About Natalie Gauci

"Standing on the piano was an amazing moment," says Natalie Gauci.

The 25-year-old Melbournian's performance of The Divinyls' "Boys In Town" proved to be a watershed moment. After a slow start finding her way in the competition, it was her telling the nation, "Here I am, this is what I can do".

And they listened.

"You became an outstanding entertainer in that song," judge Marcia Hines told her. "That was incredible." A Touchdown from Mark Holden followed, and Natalie was unstoppable.

But that's not to say it hasn't been a long road to the Sydney Opera House for Natalie. Despite having performed gigs for many years she had held out auditioning for Australian Idol until now, explaining that she "was just waiting for the right time". "I really needed to be grounded and believe in who I am," she says.

While her initial audition was an immediate hit with the judges ("You can win this competition," Dicko told her) and she was soon entered into the Final 24, Natalie's entry into the Final 12 was a little rockier. She was the final choice of the twelve on the Wild Card Verdict Night, put through by those ever-believing judges.

Once in, headstrong Natalie was determined to make the most of the experience, treating it as a performance master class.

"Meeting and working with Erana Clarke and John Foreman has been a real highlight," she says. "I've learnt so much. I've learnt how to keep up stamina, I've learnt how to get confident when I'm not, I've learnt how to sing on a massive stage and not care about anything – just sing. That's really hard to do and I think I've done that a few times in the series and so I feel like I've achieved something I never thought I would."

Proving herself a master interpreter, Natalie continued to wow with Rihanna's "Umbrella", Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" and her Big Band double of Nat King Cole's "Orange Colored Sky" and Ella Fitzgerald's "How High The Moon".

While fellow contestant Carl Riseley was well-know for his affinity for swing, few realised Natalie had been performing the style for many years ("I kept it a bit of a secret," she admitted). The latter performance earned her yet another coveted Touchdown and brought Dicko to proclaim: "I've always been fond of you, but tonight I think you revealed a major star."

The months of judging and performing in various styles have allowed Natalie a fuller realisation of just how she wants her career to take shape.

"I think I know exactly what I need to do, and I've know that from the start," she says. "But this has helped me grow into that. You can visualise it, but it's not until you actually do it that you realise, ‘Wow, I can actually be an artist'.

"I did small gigs and now I can do big gigs. It's a different scale and it's a different audience and now people actually know me and will come to my gigs and it's just a whole new world for me. It's bloody awesome!"

In the past week Natalie has been in the studio putting her personal touches on the Australian Idol winners song "Here I Am" to be unveiled on Sunday's final performance show.

"I've redone a few things," she explains. "The start and a bit of the bridge and added a few things of mine own to it. I'm going for a gospel kind of thing."

The only obstacle yet to be faced is the Sydney Opera House.

"I'm just crapping my pants," she laughs. "I'm so nervous I can't explain."

Q&A with Natalie

I got my first gig!! I was 17 and my first gig was at DeBiers in the city of Melbourne. We were all underage at the time, not that I'm encouraging under 18s to do the same; that's just how it started  It was E.S.P-Jazz band. I had so much fun, I knew at that point I was ready to sing!   

I have a few favourite genres. I love Soul, Blues, Jazz and Pop. I love it because I can relate to it  and it challenges my ears. These genres express emotions that are deep and usually communicate something special - well, to me anyway!   

Guy Sebastian would have to be my absolute favourite. He inspired me to audition this year. To see him still performing and endeavoring to higher heights makes me believe in the Australian Music industry even more.   

Never! I was just waiting for the right time. 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.    

I wasn't nervous until they called my name. As soon as I stood infront of the judges my heart was POUNDING - I could hear it! Marcia calmed me down with some practice of deep breathing.    

Star quality, I believe happens when you're born and then it grows with you, if you allow it to. There's a time for every star to shine! Whoohoo!!   

If I get to be part of the Top 12, I would be ecstatic if I got to sing BIG BAND!   

I'd probably choose my favourite hit song from the album and use that as the title of the album.    

Australian Idol has introduced new musical genres to a broader audience. More people are starting  to appreciate live music of many genres other then mainstream pop. It gives people like me an opportunity to reach a wider audience.    

There are so many artist I'd love to sing with, but an Aussie singer I would love to sing with would definitely be GUY SEBASTIAN! I'd be pretty satisfied with that situation!   

The Maccas! Nah, so far I've loved the sing -a-longs and the group auditions - I got the  privilege of singing with the best singers in Australia! It was so much  fun!   

I love all the judges. I have had Marcia dealing with my auditions and she is very positive and keeps me calm and grounded. She rocks.    

Mentally I need space and quiet time just to chill - and I do some vocal warm ups/sirens and run though my lyrics. I find it a challenge to remember the words - even in my original songs! Ha!   

A good friend of mine gave me some advice. He said, 'Be careful and think twice before you talk about your life. Protect yourself.' But I just said I live my life the way I want, I've got nothing to hide. Nothing at all.    

My Mum and Dad, fans/public, family and friends.