  I don’t have kids yet”, stated Natalie Gauci in her introduction to this interview.
 

Describe yourself in your own words
I am pretty positive person and my main focus in life is to be happy with myself and the people around me.  I love being fit and healthy, eating good food with people I love, and sharing things with them.  I am big on family and close friends, and have so much love to give them and that makes me happy.  I love anything to do with music and people.

How did you get into music?
I started singing when I was 3 into a pretend microphone.  Well, my dad had a projector camera back in the olden days, which he absolutely loved and there was a microphone attached to it, and I don’t think I ever let go of it once!  It was used for audio and talking, so I would interview my whole family and sing into it.  Then I asked my mum if I could do dancing classes, and then I started acting when I was 10 and did lots of commercials and hosted a TV show on Cable.  Then I started playing trumpet in the school bands and got a scholarship into a music college, started singing in musicals and have always had a love for pop music.  I discovered a love for jazz at a very early age and Nina Simone became my favourite artist of all time.  I then started my own jazz band, and started writing music and the rest is history.  Idol was the biggest kick starter I’d say.

Mention some of your latest and greatest music work
Tune in Tokyo is my pride and joy and so are the Idol Days!!  Running up that Hill and Here I am, Dreamer and Ray of Love and Just Dance are my favourite.

You established your musical career in 2007 after winning the Australian Idol.  What are your comments today?
I have lots of commitments and the most important is do what feels right in everyway- musically, spiritually, emotionally and work wise also.  Writing music comes from the soul and from the heart and from life experiences, so my mission in life is experience as much as possible, sing everyday and make people feel happy with my music.

Are you planning any musical tours in the coming months?
Yes yes yes!!!! I am coming to Malta absolutely just waiting on some dates!  I will be heading back to Australia soon to tour with Tune In Tokyo as well, which I’m excited about, because I am missing my home town.

Have you ever kissed someone of your same sex?
Yes.  But I think I’m straight, although kissing girls is always fun for a change!!

Have you ever lied to your partner or your ex?
Yes.  When I was 19 I cheated on my boyfriend and felt terrible - I told him in the end because I felt so bad, but I only told him about the one guy, but there were two.  I did it again when I was 24, and then never again after that.  I am a loyal woman now!!  And I have learnt my lesson, it’s not cool.  It hurts the other person very badly.

Do you agree with same-sex marriages?
Yes, absolutely!!!

Have you had to make any big changes to your lifestyle?
Well, it depends.  I have gone through phases of fad diets, binging on booz and lack of sleep due to travelling over the past 8 months, and I am now starting to get back into a slightly better routine.  I have been living out of a suitcase for 9 months, and I feel like this has become my life for a while, and I really love it!!  Ok sometimes packing my suitcase can be arduous, but once it’s done it’s done, then it’s all loads of fun!!

Being your surname is a Maltese one (Gauci), what’s your connection to Malta?
My dad was born in Malta, and I have lots of family in Malta that are just so proud of me.  I felt the connection the first time I arrived in Malta, and performed at the Malta Song Festival and saw all the amazing singers and realized – oh wow!!  They are like me!!!  Short and brunette with big voices, and loads of confidents and I felt very at home!  I am a Maltese citizen!

What are your comments about my country island – Malta?
Apart from feeling so at home, I love the clubs, I love the people and I love the fact that music is big part of the culture.  It is a small country filled with big passions and drive from the people, and that is what I can relate to also.  I love Gozo also, and I can’t wait to come back.

How many times have you visited Malta?
Twice.  Once for Malta Song Festival when I had the opportunity to perform with Chiara in 2008, and The Notte Bianca Festival in 2009.

How do you relax and get away from it all?
Hmmmm I have fallen in love with parks and forest here in Stockholm, so I go for walks.  I love skipping that is my thing right now.  I also meditate, but I haven’t done that for a while, I really should!  I love watching live bands and Stockholm is great for that.  Singing keeps me calm as well.  Alone time is vital.

What is your beauty routine?
Oh my god!  I’m bad at keeping a routine.  I try to listen to my body as much as possible and try not to wash my face and body everyday.  I know that sounds weird, but I feel better when I’m a bit dirty hahaha, and I know my friends and family will agree that I’m not the cleanest person.  Having said that, I do exfoliate my body once a week, and I cleanse my face 4 times a week, I wash my hair twice a week, and I don’t use much make-up or hair products these days.  I drink lots of water too.

What’s your sense of style and what do you wear on a daily basis?
I love tracksuit pants, and anything comfortable if I am at home.  When I am out I also like to be comfortable, so on a daily basis I’m wearing baggy clothes, or if I want to feel sexy I will wear short skirts with tights or jeans shorts.  My friends call me punky brooster shirts hehe.

What does your most ideal day consist of?
Hmm should I be honest?  Ok.. good food, good wine, good company, a sunny day, great sex and then a performance in the evening and a shot of fire ball!! Or an amazing writing session!

What are your hopes, dreams and fears for the future?
My hopes are to continue to be happy and healthy and keep singing.  My dreams are to have a family of my own.  My fear is getting old before my time.

Copyright © 2012 Ramona Portelli - okmalta.com, All rights reserved.

Photo Credits:- ERIK LUNDBACK