What can you say about Natasha Hamilton? Having joined the fledgling Atomic Kitten aged just 16, the band signed their first deal a year later and soon rose to fame with debut hit “Right Now” hitting the top ten in December 1999.
It took another 13 months of hard work and globetrotting as well as new member Jenny Frost replacing Kerry Katona before the band released their anthem, the worldwide smash hit “Whole Again”. They followed this huge success with a string of hit singles (including two UK number 1s) and three hit albums (also including two UK number 1s). They also became the face of MTV Asia for a full 12 months and began collecting the first of many international awards.
In 2002, as the band left on their first full tour, Natasha and fiancé Fran Cosgrave announced they were expecting a baby. Fully supported by the other two Kittens, Natasha delivered baby Josh later that year and soon returned to band duties delivering their third studio album.
By the beginning of 2004, Natasha realised that she was totally exhausted. Five years of 18 hour days and relentless travel were beginning to take their toll. She did some soul searching and decided to discuss her feelings with Jenny and Liz. All three decided that the time was right to take a break from being in Atomic Kitten but to leave the band on hold. Why split something up which had taken so much effort to create and which was so successful?
Their arena tour and greatest hits package was an emotional ride for all concerned, the Wembley concert gave the band their first number 1 DVD, and they had big hits with singles ‘Someone Like Me’ and the Greatest Hits album.
After 5 million albums the rollercoaster rounded the last bend and came to a stop, and Natasha took a year out to have baby Harry, and to enjoy being a mum.
In April 2005, Natasha prepared to return to her musical career and began writing and recording her first solo songs. It soon became obvious that she was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Bringing to mind early Tina Turner tracks from the later 60s, her enormous and impressive vocals are the bedrock of her organic, rootsy and sassy old-school soul R’n'B.
Natasha’s first solo gigs followed in June, and she has been performing up and down the country since.
Her latest triumphs however have been on TV, where she wowed audiences with her rendition of the classic hit ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ on Movie Music Mania on ITV last year, and then most successful becoming a finalist on ‘Just the Two of Us’ on BBC1 in February and March 2006. Tash was partnered with Mark Moraghan (Holby City), where they stunned the country not only with their electric chemistry, but also for the amount of sheer natural talent they both showed. Some may say that they did win the competition, on the merit of all four judges.
Natasha is now heavily embroiled in writing for her debut solo album. No release is yet scheduled, but she is touring this summer across the UK.
Tash has also been named as the face of Fairy Non-Bio, as they launch their ‘Special Cuddles for Special Care Babies’ campaign, which is aimed to bring awareness to the Bliss charity for premature babies.
