Sisters

Rogue Traders frontwoman and talented triple threat Natalie ‘Nat’ Bassingthwaighte is hoping to see the world, challenge herself and have fun on The Amazing Race Australia. She has roped in her sister, Melinda Sheldrick to join her on this adventurous journey.

Nat rose to prominence on Australia’s long-running soap opera Neighbours for her role as Izzy Hoyland and went on to host So You Think You Can Dance Australia. For these roles, Nat received Logie nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Presenter. She also received two Gold Logie nominations in 2006 and 2009. She was also a judge and mentor on X-Factor Australia and hosted Space 22.

Nat has also appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s epic biographical film about the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis and the recently released romantic drama Take My Hand.

Nat began her illustrious stage career in Australian productions of Grease, Rent, Footloose and Chicago. The versatile performer returned to the stage at the iconic Sydney Opera House for the hugely successful extended season of the play Love, Loss and What I Wore, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Funny Girl In Concert. She played Roxie Hart in the hugely successful production of Chicago, for which she was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical for the Sydney Theatre Awards, and played the lead in Jagged Little Pill.

Nat’s music career has seen her achieve acclaim as one of only 10 women to reach number one on the ARIA Charts as a solo artist with her solo album 1000 Stars debuting at number one. She has enjoyed international success as frontwoman of The Rogue Traders, achieving multi-platinum sales across two albums, as well as two APRA nominations, an MTV award win, and seven ARIA nominations. In 2023 she supported Christina Aguilera in Melbourne and performed at the George Michael Freedom concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Nat is teaming up with her older sister Mel, who has never done anything like this before and “deserves the world” after always putting everyone else first. As a huge fan of The Amazing Race, Mel has always wanted to do the Race one day but never thought she would get the opportunity.

Having come from a corporate background, mum of two Mel recently had a career change and is now loving her new occupation as a barista. Loving people and being able to provide a wonderful experience for someone is important to her and Mel believes her people skills and her ability to think quickly having worked in fast-paced environments will really help them during the challenges.

And while this is completely out of her comfort zone, nothing was going to stop her from sharing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with her sister Nat and raise awareness for a cause that is very close to her heart.

Nat and Mel are looking forward to sharing this experience and making life-long memories together. The sisters also plan to be kind, have fun and of course, win.