Natasha Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Natasha Maria Hamilton (born 17 July 1982) is a British
singer-songwriter, dancer and occasional stage actress. She was a member of Atomic Kitten
from 1999 to 2008.
, to a father of White Scottish
and Black African
heritage and a White English
mother. She grew up in Kensington
, Liverpool, and started singing and performing from the age of 12 in the Starlight Show Group. Hamilton also attended St. Sebastians Catholic Primary School, and then Broughton Hall Technology College, both situated in her home town of Liverpool. Hamilton says she was inspired by Marvin Gaye
, Barry White
and Quincy Jones
. After Heidi Range
left the early incarnation of Atomic Kitten
, Hamilton was offered the opportunity to replace her and joined in May 1999.
Hamilton decided to take her baby with her on the 2003 tour with Atomic Kitten. However, the group decided to take a lengthy break following the tour. Although they have not made a new album together since 2003, the group reform occasionally for one-off performances.
In 2003 Hamilton was winner of the annual Rear of the Year
award.
After taking time away from music to raise her son, Hamilton made a return to music after appearing on the BBC1 television show, Just the Two of Us, which paired celebrities with recording artists to compete in a duet singing showdown. Eight couples competed before a panel of judges and the voting public. Hamilton was paired with Mark Moraghan
, famous for his portrayal of Doctor Owen Davies in Holby City
, and the pair came second. They performed classic songs like "Over the Rainbow
" and "Do You Love Me
".
, Ciaron Bell, among others. Hamilton, under the name "Tash", has also recorded a track with Mischa Daniels called "Round and Round (Take Me Higher)", which samples Crystal Waters
' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)
". The track has been included on the Ministry of Sound
compilation Housexy: The Afterparty.
On 8 May 2009, in an interview given to the Daily Mirror, Hamilton stated that her first solo single was likely to be "Ms. Emotional", a ballad she recorded in the United States last year. In the interview she stated that the album would be released 'around' October 2009. In November 2009, Hamilton appeared on Celebrity Come Dine With Me
. Natasha shot the video for 'Ms Emotional' on 30 January 2010 but had to put the release on hold to focus on her third pregnancy.
Hamilton made her pantomime debut when she played the title role in Peter Pan at the Liverpool Empire. It ran from 7 December 2009 until 3 January 2010.
She has now taken over the role of Ms Johnstone in the West End production of Blood Brothers.
in order to make the streets safer for children under six years old. When Hamilton was just three years old, she survived being hit by a car and is therefore passionate about making the roads safer for children.
In March 2008 she was one of the many celebrities to be given the title of Yummy Mummy by the UK media. This was used by UK baby charity Tommy’s in a campaign called ‘Give Babies a Helping Hand’.
On 1 November 2008 Hamilton appeared on TV show, All Star Family Fortunes with her husband, dad, sister and uncle. She won £10,000 for the charity Marie Curie.
, nightclub
owner and former bodyguard
of Westlife
. She announced in April 2002 that she was pregnant, but she had no intention of leaving the group and wanted the scheduled 2002 tour to continue. She was featured in the video "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)" with her last duty being the 2002 Party in the Park
before finally going on maternity leave. On 24 August 2002 she gave birth to a boy, Josh Cosgrave. However, Hamilton and Cosgrave ended their relationship shortly afterwards.
On 31 December 2004, Hamilton gave birth to her second son, Harry Hatcher, whose father is dancer Gavin Hatcher. In July 2005, Hamilton and Hatcher split up and she briefly returned to live with Cosgrave. By February 2006, they had split for a second time.
On 27 September 2006, Hamilton announced her engagement to Riad Erraji. The couple married on 23 November 2007 at Crewe Hall Hotel
with both Jenny Frost
and Liz McClarnon
present. Hamilton has since said that Kerry Katona
was not invited to the wedding as the two of them have drifted too far apart. In January 2008, Hamilton found out she was expecting her third child, but she miscarried after six weeks.
On 14 June 2010, Natasha gave birth to her third son, Alfie Riad Erraji.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer-songwriter, dancer and occasional stage actress. She was a member of Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
from 1999 to 2008.
Early life and career
Hamilton was born in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, to a father of White Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
and Black African
African people
African people refers to natives, inhabitants, or citizen of Africa and to people of African descent.-Etymology:Many etymological hypotheses that have been postulated for the ancient name "Africa":...
heritage and a White English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
mother. She grew up in Kensington
Kensington, Liverpool
Kensington is an inner city area of Liverpool, England. It is located immediately to the east of Liverpool city centre, and is bordered by Everton to the north, Fairfield to the east and Edge Hill to the south....
, Liverpool, and started singing and performing from the age of 12 in the Starlight Show Group. Hamilton also attended St. Sebastians Catholic Primary School, and then Broughton Hall Technology College, both situated in her home town of Liverpool. Hamilton says she was inspired by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
and Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
. After Heidi Range
Heidi Range
Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
left the early incarnation of Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
, Hamilton was offered the opportunity to replace her and joined in May 1999.
Hamilton decided to take her baby with her on the 2003 tour with Atomic Kitten. However, the group decided to take a lengthy break following the tour. Although they have not made a new album together since 2003, the group reform occasionally for one-off performances.
In 2003 Hamilton was winner of the annual Rear of the Year
Rear of the Year
Rear of the Year is a light-hearted British award for celebrities who are considered to have a notable posterior. It was created by publicity consultant Anthony Edwards and is organised by Rear of the Year Limited.-History:...
award.
