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Teddy Sinclair

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Teddy Sinclair
Sinclair performing at The Bootleg Theater in February 2014
Sinclair performing at The Bootleg Theater in February 2014
Background information
Birth nameNatalia Noemi Cappuccini
Also known as
  • Natalia Kills
  • Natalia Keery-Fisher
  • Natalia Sinclair
  • Verbalicious
  • Verse
  • Verbz
  • The Powder Room
  • Candy Rapper
  • Cruel Youth
Born (1986-08-15) 15 August 1986 (age 38)
Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active1995–present
Labels
Member ofCruel Youth
Spouse
​
(m. 2014)​

Natalia Noemi "Teddy" Sinclair (née Cappuccini; born 15 August 1986)[3] is a British singer-songwriter and actress.[4][5] She has recorded music under various aliases, most famously as Natalia Kills and Verbalicious. She is currently the lead vocalist of the band Cruel Youth, which also releases music under the name The Powder Room.

As Natalia Kills, Sinclair signed a triple joint venture recording contract with will.i.am Music Group, KonLive Distribution and Cherrytree Records to release her debut album, Perfectionist (2011). The album spawned the moderately successful singles "Mirrors" and "Free" (featuring will.i.am), with both singles certified gold by the BVMI. The same year, she co-performed with American EDM duo LMFAO on their hit single "Champagne Showers", which became her most successful recording to date. Although Perfectionist underperformed commercially, its follow up, Trouble (2013) performed slightly better in the United States.[6] She adopted the first name Teddy in 2015 and formed her own band Cruel Youth the following year, with whom she's released the extended play (EP), +30mg (2016).

Outside of her own recordings, Sinclair has written songs for Angel Haze, Madonna, and Rihanna. She received a Grammy Award nomination in 2017 for co-writing Rihanna's single "Kiss It Better". In March 2015, Sinclair and her husband Willy Moon were fired as co-judges from New Zealand X Factor for their harsh comments towards a contestant.[7]

Life and career

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1986–2010: Early life and career beginnings

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Sinclair was born Natalia Noemi Cappuccini in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to a British father of Afro-Jamaican heritage and a Uruguayan mother,[8] and attended Bradford Girls' Grammar School. Her family left Bradford when she was a child and she spent her early years traveling between England, Jamaica and Spain.[9]

She ran away from home when she was 14 and shifted her focus away from acting.[10][11][12][13][14] She has described her teenage years as "degenerate," stating that she tried to set her ex-boyfriend's house on fire while both were in it. She had frequent legal trouble and periodically experienced suicidal depression.[11][15] She was also briefly involved with a religious cult.[16]

She began pursuing a music career and had a significant breakthrough as "Candy Rapper" in 2003, when she won a BBC Radio 1 MC Battle in Leeds.[10] 'Next Big Me,' released under the name Verbalicious, was in the movie Sleepover in 2004.[17] She signed to the UK record company Adventures in Music and released her first single "Don't Play Nice" under the name Verbalicious in February 2005. Sinclair told W that her childhood nickname from her mother was "Verbal" because she talked and sang a lot. She adopted the name and variations of it as her stage name at some points during her career.[18]

In 2007, while writing music for films,[19] she posted Womannequin, a demo she produced and wrote under the name Natalia Cappuccini, to MySpace. The EP received 2 million plays on the website, and she reached the top of the unsigned artists chart.[18] During this time, using the name Verse, she also co-wrote and appeared on "They Talk Shit About Me" by French recording artist M. Pokora and met Guillaume Doubet, who would go on to direct many of her videos, in Paris. Sinclair moved to Los Angeles in 2008. Arriving without money or a place to live, Sinclair "lived out of these motels, bumming around, trying to work with or make songs with anyone who would have me for a couple of hours in the studio". At the time she says she did awful things adding "I was just trying to survive and I was too young to know better."[20] While in L.A., a DJ introduced her to will.i.am after hearing her demo and learning that she did not have a record deal.[21][22] In January 2009 will.i.am signed her to his record label, will.i.am Music Group.[19] "We had a really good creative chemistry," she said in a 2011 Billboard interview.[23]

2010–2014: Perfectionist, Trouble, and marriage

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Natalia Kills at the Neidklub in Hamburg in 2010.

