‘Australian Idol’ Winner Natalie Gauci Auditioned On ‘The Voice’ & Ooft, It Was Awkward
Last night’s episode of The Voice was a blast from the past, as previous Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci braved the stage hoping for one of the coaches to turn their chairs.
Natalie won the 2007 season of Australian Idol, controversially beating one the series’ biggest success stories, Matt Corby, to claim the top spot. Despite winning, she didn’t exactly set the charts on fire and was arguably one of the series’ least successful victors.
Natalie made her grand return to reality TV on Tuesday night’s episode of The Voice, performing a rendition of Sia’s ‘The Greatest’.
Watch Natalie Gauci’s The Voice audition below:
She won Australian Idol and now she’s on Team Guy. Australia, Natalie Gauci is officially BACK! #TheVoiceAU pic.twitter.com/WCyn3TrbpS
— The Voice Australia (@TheVoiceAU) June 2, 2020
Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem both turned their chairs at the very last minute, but Guy awkwardly admitted that he didn’t immediately recognise her, despite the fact that, you know, he also won Australian Idol. “I know I’m looking at you weird, but do I know you? Can you tell us a bit about yourself?” Guy asked. Ooft.
Natalie snapped back, “Ugh, well, OK. My name is Natalie Gauci, and you might know me from another TV show called Australian Idol?” Lol. She later added, “I can’t believe I’m back on a reality music show…I cannot believe it.” Same tbh.
Guy not knowing who she was sums up her success post-Australian Idol. To think she beat Matt Corby too… #TheVoiceAU
— Jess Huddy (@jesshuddy_) June 2, 2020
Despite this strange moment and the fact that Guy told her that she didn’t nail the performance, Natalie chose to join Team Guy. Several viewers tweeted that they didn’t think it was fair that an Australian Idol winner could compete on The Voice — a series with a much lower success rate.
I’m fine with people who auditioned in prior seasons to come back that’s fine but for other competitions winners like Natalie or Jack Vidgen from that last year they don’t need help. They would 100% know people so use your connections #TheVoiceAU
— Dylan Matthews (@DylanMatthews91) June 2, 2020
Explain to me why is there a winner of The Voice Armenia competing here? And why is there a former Australian Idol winner on this show?!! Enough of this. We want NEW, UNDISCOVERED talent!#TheVoiceAU
— HeatherCG (@HClesidia) June 2, 2020
She's was the worst Australian Idol winner ever #TheVoiceAU
— Michael Barrett (@MichaelLB1984) June 2, 2020
Natalie Gauci is fantastic and it's good to see her back … but she had a much better chance of making it big by winning Idol than off the back of this show, which hasn't created a single music star in eight seasons. #TheVoiceAU
— Brad Henderson (@bradhendosports) June 2, 2020
Natalie will head into the battle rounds on The Voice in the coming weeks.