Natalie Imbruglia has lifted the lid on a deeply uncomfortable chapter of her rise to fame, revealing that a lads' magazine photoshoot left her 'really traumatised' at a time when she was being celebrated as one of pop's most desirable stars.
The 51-year-old singer has also admitted she was 'very dysmorphic' during the height of her fame, despite receiving constant praise for her looks. Her candid revelations offer a striking contrast between the glamorous image presented to the public and the private struggle she experienced as the media placed increasing emphasis on her appearance.
The Shoot That Left Her 'Traumatised'
Imbruglia has recalled how her transition from Neighbours star to international pop singer brought with it a new level of scrutiny over her appearance.
After leaving the Australian soap and pursuing music, she found herself being encouraged to wear increasingly revealing clothes and take part in lingerie and magazine shoots. One particular session for a lads' magazine had a lasting impact.
The singer said the shoot 'really traumatised' her and later encountered the photographer in a club. She recalled being shocked when he told her the photographs had been sold widely.
Imbruglia has chosen not to name the publication, explaining that she does not want people searching for the images and potentially viewing them again.
Her decision not to identify the magazine also highlights how differently she now views the experience. Rather than treating the shoot as simply part of the price of fame, she is able to recognise how uncomfortable she was with the situation and the way her image was being used.
When Beauty Praise Became a Burden
The revelation is particularly striking because Imbruglia was repeatedly celebrated for her looks throughout the late 1990s.
Following the phenomenal success of 'Torn', she became one of the most recognisable faces in pop, with her appearance frequently discussed alongside her music. Her debut album Left of the Middle went on to sell seven million copies, while her success earned her two BRIT Awards and three Grammy nominations.
Yet the singer says the public perception of her did not match the way she saw herself.
Despite being hailed for her beauty and appearing on lists celebrating her desirability, she struggled with body dysmorphia and was deeply uncomfortable with her appearance. That disconnect became part of the pressure of being a young woman in the spotlight: the more people praised her looks, the more conscious she became of them.
Taking Back Control of Her Image
Imbruglia's experience also influenced the way she approached her image.
For the video for 'Torn', she wore her own clothes rather than being dressed to emphasise her body. The choice offered a degree of control at a time when she was increasingly aware of how the industry viewed and marketed her.
It was a subtle but important shift. Instead of allowing her image to be dictated entirely by other people, she began making decisions about how she wanted to be seen.
The singer has previously reflected on the sexism of the era, while making clear that she does not want to portray herself simply as a victim. Her perspective now comes with the benefit of decades of hindsight and a greater confidence in setting boundaries.
A Different Kind of Confidence at 51
Today, Imbruglia is entering a very different phase of her career.
Her seventh album, Algorithm, was released on 4 September 2026 through her own label, Landgirl Records, marking her first release on the imprint. The album draws on experiences including perimenopause, mental health, OCD and the pressures of modern life.
Perimenopause became particularly challenging for Imbruglia, with symptoms affecting her anxiety, concentration and ability to perform. She has described feeling unlike herself and questioning whether she could continue working in music.
But rather than hiding those experiences, she channelled them into her new music.
Algorithm is a fitting soundtrack to a period in which Imbruglia has taken greater control over her career and creative decisions. Releasing music through her own label has allowed her to work on her terms, while the album addresses subjects she may once have kept private.
After years of being judged primarily through the lens of beauty, Imbruglia now appears far more interested in defining herself beyond her appearance. At 51, the woman once marketed as a 1990s beauty icon is telling her own story—and this time, she is deciding exactly how she wants it to be seen.
