Natalie Imbruglia has revealed her strong Scottish roots, including childhood memories of Highland dancing in a kilt when she was three years old.
The Australian singer, best known for her huge 1997 hit Torn, said her mother’s side of the family can be traced back to Scotland and the Anderson name.
Speaking to STV’s What’s On Scotland, Imbruglia declared: “I’m Scottish”, as she discussed her affinity with the country and memories of learning traditional dances as a young child.
The 51-year-old remembers learning a Highland sword dance and wearing a kilt and dancing shoes while growing up in Australia.
She recalled having early memories of dancing around swords placed on the floor and joked that she might even bring the moves back during a future Scottish concert.
Imbruglia said she has long felt there is a connection between Scottish and Australian people, despite the obvious difference in climate, and believes her family ancestry adds to her affection for Scottish audiences.
Her links with Scotland have also extended throughout her career.
Imbruglia was previously managed by Glaswegian Anne Barrett, who played an important role in establishing her music career in the UK, while one of the key collaborators on her latest album is Scottish songwriter David Sneddon.
Paisley-born Sneddon became a household name after winning BBC talent show Fame Academy in 2002 before moving behind the scenes and establishing himself as a successful songwriter and producer.
Imbruglia described Sneddon as her “good luck charm” and said his enthusiasm had helped introduce her to other writers and producers during the making of her new record.
She also encouraged the Scot to release more music of his own.
Imbruglia’s seventh studio album, Algorithm, was released on 4 September and sees the singer move further into synth-driven and electronic pop while exploring subjects including technology, social media and mental health.
The album reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart and number 15 on the Official Scottish Albums Chart. It also entered the UK Independent Albums Chart at number three.
Imbruglia said the title track was partly inspired by late-night doomscrolling and questions around how much influence social-media algorithms have over people’s lives.
Torn will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027. The song transformed Imbruglia from former Neighbours actress into one of the biggest pop stars of the late 1990s and helped propel her debut album Left of the Middle to global success.