Natalie Zahra
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Natalie Zahra (born April 24, 1988), was a contestant of the top 13 in Season 3 of Australian Idol. At her audition in Queensland, she touched the judges (Mark Holden, Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands) hearts with her angelic performance of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from the musical The Wizard of Oz. At 17 years of age, she made it into the top 13. She was eliminated from the competition on 19 September placing her in 11th position. She is also of Maltese descent.
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[edit] Biography
Natalie is a country girl from Innisfail, Northern Queensland . Before her Australian Idol journey, she was a singing teacher and taught students of all ages.
[edit] Australian Idol
Natalie first auditioned in front of the hosts of Australian Idol (Andrew G and James Mathison) in Cairns. She was then taken in front of the judges to perform once again. All three judges were deeply affected, and she was admitted into the series.
Natalie then travelled to Sydney to perform in the top 150. Once again the judges were stunned by her performance of "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys.
She then performed in her trio in the top 75 and made it through. Soon after, she did her stage performance in the top 55. She later found out, that she was part of the top 30.
In the top 30, Natalie once again impressed the judges by singing "When You Believe" by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The Australian public seemed to be impressed too after she was one of 3 talented singers voted into the top 13 (Dan England and Lee Harding were also voted through that night).
On Natalie's first top 13 performance (Australian Made Theme), Natalie performed "Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi which, coincidentally, was written by Mark Holden. On the Live Verdict the next day, Natalie waited nervously on the couch, only to be told that she was safe for the night.
A week later, on '60s night, Natalie chose to sing a classic by Martha & The Vandellas, "Dancing In The Street." According to the judges, her performance wasn't up to scratch. The next night, Andrew G announced that she was part of the bottom 3 (Laura Gissara and James Kannis were the other two). Andrew announced that James was safe leaving Natalie and Laura in great tension. "The contestant leaving the competition tonight," announced Andrew, "is Natalie Zahra." Natalie was then asked to sing for the last time.
[edit] Australian Idol Performances
- Cairns/Brisbane Auditions: Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland
- Theatre Round Day One: If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys
- Theatre Round Day Two: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? by The Shirelles (with Diana Campese & Angelina Rizzeri)
- Theatre Round Day Three: Beautiful Disaster by Kelly Clarkson
- Top 30 (Group 3): When You Believe by Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston
- Top 13 (Australian Made): Absolutely Everybody by Vanessa Amorosi
- Top 11 (60's Hits): Dancin' In The Street by Martha Reeves
[edit] After Idol
After Australian Idol Natalie travelled to Melbourne to visit family and met up with a Melbourne based producer/songwriter by the name of 'Jhay C' who immediately saw the potential in her. The two hit it off in the studio and have created three hot tracks within the space of one week. The first single, "Essence Of You", earned her an award at the recent Musicoz Awards. She won the award for "The Legit Music Development Best R&B Artist".
