Natasha Bedingfield has revealed what inspired her to write her hit track Unwritten, while hitting out at ‘controlling’ record companies as she appeared on the cover of FAULT Magazine’s December issue.

The singer, 43, released the critically acclaimed and enduringly popular tune exactly 20 years ago and admitted that after two decades the song is ‘even more meaningful for me’.

Unwritten received a surge of popularity among the new generations last year, after it featured prominently in Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s 2023 film Anyone But You, before spreading like wildfire over TikTok.

Reflecting on Unwritten’s legacy, Natasha divulged the sweet origin story of the track, explaining it had been a gift for her little brother Joshua.

She recalled: ‘My younger brother was 14, and I was away writing my album. I didn’t have a present for him, so I thought I’d just write him a song. 

‘Now, 20 years later, the song has become even more meaningful for me. I’ve sung it so many times and realised that, really, I wrote it for you—it’s like giving your best advice to others, but it turns out to be advice I’ve taken on board as well.’

Natasha Bedingfield has revealed what inspired her to write her hit track Unwritten, while hitting out at ‘controlling’ record companies as she appeared on the cover of FAULT Magazine’ s December issue

The singer, 43, released the critically acclaimed and enduringly popular tune exactly 20 years ago and admitted that after two decades the song is ‘even more meaningful for me 

Unwritten received a surge of popularity among the new generations last year, after it featured prominently in Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell ‘s 2023 film Anyone But You, before spreading like wildfire over TikTok 

The pop star admitted she knew the song was ‘special’ as she wrote it, adding: ‘Sometimes there were moments in the studio where it felt like the heavens opened and you just got kind of imparted with something.’

While Natasha said she ‘loved’ the fact the song has resonated with Gen Z in the past year, saying: ‘It feels like I’ve gone back in time. It’s as if it has always been the same age every time. Everyone sings along with so much pᴀssion, and I’m just loving it and feeling the joy.’

However, she confessed that her thoughts around the song had changed in the decades since as record companies had been very ‘controlling’ about her image at the start of her career.

She explained: ‘Twenty years on, my perspective on [Unwritten] is entirely different. For instance, today during a pH๏τoshoot, I feel like I’m really releasing my inhibitions. I didn’t realise how much, especially 20 years ago, record companies could be controlling about how they wanted you to look. 

‘My label wanted me to be the ‘girl next door,’ so I’m really enjoying having more creative freedom now. It keeps bringing me back to this idea: it’s all art. Music is art, the body is art, and fashion is art. That’s cool.’

Natasha hails from a famously musical family, with her older brother being Daniel Bedingfield and their younger sister Nikita also being a singer .

Daniel, 44, achieved huge success in the earlier Noughties with his hit tracks Gotta Get Thru This, If You’re Not the One and Never Gonna Leave Your Side, and scoring nominations at the Grammys and BRIT Awards.

Releasing her triple platinum debut album just a couple of years later, Natasha faced a lot comparison to Daniel, but insisted that rather than faze her, she quite enjoyed it.

Reflecting on Unwritten’s legacy, Natasha divulged the sweet origin story of the track, explaining it had been a gift for her little brother Joshua (pictured)

However, she confessed that her thoughts around the song had changed in the decades since as record companies had been very ‘controlling’ about her image at the start of her career.

The pop star admitted she knew the song was ‘special’ as she wrote it and ‘loves’ the fact the song has resonated with Gen Z in the past year

Natasha hails from a famously musical family, with her older brother being Daniel Bedingfield and their younger sister Nikita also being a singer (L-R Joshua, Natasha, mother Molly, father John, Nikola and Daniel in 2005)

Daniel, 44, achieved huge success in the earlier Noughties with his hit tracks Gotta Get Thru This, If You’re Not the One and Never Gonna Leave Your Side, and scoring nominations at the Grammys and BRIT Awards (pictured in April)

Releasing her triple platinum debut album just a couple of years later, Natasha faced a lot comparison to Daniel, but insisted that rather than faze her, she quite enjoyed it

She said: ‘I actually love being underestimated. It’s been a recurring theme in my life. People write me off, saying, “Oh, she’s just the sister of a great singer” – and my brother is incredible – or they’ll think, “You’re just this,” or “You’re too young,” or “You’re too old.” I welcome it. I think, “Really? Interesting.” I enjoy proving people wrong.’

Embracing her recent resurgence, Natasha has performed at a number of gigs across the UK and US over the past year, after enjoying life as a songwriter for other artists.

Over the summer, she appeared at TRNSMT, Victorious Festival, The Big Feastival – where she duetted with Becky Hill –  and the People’s Choice Awards.

While she also was a special guest on Meghan Trainor’s The Timeless Tour in North America last month and sent fans wild as she made a surprise appearance at the Capital Summertime Ball.

Speaking of her performance, the singing sensation quipped: ‘I love that my songs are resonating with new and younger audiences. 

‘It was such a joy to sing both these songs and to surprise Capital’s Summertime Ball with a special choir rendition during the Barclaycard Out of the Blue moment.

‘I always think of an arena or stadium full of people singing when I write my songs. I try and write songs a crowd will want to sing. 

‘This isn’t just a resurgence for me – it’s a coming home. It was such a special moment to have my family in the audience seeing the whole audience burst into song with me.’

Embracing her recent resurgence, Natasha has performed at a number of gigs across the UK and US over the past year, after enjoying life as a songwriter for other artists (pictured August)

Over the summer, she performed at TRNSMT, Victorious Festival, The Big Feastival and the People’s Choice Awards and sent fans wild as she made a surprise appearance at the Capital Summertime Ball (pictured)