SINGER NATALIE’S DREAMS COME TRUE
A PERFORMER who used to live in Uxbridge made her dream come true after winning the UK’s Open Mic.
Natalie May, 27, was crowned the best out of 10,000 applicants after wowing judges in the final at Birmingham’s NEC.
Natalie, who now lives in Edgware, told the Gazette she was “that child who dreamt of being a pop star since she could talk”.
She said: “I’ve wanted to sing my whole life and I heard about UK Open Mic online and thought it looked like a cool opportunity for singer songwriters to perform in front of industry professionals.”
The singer admitted the pressure of the competition daunted her during the early stages and made her anxious, until she took up mindfulness and meditation.
“When I performed the first few times, the competing aspect was at the forefront of my mind, whereas for the final, I told myself I’m here because I love singing.”
Natalie, who has been working on her new EP, due out in June, said there is so much to gain from the whole experience, but winning made her feel “euphoric, excited and full of gratitude and relief ” after the seven-month process to the final.
“The final backstage was like a concert, it was really nice meeting a lot of creative artists from all genres,” she said.
“My motto is ‘to feel the fear and do it anyway’. Fear is to keep you in your comfort space and you don’t grow.”
Natalie’s friends and family, who live in Harrow, travelled to support her on the night, after seeing her soar through a number of other successes.
She has previously released club beat Sexy Sexy, which was produced by Rudimental, and supported Jessie J on backing vocals on the Alan Carr Show.
London DJ Nikki Beatnik, who has played her music before, said: “Natalie May is a gifted singer and writer, she is the real deal.
“I play her records all over the world.”