● 03/13/09 – (HSM Contest) Concert at Seton High

On Friday, international pop singer and Grammy nominee Natasha Bedingfield gave a private concert to the 550-girl Catholic school as part of a prize package promoting Disney’s “High School Musical 3″ movie.

She was the fourth major star to visit the school in recent years.

Bedingfield, who also performed Thursday night in Newport, belted out many of her most popular tunes in Seton’s performance theater, including “Pocketful of Sunshine,” “These Words” and “Unwritten.”

Seton beat out 3,636 other schools in a national “school spirit” contest last fall that involved showing their devotion to “High School Musical.”

The Seton girls launched an all-out online campaign, texting their votes daily, photographing themselves with movie posters and videotaping school staff singing the movie’s songs.

In addition to the concert, Seton’s seniors won a trip to Disney World in April.

The sea of cheering, waving, shouting girls held up hundreds of cell phones, shooting video and photos as they sang nearly every word back to Bedingfield.

Afterward, they asked her questions about her experiences, taught her a cheer and gave her a pair of pajamas.

Bedingfield, 27, bonded with the girls, advising them against letting people deflect them from their dreams.

“When you have a dream, people think they’re trying to protect you and say ‘Don’t bother,’ ” she said.

“But they can steal your hope. You’ve got to get blinders on, and don’t let the negative things get you down.”

Bedingfield, who is from England, got her start singing Christian music and performing with her sister and brother in Europe.

With two solo CD’s selling more than 10 million copies, Bedingfield says her musical influences are Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, the Cranberries and Bjork.

She also told the girls about an old teacher who encouraged her and her classmates to write stories, poetry and songs.

“One of the most influential places for me was the church,” she said.

“That was where you learn to sing with your soul. You learn music is about more than just yourself.”

Last year, she got engaged to California businessman Matt Robinson but says her wedding plans are secret. She has been touring the United States and other countries for about two years.

“At first, I was star-struck,” said Courtni Nicolaci, a senior who asked her questions and later got an autograph.

“She was so nice and personable, down for anything. I didn’t feel like I was talking to a star; I felt like I was talking to her.”

Also visiting the school Friday was Justin Martin, one of the stars in “High School Musical.”

He introduced Bedingfield and played a trivia game with the girls. One of the students asked him to the prom, but the Atlanta 14-year-old offered to send her flowers instead.

Q102 partnered with Disney in the contest and concert. Last October, Q102 helped bring 2008 “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta to Seton to thank the girls for raising $3,000 in pennies for cancer research.

In the past decade, ‘N Sync and Ashlee Simpson also have performed at Seton.

Source

Check out some new cadids of Natasha arriving at Lax aiport on Monday.

● 03/09/09 – Natasha Bedingfield arrives at LAX airport ahead of her flight to New York

Natasha recently chatted to US news channel CNN about two of her biggest passions – music and fashion!

I also find some videos of Natasha’s perfomances and interviews. Check out:

Live @ KBAY – San Jose – 03/05/09

Unwritten

Pocketfull Of Sunshine

This Love (Maroon 5 Cover)

Soulmate

These Words

Natasha Bedingfield Exposed

Soulamte perfomance

Interview

Natasha Bedingfield Finds Love in America

Natasha Bedingfield talks about Chris Brown And Rihanna

Natasha Bedingfield @ WKRQ 101.9

I just added some new pictures of Natasha’s perfomance @ WKRQ 101.9 (Cincinnati, OH) and WXMA 102.3 (Louisville, KY at Hard Rock Cafe) on Thursday . Check out

● 03/12/09 – WKRQ 101.9

VIDEOS HERE

● 03/12/09 – WXMA 102.3

ps. the radio tour finished yesterday

I just added some new pictures of Natasha’s perfomance @ WPJL 95.5 (New York City, NY) on Tuesday. Check out

● 03/09/09 – WPJL 95.5

The first part of a local high school’s prize for winning an online contest will be arriving Friday.

Singer Natasha Bedingfield will perform for the students of Seton High School on Friday afternoon. The concert is part of a prize package the students received for winning the national Disney High School Musical 3 School Spirit Contest.The school beat out more than 3,000 other schools to win.In April, the school’s senior class will take a free trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Natasha Bedingfield is showing her support for cancer research and Stand Up to Cancer by participating in an online auction to raise funds for the cause. Through March 19, fans can bid on an autographed copy of Paris Hilton’s Fairy Dust perfume, signed by Natasha and other stars, including Lady Gaga, Paramore, Katy Perry, David Archuleta, Gossip Girl’s Amanda Setton and others. You can find the auction on eBay here: http://snurl.com/dglsg

100% of proceeds benefit Stand Up To Cancer, an organization that aims to attack cancer once and for all by pushing promising scientific breakthroughs to the finish.

Thanks Kathleen Bush for the news

The U.S. has embraced her music (her latest album, “Pocketful of Sunshine,” reached gold status). She’s getting married in the next few months (to California businessman Matt Robinson). And major designers want to dress her (Vera Wang is making “the dress”).

