Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Episode: Natasha Bedingfield — on feeling the rain on your skin and life lessons from Sia
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Introduction
In this heartfelt episode of Dinner’s on Me, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with renowned British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield over a delightful plant-based meal at Mallow in London’s historic Borough Market. The conversation delves deep into Natasha's personal journey, her music career, and the profound lessons she's learned along the way.
Early Life and Family Influences
Natasha opens up about her upbringing, highlighting the significant impact of her family and cultural background.
“Culturally, New Zealanders, they don't go inside when it rains. Like, they kind of just keep doing what they're doing. And it's a lovely metaphor. Like, just keep going. Just keep being who you are no matter what.”
Natasha Bedingfield [02:54]
She shares anecdotes about her brother, whose early foray into music paved the way for her own career. Natasha credits her brother as the catalyst for her breakthrough, emphasizing the importance of familial support.
“My brother is the one who really knocked the door down for me because he wrote like he. He made music in his bedroom...”
Natasha Bedingfield [05:25]
Navigating Early Success and Challenges
Natasha discusses the highs and lows of her music career, particularly the pressure following her initial success.
“Pocket Full of Sunshine” and “Unwritten” became anthems for many, but managing sudden fame was daunting.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [19:28]
She recounts the struggles with her second album in England, which faced backlash due to misunderstood lyrics.
“We wrote one song, my first album called Size Matters. ... British radio, they banned it on radio too. And they thought it was going to encourage young women to go out and have babies. You're just completely missing the point.”
Natasha Bedingfield [21:05]
Songwriting and Creative Process
Delving into her songwriting, Natasha explains how personal experiences and emotions shape her music.
“I have to write a lot of sad songs to get to the happy ones, to be honest. Like, you just... I write hundreds of songs that don't get used, but I think resonating is the most important thing.”
Natasha Bedingfield [22:19]
She elaborates on the creation of “Unwritten,” a song that began as a birthday gift to her brother but resonated universally.
“The lyric that you were sort of talking about, about the rain is... saying feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you is very powerful.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [18:14]
Personal Life and Motherhood
Natasha reflects on how motherhood has influenced her music and creative outlook.
“I think it's deepened. I think, like, I just don't have any writer's block in anymore. Like, I think it helps you make decisions quicker. Don't you think? You're like, this is my valuable time.”
Natasha Bedingfield [22:46]
She shares the joys and challenges of balancing her career with family life, highlighting the support from her husband.
“I met my husband in Nashville, in the Opryland Mall... We've been together like 18 years.”
Natasha Bedingfield [23:14]
Spirituality and Overcoming Adversity
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Jesse discusses personal loss and spirituality, which Natasha thoughtfully relates to her own experiences.
“There are those questions, like, where are they now? And, like, where is their soul, and how am I gonna stay connected to that person.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [13:22]
Natasha emphasizes the role of faith and community in healing from loss and trauma.
“Doing hard things in life... you really do need prayer and you do need fellowship.”
Natasha Bedingfield [12:26]
LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Representation
As an openly gay woman, Natasha and Jesse discuss the importance of authentic representation in media and music.
“Be an out gay and playing an out gay man on TV... I'm so proud to.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [44:24]
Natasha acknowledges the support from the LGBTQ+ community and how it drives her to remain authentic in her artistry.
“The gay community has just brought so much freedom to me and so many people, because it's just... It's all about authenticity.”
Natasha Bedingfield [44:28]
Social Media and Music’s Evolving Landscape
Natasha shares her reflections on how social media has transformed the music industry, allowing her songs like “Unwritten” to reach new generations.
“It's one of those ones that people remember... People started singing people's songs, like, miming to people.”
Natasha Bedingfield [34:22]
She appreciates platforms like TikTok for fostering diverse communities and keeping her music alive in contemporary culture.
“I actually like TikTok because I feel there are so many different communities on TikTok. There's quite a lot of positivity.”
Natasha Bedingfield [35:04]
Collaborations and Creative Ventures
Natasha discusses her collaborations with artists like Sia, sharing stories of their creative synergy and unreleased projects.
“We wrote some amazing stuff. That never released yet. Not yet.”
Natasha Bedingfield [33:38]
She expresses excitement about potentially releasing a song written with Sia, underscoring the lasting impact of their collaboration.
“It's a huge hit. If I put it out right now, will you? I could.”
Natasha Bedingfield [33:53]
Closing Thoughts
The episode concludes with mutual appreciation as Jesse expresses his admiration for Natasha’s work and her contributions to both music and the LGBTQ+ community.
“I have incredibly supportive parents... they really are wonderful parents.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [42:00]
Natasha thanks Jesse for the meaningful conversation, highlighting the importance of authenticity and support in her journey.
“I'm so glad to do this.”
Natasha Bedingfield [45:14]
Episode Highlights
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Overcoming Early Career Challenges: Natasha’s second album struggles and the pressure to follow up her initial success.
"I was just trying to find the father of their kids... British radio banned it."
Natasha Bedingfield [21:05] -
Impact of Religion on Identity: Both Natasha and Jesse discuss their experiences growing up in religious environments and finding spirituality on their own terms.
"I had a very complicated relationship with organized religion... I found more of a church within myself that feels appropriate and correct."
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [11:27] -
The Power of Community and Authenticity: Emphasis on authentic representation and the supportive role of the LGBTQ+ community in Natasha's life and career.
"The gay community has just brought so much freedom to me and so many people, because it's just... It's all about authenticity."
Natasha Bedingfield [44:28] -
Evolution of Music in the Social Media Era: Natasha reflects on how platforms like YouTube and TikTok have extended the lifespan of her music and connected her with new audiences.
"It was six years after it was released... It's amazing."
Natasha Bedingfield [35:07] -
Creative Collaborations: Insights into Natasha’s collaborations with artists like Sia and the potential release of unreleased songs.
"We wrote some amazing stuff. That never released yet. Not yet."
Natasha Bedingfield [33:38]
Notable Quotes
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“Just keep going. Just keep being who you are no matter what.”
Natasha Bedingfield [02:54] -
“I have to write a lot of sad songs to get to the happy ones.”
Natasha Bedingfield [22:19] -
“You do need prayer and you do need fellowship.”
Natasha Bedingfield [12:26] -
“I'm so proud of Modern Family... These stories will reach people in places that they need to be reached.”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson [40:10]
Conclusion
This episode of Dinner’s on Me offers an intimate glimpse into Natasha Bedingfield’s life, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her unwavering commitment to authenticity in her music and personal identity. Jesse and Natasha’s candid conversation underscores the importance of community, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of music.
For more insightful conversations, subscribe to Dinner’s on Me on Apple Podcasts and join Jesse Tyler Ferguson as he breaks bread with celebrities, delving into their personal and professional lives.