It might sound corny but we’re calling it – Natalie Bassingthwaighte is the best thing that’s happened to TV in a long time.
The 41-year-old was the life of the party on season three of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and we’re at a loss now she won’t be on our screens every night.
Now To Love were lucky enough to catch up with the charming pocket rocket and Pantene ambassador to talk about her wild ride straight into our hearts…
Australia wept with you when you were finally reunited with your daughter Harper and son Hendrix, how exciting was it to be back in their arms for good last night?
It was unbelievable. It was such a long time to be away from them and they’re running around with me now. We love South Africa and we’re going to explore, hang out and reconnect. I can’t wait.
So much can happen in six weeks, were there any big family milestones that went on?
My daughter started year one, Hendrix started kindy… that stuff is really big and we always make sure that we do stuff like that together.
They’re just great though, they’re such good kids and I’ve got a great husband who’s been looking after them. Now that I’m with them, I feel like no time has passed but at the time it was really difficult.
What about your husband Cam, he must be stoked to have you back?
I think so, he’s off on a safari so he’s great! I think he’s very happy – we’re such a team, it seems like life has come together again.
Have you spoken to Naz about him accidentally revealing you’d come third?
Oh yeah! I haven’t even had a chance to speak to him about it. Everyone was talking about it. I kind of missed that with all the shenanigans.
Someone mentioned something last night and people have spoken about it this morning, poor Naz!
Do you know how the mistake happened?
I don’t know anything about it. That’s something that I need to be talked to about.
Were you sad to get so close to winning?
Of course winning would have been the icing on the cake, especially winning the money for my charity, SISTER2SISTER. I feel like we all really won, it really was a life-changing experience.
I felt really proud of myself as soon as they called my name out, I wasn’t disappointed. I was so excited to run out and see my kids.
It was one of those moments I’ll never forget and also not to underestimate how hard it was. It was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I’m so proud of Casey for winning, she’s such a legend, a beautiful soul, incredibly talented, funny, so I’m stoked for her.
You’d made so many beautiful friendships, you’re going to be a very busy lady this year staying in touch with everyone, What does the rest of 2017 look like for you?
I’m going to check out Naz’s show, I can’t wait to catch up with Lisa and she’s got her wedding this year – that’s just going to be amazing.
Rogue Traders, we’re doing some new music! That’s been in the pipeline and a couple of acting projects that I’ve been working on – hopefully they’ll still want me after all my shenanigans in the jungle.
They definitely will, we need you back on our screens asap!
Ahhhh!* It’s so surreal to hear everyone talk about it. You’re just kind of living you’re life and it’s like “huh, what do you mean?”
*(It’s important to note, this isn’t just a stock-standard scream, this was an iconic Nat Bass scream)
We fell in love with you as Izzy on Neighbours, would you consider paying Ramsay Street a visit again?
Never say never! I had such a brilliant time on that show, it ignited my love for acting. I got to play a really fun character so never say never…
On that note, we love you as who you are. Would you consider a Nat Bass show?
Oh for sure! I’ve always been very open mined with work. I’ve done lots of different things so for me it’s not necessarily “I’m only doing this genre”, it’s more like what the project is.
If I feel like I can challenge myself and have a good time in the process then I’m usually like “yep, I’ll have a go!” So that [a reality TV show] would be amazing.
Everyone is OBSESSED with how good you look sans make-up, PLEASE share your skin secrets?
Do you know what? I do have this amazing little place I go to in Melbourne, it’s called Missie CoCo in Prahran. I’ve been going there for a couple of years and she uses ultraceuticals on my face and I feel pretty blessed to go there.
I go there once a month and have a laser or a micro – I go hard! Go hard or go home I say. She’s the bomb. My skin feels completely different to what it did a number of years ago.
You didn’t have any weight to lose but how much did you end up dropping?
I think I’ve lost six-kilos, I’ve lost about 10% of my body weight. Which I really wanted to lose anyway, I wanted to get back to the size that I was before I had babies.
I’m actually almost there but when I got out and saw myself in a full-length mirror I was stoked! This is how I want to look. If I can maintain this I’ll be rapt.
The jungle gives you A LOT of time to think – did you have any light-bulb moments?
I’ve been searching for that work-life balance for the last couple of years and I feel like I’ve come out the other side wanting more. And I feel like I’m good! I came out and I didn’t reach for my phone. I didn’t look at it for five hours.
I just want to schedule work hours more instead of trying to multi-task 24/7, sometimes I’ll work til 11 at night. But now I’m like “No! I only work between these hours and these hours.” The rest are for my family and my hubby. That’s the goal! Speak to me in another six months.
The show also forced you to hang out with people you usually wouldn’t, talk us through your tension with Tzioprah Malkah?
I was proud with how I handled that and my husband was too, so that’s the main thing. He was like “babe you handled yourself really well in there.” I don’t like confrontation and bitchiness, it’s not who I am.
I did struggle with that at the beginning and it made me want to leave. She said I was obnoxious and I was like “omg, no one has ever told me in my life I was an obnoxious person.” Sometimes personalities don’t get so I stepped back a little bit. In her defense, everyone’s detoxing and they’re in this strange environment.
What will be the memory you keep with you forever?
I don’t think anything will ever beat seeing my kids for the first time, it was like the most mind-blowing experience.
I’ll never do that again or be away from them for that long. I’ll cherish that moment with all my heart. It’s made me appreciate my life. And I feel a lot more gratitude than I ever have before.