Sinclair adopted the stage name Natalia Kills from the interjection "you killed it!",[24] after her record company advised her that her legal name, "Natalia Cappuccini", was "indescribable."[19] Kills released her debut album Perfectionist in Germany in April 2011 following the release of her first single, "Mirrors", which hit the German Top 10. The album was described as a concept album by Sinclair, claiming that everybody is a perfectionist.[25] The album was accompanied by four singles, "Mirrors", "Wonderland", "Free" and "Kill My Boyfriend". Through 2010 and 2011 Sinclair opened for Kelis, Robyn, Kesha, Katy Perry and the Black Eyed Peas over various tours.[18][24][26] Sinclair was featured in LMFAO's single, "Champagne Showers," and in Junior Caldera's single "Lights Out (Go Crazy)".[27]

On 14 September 2012 Sinclair unveiled the video for "Controversy" to start promotion of her second studio album, Trouble. The album was centered on her troubled childhood.[28] Sinclair attended an after-party for the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, held on 25 August 2013 in Brooklyn, New York City, where she performed various songs from Trouble. Two days later, "Outta Time" was released as the album's second promotional recording free of charge in a Polydor Records newsletter,[29] coinciding with the US release of Trouble.[30] Trouble was officially released on 3 September 2013 as a digital download in the United States and Canada.[31]

Sinclair married singer Willy Moon on 23 May 2014 in New York City.[32]

2015: The X Factor New Zealand

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It was announced in late 2014 that Sinclair and Moon would be featured as judges and mentors the following year on season 2 of the New Zealand version of The X Factor, serving as the mentors of the Boys and Groups categories respectively. During the first live show, in a highly publicized scandal which Sinclair described as a "publicity stunt [she] couldn't defend [herself] against due to a wide-reaching legal gagging order",[33] the two made scathing remarks towards contestant Joe Irvine.[7] Sinclair described Irvine as a doppelganger over his alleged copying of Moon's hairstyle and dress sense, deeming him "cheesy" and "disgusting".[34] The comments led to widespread condemnation on social media, including a petition to have Sinclair and Moon fired from the show, which reportedly received over 70,000 signatures within 24 hours.[35] The show's sponsors, franchise owner and judges Melanie Blatt and Stan Walker also voiced disapproval of the incident, and Moon and Sinclair were both fired from the show the next day.[36] Sinclair was replaced by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, a former judge on the Australian version of the show, while Moon was replaced by Shelton Woolright.

After she was fired from The X Factor, it was revealed in the media that Sinclair had left her record label, Cherrytree Records, shortly before appearing on the show.[37][38] Sinclair confirmed to Billboard that while she was no longer signed to Cherrytree, she was still with Interscope Records at the time, though she later left them too.[39]

2016–present: Cruel Youth and other ventures

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In early 2016, Sinclair started a band, Cruel Youth, with her husband Moon.[40] The band's first song, "Mr. Watson", was released on Soundcloud in February, followed by "Diamond Days" in April, which was also released on iTunes. Their third single, "Hatefuck", was released in early September, along with the release of their debut EP, +30mg, on 16 September 2016.[41] In 2015 Sinclair also co-wrote Rihanna's song "Kiss It Better", which went on to a Grammy nomination the following year.[42]

In 2018, Cruel Youth released the singles "Devil in Paradise" and "Portrait of a Female".[43]

In 2020, Sinclair collaborated with Cyndi Lauper for the Apple+ TV show Central Park on a song called "Rats".[44]

In 2022, Sinclair and Moon received songwriting credits for "The Happiest Girl" on Blackpink's Born Pink[45] album and released the single "Mr. Badman" in 2022 as part of the soundtrack for The Invitation.[46][better source needed]

In 2023, Cruel Youth released the single "Sunny", a cover of the same-titled song by Bobby Hebb.

In 2024, the band is expected to release their debut studio album.

