Natalie Bassingthwaighte (born 1 September 1975) is an Australian actress, singer, and television personality. She is the former lead vocalist of electro-pop band Rogue Traders, author of a book for teenage girls and host of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. She is perhaps best known for the role of Izzy Hoyland on the soap opera Neighbours from 2003 to 2007, which gained her nominations for the TV Week Gold Logie. Her debut album 1000 Stars debuted at number 1 on March 1, 2009.

Biography

Acting career

Before being cast in Neighbours, Bassingthwaighte had starred in a few television roles, including All Saints, Home and Away, Heartbreak High, The Lost World and So you think you can dance. Bassingthwaighte's character, Izzy Hoyland on Neighbours had an evil streak and often caused trouble, including having an affair with a married man. She left the show in late-2006 to focus on her singing career and joined the Rogue Traders, and returned briefly in March 2007 for a two-week guest stint that was filmed in London where Rogue Traders were touring at the time.

In 2006, Bassingthwaighte was nominated for a Gold Logie for the first time since joining Neighbours. The Gold Logie is the biggest award at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards, which is presented to the "Most Popular Personality on Television." She was also nominated for a Silver Logie for "Best Actress," but failed to win either award. Bassingthwaighte was nominated for a Silver Logie for "Most Popular Actress" at the 2007 Logies, but lost to Home and Aways Kate Ritchie.