She’s been a big name in Australia for 15 years, but Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 42, is yet to conquer Hollywood. However, that could be about to change, with the star revealing her plans to move to LA!
When TV WEEK recently spoke to the stunning performer, she was knee-deep in auditions and loving every minute of it.
The actress is so keen to get over to Tinseltown, she’s trying out for anything and everything. From all genres to every type of character – the triple threat is itching to do it all.
“I don’t want to limit myself,” she explains. “One minute, I feel like I’d love to do a real period drama and then I feel like I’d love to do a rom-com. I’m just having a complete ball.”
“I’m right in the middle of pilot season,” Nat says.
Most people would be struggling with nerves at a time like this. Pilot season is two solid months of constant auditions for new US TV shows. And landing a role on one has the potential to turn an actor into a bona fide star.
Despite the pressure, Nat isn’t nervous about what may or may not happen. However, she admits to worrying there will be fewer parts available now that she’s in her forties.
“I think there’s always that fear,” the actress reveals.
But she’s taking it all in her stride, viewing the times when she’s not working as a chance to embrace being a mum to daughter Harper, seven, and four-year-old son, Hendrix.
“Once upon a time, I probably wouldn’t have felt so comfortable doing that,” she confesses. “I’m just so settled and feel really great with where everything is at.”
If Nat does go on to score a part in a Hollywood production, it’d be a case of third time lucky. The Wollongong-born entertainer has tried to conquer America twice before.
However, the reason she ended up back in Australia wasn’t because she didn’t make it over there. It was because she scored two massive opportunities on home turf.
The first was hosting talent show So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Following that, she travelled to the US again, only to return home for a judging role on The X Factor Australia and New Zealand.
Now, though, her focus is solely on acting. And that’s a realisation that came out of her time on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! last year.
The reality TV stint helped re-introduce her to Australia, reminding everyone of her star power. Soon after, Nat was cast in the Network Ten drama The Wrong Girl as the cool, calm and collected Gillian.
And it was playing pastry chef Gillian that got Nat thinking about reprising her breakout role of Izzy on Neighbours. The characters are so different, she felt ready to step back into the homewrecker’s shoes.
The idea of a “really fun, interesting and crazy storyline” was also too tempting to pass up. But playing Izzy again, more than 10 years after her dramatic exit from the show, was no mean feat.
“I didn’t know if I’d be able to remember who Izzy was or if I’d be able to do her justice,” she says.
“I felt like there was a lot to live up to because people had – and still have – a very strong opinion on Izzy.
“Once I got the costume on and I got on set, I really felt like I knew who she was. It was such a strange experience.”
And just as soon as Izzy arrived and shook up Ramsay Street, it appears she’s off again. The question now is – will she return again?
Nat is coy on the possibility of Izzy making another comeback in the future, but it seems as though the chances are good.
“Never say never!” she laughs.