Add to that: She’s gorgeous. And nice. So nice that you feel a little sad to see her leave when the interview is over.

Bedingfield is part of a wave of female singers from across the pond who are making a big splash Stateside. There’s the sweet Leona Lewis, Welsh crooner Duffy and soulster Adele, who won best new artist at the Grammys last month. That’s not to mention last year’s best new artist winner, Amy Winehouse.

“America is so open to what’s happening in other countries right now,” Bedingfield says. “I’m British and from New Zealand so I’m kind of representing both countries, which is nice. And I feel proud, like [with] Adele winning. … I feel really proud.”

“I love coming to New York for Fashion Week. I pick up new ideas and pay homage to some of my favorite designers,” she said.

Bedingfield joined CNN to talk about those designers, describe her sense of style and discuss how the next album is shaping up. The following is an edited version of the interview:

CNN: Tell me about your latest single, “Soulmate.”

Natasha Bedingfield: “Soulmate” is actually one of the first singles I wrote on this album. It was inspired by reading a book called “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.” And the book is just all about how men and women are different and how we kind of have to explain to each other, because we’re speaking in a different language — how to love in the way that we need it.

CNN: In the song, you’re looking for Mr. Right, yet in real life you have found Mr. Right.

Bedingfield: Well, I wrote that song before I met Mr. Right. My first single ever was actually a single called “Single,” all about being single — a bit of a tongue twister there — like celebrating that stage of life. And I felt like on that next album I wanted to give part two to that. The whole album really is about relationships.

CNN: So what does that mean for the next album?

Bedingfield: Ah! The next album. Well, you know I’m getting married very soon. …

CNN: Congratulations.

Bedingfield: Thank you. So the next album … I don’t know what it’s going to be about yet. I like to choose a theme and keep the songs in that, but I’m very excited.

CNN: Haven’t you started working on it already? You were doing some writing in New Zealand.

Bedingfield: I did. I wrote a lot in New Zealand. That’s where my family comes from, so whenever I go back there I get inspired and get in touch with nature and use it as a chance to start writing. I also wrote on a bus called the Lennon bus. It’s a charity that Yoko Ono started. It’s got a studio on the bus, and it’s all about teaching kids how to use the studio. So I did a little writing on there as well with some kids. It was cool.

CNN: Who are some of your favorite designers?

Bedingfield: I love a lot of the British designers actually. Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood.

CNN: Have you always been into fashion?

Bedingfield: Always. Even when I was a kid. I went out and got a job early on, probably minimum wage so that I could spend extra on — you know, your parents just buy you like classics, right — so I could go and get my own little cool things.

CNN: How would you describe your style?

Bedingfield: A little eclectic, a little sophisticated and somewhere in between really. [I like] clothes that make you feel good, fabrics that are nice and feminine. But with a tiny bit of masculinity in there as well just to edge it up.

CNN: The fashion world is so different from the music world. What is the main difference there? You get to dabble in both worlds.

Bedingfield: Well, it’s interesting, because the worlds seem like they’re getting closer and closer because a lot of artists end up having modeling contracts. It’s actually quite a happy working thing. I feel like as an artist you get a chance to stamp your own personality on the clothes that you wear. And what you wear reflects on who you are. A model … they’re kind of more like a coat hanger for the designer. And I love the fact that designers and artists are working together because we end up creating something very unique.

CNN: Do you get lots of free clothes?

Bedingfield: I do. It’s one of the perks of my job.

CNN: That’s not fair.

Bedingfield: Yeah, I love it.

CNN: How do the Brits feel about all these British singers who are doing so well in the U.S.? Do they feel proud when their artists make it overseas? Is there a bit of possessiveness?

Bedingfield: I think that with every country if someone leaves home you get worried that they’re going to forget about you. It’s important not to forget about where you’re from and your roots, and so I’m conscious of that and make sure that people know how grateful [I am] and that I am coming home.

I’m not away forever. I’ve been touring all over the States this year: two major tours; my album went gold and it’s great. But really there is no place like home.

CNN: What is the biggest difference between touring in the U.S. and the UK?

Bedingfield: Well, the U.S. is a lot bigger. But it’s not really a big difference. An audience is an audience. I guess you could hear different accents singing your songs back.

I just added some new pictures of Natasha’s perfomance @ MyFm 104.3 (Los Angeles, CA) today. Check out

● 03/09/09 – MyFm 104.3

Natasha will be @ New York tomorrow

NB U.S Radio Tour 2009 just started and we got some hot pictures from STAR 101.3 (San Francisco) and Mix 94.1 (Las Vegas). Check out

● 03/06/09 – Star 101.3

● 03/07/09 – Mix 94.1

By the way, Soulmate is currently #3 in Mix 94.1 most requested

To see more dates, go to Natasha’s Official MySpace.