Style and influences

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Sinclair has mentioned Kate Bush and Alanis Morissette as her most important musical influences, describing them as emotional artists "who write honestly about their opinions and experiences."[47] The singer also stated she considered Gwen Stefani, who is a musical and stylistic inspiration, as her "hero",[48] adding that Prince, Vanity 6, and Freddie Mercury have already inspired her during live performances.[24] Sinclair explores music that is both confessional and bold when looking for inspiration, she reveals: "I don't listen to music to let go, I listen to dive in", listing Hole, Marilyn Manson, and Eminem among her favorite artists and bands with whom she grew up.[49] According to Jon O'Brien of AllMusic, Sinclair gradually composed a musical tone incorporating "the theatrical dance-pop of Lady Gaga, 1940s film noir, and the electro-gloom of Depeche Mode."[50]

Discography

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Main article: Teddy Sinclair discography
See also: List of songs recorded by Teddy Sinclair

Tours

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Notes
a This 58 dates promotional tour started on 24 June 2011 in Paris and ended on 22 November 2011 in Vancouver, Canada.
b This promotional tour took place in Russia.
c This promotional tour took place in the United States.
d This tour was performed with other artists from the same record label.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 New Voices Pearl Episode: "The Treasure of Zavimbi"
2002–2004 All About Me Sima Main cast
2003 Casualty Samina Khan Episode: "Stuck in the Middle with You"
2003 Coronation Street Laura Mangen 2 episodes
2004 Doctors Hazel Perry Episode: "A Decisive Moment"
2004 Blue Murder Anisa Khan Episode: "Fragile Relations"
2005 No Angels Sujata Series 2, episode 7
2006 Silent Witness Kelly Wetherby Episode: "Supernova: Part 1"
2006 Tripping Over Julie 2 episodes
2007 Cape Wrath Kerry Episode: "Pilot"
2015 The X Factor Judge Series 2; auditions – live shows 1
Radio
Year Title Role Notes
2003 One Thousand Days, One Thousand Nights Jyoti Afternoon Play
2003 Tarnished Wings Jen Afternoon Play
2003 The Archers Amy Franks[51] Main cast
Web
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Love, Kills XX Herself Web series; 10 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Work Category Result
2005 Popjustice £20 Music Prize "Don't Play Nice" Best British Pop Single Nominated
2011 Eska Music Awards Herself International New Face Won
2013 MP3 Music Awards "Saturday Night" The BFV Award Won
2014 "Trouble" The MIC Award Nominated
2017 Grammy Awards "Kiss It Better" Best R&B Song (as songwriter) Nominated

