Growing up with a passion for music and acting, Natalie Bassingthwaighte always wondered where she got it from. So when she was asked to appear on Who Do You Think You Are?, she “jumped at the chance”.
WATCH Natalie Bassingthwaite: I don’t let my kids win games
And, she was thrilled to discover one big family secret. “I found out I have a Von Trapp family, before the Von Trapps!” she tells New Idea. Here she chats more about her discovery…
Why do you think learning about family history is so important?
It really helps us as humans to discover, not just our own family, but other people’s families as well. It gives an understanding of how people do live and how they’ve survived insane situations.
Performance and music really runs in your family. Why was it important for you to learn that?
When I did find that out, I felt like I did belong and that I was meant to be doing this. I’ve always wondered why I’m surrounded by accountants – I felt like such an anomaly. It runs through my blood. Discovering that my ancestors loved performing and music really gave me a sense of knowing I’m in the right space.
Do you think your kids, Harper and Hendrix, will follow in your footsteps?
They’re both very talented. I don’t know whether they will or they won’t. Hendrix is really great at all sports, and he also plays the guitar. He now wants to learn the drums, and he says he’s now the lead singer in his band at school, which is very cute.
And Harper – it’s just in every core of her body. She is funny, witty and very charismatic. She’s always on show and such a cute dancer – a really cool dancer. But she doesn’t want to do drama class or dance class.
She’s very definitive that she doesn’t want to. But I’m telling you, performance is in every core of her body.
Your family moved from Melbourne to Byron Bay last year. How is that going?
They’re so happy. It’s such a beautiful way to live. There’s lots of time spent outdoors. Most days it’s quite sunny, and there’s a beautiful community here.
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