After taking time away from music to raise her son, Hamilton made a return to music after appearing on the BBC1 television show, Just the Two of Us, which paired celebrities with recording artists to compete in a duet singing showdown. Eight couples competed before a panel of judges and the voting public. Hamilton was paired with Mark Moraghan
Mark Moraghan
Mark Moraghan is a British actor and singer. He has appeared in many British drama series including Peak Practice and Heartbeat...
, famous for his portrayal of Doctor Owen Davies in Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, and the pair came second. They performed classic songs like "Over the Rainbow
Over the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
" and "Do You Love Me
Do You Love Me
"Do You Love Me" is a 1962 hit single recorded by The Contours for Motown's Gordy Records label. Written and produced by Motown CEO Berry Gordy, Jr., "Do You Love Me?" was the Contours' only Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Notably, the record achieved this feat...
".
Solo career (2006–present)
Hamilton has reportedly been working on solo material in recent years, though nothing has been released as yet. She has been co-writing with Christopher and Anthony GriffithsThe Real People
The Real People, from Liverpool, England, were one of the very first bands to play what is today known as “Britpop”, and have been quoted by Oasis as being one of their major influences...
, Ciaron Bell, among others. Hamilton, under the name "Tash", has also recorded a track with Mischa Daniels called "Round and Round (Take Me Higher)", which samples Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters
Crystal Waters is an American dance music singer and songwriter.-Childhood and young adult life:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Waters is the daughter of Betty and Junior Waters, a famed jazz musician; her great aunt, Ethel Waters, was one of the first African-American vocalists to appear in...
' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)
Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)
"Gypsy Woman " is a house music song by American singer Crystal Waters. It was written by Neal Conway and Waters and is the first single from her 1991 debut album, Surprise...
". The track has been included on the Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
compilation Housexy: The Afterparty.
On 8 May 2009, in an interview given to the Daily Mirror, Hamilton stated that her first solo single was likely to be "Ms. Emotional", a ballad she recorded in the United States last year. In the interview she stated that the album would be released 'around' October 2009. In November 2009, Hamilton appeared on Celebrity Come Dine With Me
Come Dine With Me
Come Dine With Me is a popular Channel 4 television programme shown in the United Kingdom, produced by Granada Television and first broadcast in January 2005. The show has either four or five amateur chefs competing against each other hosting a dinner party for the other contestants...
. Natasha shot the video for 'Ms Emotional' on 30 January 2010 but had to put the release on hold to focus on her third pregnancy.
Hamilton made her pantomime debut when she played the title role in Peter Pan at the Liverpool Empire. It ran from 7 December 2009 until 3 January 2010.
She has now taken over the role of Ms Johnstone in the West End production of Blood Brothers.
Charity work
Since 29 June 2006, Hamilton has embarked on a road safety campaign with Brum and Minister Stephen LadymanStephen Ladyman
Stephen John Ladyman is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for South Thanet from 1997 until 2010.-Early life:...
in order to make the streets safer for children under six years old. When Hamilton was just three years old, she survived being hit by a car and is therefore passionate about making the roads safer for children.
In March 2008 she was one of the many celebrities to be given the title of Yummy Mummy by the UK media. This was used by UK baby charity Tommy’s in a campaign called ‘Give Babies a Helping Hand’.
On 1 November 2008 Hamilton appeared on TV show, All Star Family Fortunes with her husband, dad, sister and uncle. She won £10,000 for the charity Marie Curie.
Personal life
Hamilton dated Fran CosgraveFran Cosgrave
Fran Cosgrave is an Irish nightclub owner, famous for appearing on reality television programmes and being the former Westlife bodyguard.-Biography:Cosgrave won the first season of ITV's Celebrity Love Island reality show in 2005...
, nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
owner and former bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
of Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
. She announced in April 2002 that she was pregnant, but she had no intention of leaving the group and wanted the scheduled 2002 tour to continue. She was featured in the video "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)" with her last duty being the 2002 Party in the Park
Party in the Park
Party in the Park is the generic name given to music concerts organised by various radio stations and local authorities in England and Wales, typically in large parks during the summer.-Leeds' Party in the Park:...
before finally going on maternity leave. On 24 August 2002 she gave birth to a boy, Josh Cosgrave. However, Hamilton and Cosgrave ended their relationship shortly afterwards.
On 31 December 2004, Hamilton gave birth to her second son, Harry Hatcher, whose father is dancer Gavin Hatcher. In July 2005, Hamilton and Hatcher split up and she briefly returned to live with Cosgrave. By February 2006, they had split for a second time.
On 27 September 2006, Hamilton announced her engagement to Riad Erraji. The couple married on 23 November 2007 at Crewe Hall Hotel
Crewe Hall
Crewe Hall is a Jacobean mansion located near Crewe Green, east of Crewe, in Cheshire, England. Described by Nikolaus Pevsner as one of the two finest Jacobean houses in Cheshire, it is listed at grade I...
with both Jenny Frost
Jenny Frost
Jennifer "Jenny" Frost is an English singer, dancer, television presenter and model. She was a member of girl group Precious before replacing Kerry Katona in chart topping band Atomic Kitten from 2001 until they split in 2008. Frost presented makeunder show Snog Marry Avoid? from 2008 to 2011...
and Liz McClarnon
Liz McClarnon
Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical....
present. Hamilton has since said that Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona
Kerry Jayne Elizabeth Katona is an English media personality and singer best known for her television work, predominantly in light entertainment and reality shows. She has also been a pop singer with girl group Atomic Kitten, a magazine columnist, an actress, and the author of ghostwritten books...
was not invited to the wedding as the two of them have drifted too far apart. In January 2008, Hamilton found out she was expecting her third child, but she miscarried after six weeks.
On 14 June 2010, Natasha gave birth to her third son, Alfie Riad Erraji.