References

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  1. ^ O'Brien, John. "Natalia Kills". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  2. ^ Villagomez, Andrew (11 March 2013). "LISTEN: Natalia Kills' 'Problem'". Out. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  3. ^ Michael, Michael Love (12 December 2018). "Most Misunderstood: Teddy Sinclair Is Finally Free". Paper. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  4. ^ Kletnoy, Sergio (15 August 2013). "MC@Play: Natalia Kills". Marie Claire. New York City. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  5. ^ Slenske, Michael (July 2011). "Five Minutes with Natalia Kills". W. New York City. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  6. ^ Fletcher, Harry (7 July 2015). "Natalia Kills changes her name to Teddy Sinclair". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Pressure on TV3 after X Factor judges Willy Moon and Natalia Kills humiliate contestant on live TV". New Zealand Herald. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  8. ^ Belz, Leigh (1 December 2010). "Natalia Kills on Her Album Perfectionist and Lady Gaga". Teen Vogue. New York City. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  9. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (8 August 2013). "Natalia Kills Gets Real on 'Trouble' Album: 'I Wanted To Confront Who I Am Head-On'". Billboard. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  10. ^ a b Clayton, Emma (7 April 2006). "Natalia's rapping delight". Telegraph and Argus. Bradford, West Yorkshire. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  11. ^ a b Stoeffel, Kat (31 October 2012). "Natalia Kills Wants to Watch You Watch Her Do 'Horrible Things'". New York. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  12. ^ Caterinella, Alex (20 November 2013). "How To Be a Popstar With Natalia Kills". Style Icon. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  13. ^ Fairfax NZ News (22 November 2013). "Natalia Kills has a guilty mind". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  14. ^ Corner, Lewis (7 August 2013). "Natalia Kills interview: 'I thought I would be dead by now'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  15. ^ Swaggerblog Staff (Fall 2013). "Exclusive: Natalia Kills Wears The Best In Fall Fashion, Causes "Trouble" With Her Sophomore Album". Swagger New York. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  16. ^ Breslin, Yale (11 September 2013). "Natalia Kills: Bad Girl. Big Trouble". Life + Times. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  17. ^ https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0368975/soundtrack/?ref_=tt_trv_snd [user-generated source]
  18. ^ a b c Slenske, Michael (15 August 2011). "Five Minutes With Natalia Kills: Editors' Blog". W. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Natalia Kills: Interview". Gigwise. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  20. ^ Chunks, Rebecca (Fall 2013). "Exclusive Interview: Natalia Kills". MKR Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  21. ^ Shoonmaker, Vaughn (16 November 2010). "Natalia Kills Hooks Up With Will.i.am For 'Dark Pop' Debut". MTV News. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. ^ "Interview with...Natalia Kills!". MuuMuse. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  23. ^ Chapman, Alex (13 July 2011). "Natalia Kills on Will.i.am, Bill Clinton, Her 'F—k You Pop'". Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  24. ^ a b c "Natalia Kills Interview". MVRemix. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  25. ^ "Natalia Kills – Music Interview". Digital Spy. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  26. ^ "Ke$ha Confirms Special Guests LMFAO For 'Get Sleazy' UK Tour & Tickets". Stereoboard. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  27. ^ "iTunes – Music – Lights Out (Go Crazy) [feat. Natalia Kills & Far East Movement] – Single by Junior Caldera". iTunes Store (US). 13 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  28. ^ Lansky, Sam (3 September 2013). "Natalia Kills' 'Trouble': Album Review". Idolator.
  29. ^ "Natalia Kills". Polydor Records (France). 27 August 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  30. ^ "iTunes – Music – Outta Time – Single by Natalia Kills". iTunes Store (US). 3 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  31. ^ "Trouble: Amazon.ca: Music". Amazon (Canada). Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  32. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Natalia Kills Announces Marriage to Willy Moon + Exclusive Photos". bbook.com. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  33. ^ "Natalia Kills opens up about X-Factor 'publicity stunt'". Stuff. 25 February 2016.
  34. ^ Downes, Siobhan (16 March 2015). "X Factor: Bullying outcry over Natalia Kills attack". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  35. ^ "X Factor judges Natalia Kills, Willy Moon sacked". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  36. ^ Beswick, Angela (16 March 2015). "Natalia Kills, Willy Moon fired from X Factor NZ". TV3. Retrieved 16 March 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ "Axed X Factor judge Natalia Kills no longer has a record deal". NZ Herald. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  38. ^ "Natalia Kills already dropped from her label prior to 'X Factor' sacking". NME. 18 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  39. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (19 March 2015). "Natalia Kills Speaks To Billboard: 'Sometimes TV Producers Plan Drama For Ratings'". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  40. ^ "Buzz Alert! Teddy Sinclair is back with Cruel Youth – new EP out on 09.16 — New York City". Nyc.thedelimagazine.com. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  41. ^ "+30mg by Cruel Youth". iTunes Store (GB). 16 September 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  42. ^ Wass, Mike (8 July 2015). "Natalia Kills (Now Known As Teddy Sinclair) Is Writing Songs For Rihanna's 'R8' LP And Starting A Band". Idolator. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Cruel Youth – Portrait of a Female". Euphoriazine.com. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  44. ^ Dee, Jack (27 June 2021). "Apple+ TV's Central Park: The 10 Best Songs From Season 1". Screen Rant. Valnet Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  45. ^ Kroll, Charlotte (7 September 2022). "BLACKPINK share tracklist for new album 'Born Pink'". NME. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  46. ^ Cruel Youth – Mr. Badman (From 'The Invitation' Movie Soundtrack End Credits) [Official Audio]. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Pamela (14 August 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Natalia Kills Speaks to GTS". Girlstalkinsmack.com.
  48. ^ Kills, Natalia [@NataliaKills] (17 April 2012). "@gagas_lil_hobo Gwen Stefani is my hero..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ "Natalia Kills – Homepage". NataliaKills.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  50. ^ O'Brien, John. "Natalia Kills | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  51. ^ BBC Press Office (1 August 2003). "New vicar in The Archers". Retrieved 15 January 2017.
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