Life’s biggest achievement- Being able to do what I'm most passionate about. That to me is my greatest achievement ever! The rest are ALL secondary to me.
Life’s motto-
Treat others like you want to be treated in return.
You are never too old when it comes to learning something new.
There are no mistakes but only life lessons in life's journey.
She defines the word ‘entertainer’ to its maximum – starting off as a model and being a singing sensation at present.
Natasha has redefined entertainment with her electric energy and her ability to grab the attention of many, thanks to her beauty and vigour.
With her new music video in the pipeline, Team Life Online met up with her for an informal chat!
Natasha, you are one of the most inspiring, beautiful young singers in Sri Lanka. In a nutshell tell us how you came into the scene??
Firstly, I'm truly humbled to hear one say that about me as I've never done anything to toot my own horn but purely to survive and self-grow in the gifts and abilities God's given me as a human being.
I started modelling at a very early age as a 15 or 16 year old and it was around the same time that I took to singing professionally as well.
To cut a very long story short - how it all began was when I was looking for an apartment to move in to.
While signing the agreement the landlady, very casually asked me if I knew of any good female vocalists to join a then popular band named Dream Team as the present female vocalist was leaving the country.
Sheer desperation calls for brave and gutsy decisions I'd say... so I told her that I had no official voice training or any sort of professional training but had sung all my life in church and school choirs and maybe that would suffice for me to audition?
She, without batting an eyelid, encouraged me saying "Yes Natasha, you should. The auditions are next week.. Who knows what may happen?" Having got her approval and encouragement, I went for the audition the following week and the rest, as they say, is history.
It’s been one experience after another that has bought me to the place I am in today. It’s been a very long journey with much hardships along the way but I'm truly grateful and blessed by all of it as it has taught me so much and made me the person I am today and I wouldn't trade that for anything in this world.
I’ve seen the making of your new video, and I loved the backstage pics. Tell us why you chose Mount Lavinia and the other lovely locations in the island as opposed to some place aboard?
Speaking from a true Sri Lankan perspective, who is proud of her birth place, my question to you is ‘why shouldn't I choose locations in SL?’ We've got some of the most amazing places and not to mention some of the best beaches in the world and Mount Lavinia is pretty much like second home to me.. That's where I started my first gig as a singer/ entertainer and this hotel holds so many sentimental value and reasons in addition to being one of the most beautiful colonial hotels in SL. The management and staff have always been so kind and endearing to me and my family from the inception. So, why not?
If you hadn’t been inspired to be a singer, what would you have been?
Truth be told, I can't think of myself as being anything other than being a singer or entertainer as that’s all I know and I've always loved and respected the performing arts no matter how small the industry here is.
But if I ever wasn’t a musician I'd most definitely be a psychology, a humanitarian of some kind as I've always been fascinated by people, their behaviour and just to be able to study the subject in an in-depth way would give options to help humanity in general. Cliché as it sounds it is the truth.
I was watching this interview of Priyanka Chopra, where she says her life is not about the money or being famous – but about being great. So what’s your ultimate goal in life?
I relate to her statement or her thought process wholeheartedly.
I'm a firm believer of doing something one is passionate about wholeheartedly. If not what's the point? What good is it to anyone? Never do anything out of obligation. It will take you nowhere but tick off a box on your 'to do list' for that day".
I also believe in "completion" no matter how long it takes. My ultimate goal in life is to do whatever I am doing in that moment in time to the best of my ability, giving it all I've got!!! That to me is happiness!
Do you believe your sense of style and your glamorous looks contributed to your success as a singer?
As shallow and pretentious as it sounds, yes that's "just ONE" of the things that seemed to have gone in my favour.. but without God's favour, blessing, hard work and my support group in my life, I doubt I would have been able to achieve half the things I've achieved today.
So it's all in one combo I'd say and I've got a long, long more way to go as a singer, performer, dancer, and most importantly a human being and I'd like people to appreciate me for my talent than for my looks as one day it will be gone..
Chaminda - I did not know that you knew Jennifer Lopez personally, to make such and intimate comment about her. Natasha does not have any resemblance to
Beyonce.
Chaminda - How on earth could you call J-Lo a fake, when its a known fact that she is one of the few in the Entertainment Industry who has NOT gone "under the knife" for any surgical enhancements. J-Lo is still a powerhouse in the entertainment industry for a number of years as an American actress, dancer, entrepreneur, fashion designer, film producer, philanthropist and singer. Its asinine to call her fake.
You are a beautifull lad and your voixw is very beautiful too, but one advice if you may take, if you dress up decent ly without revelaing your body too much, then I guess you will have much respect. If your voice is good, looks aer there, if you can dance, why do you want to attrract anyone showing off our body? Did you try to take part in miss worlld cmpetition?
Now here is one talented young lady I am proud to say has it all and could be the next biggest thing on this planet...What more can I say that the 'Sherif's' have done it again and made us all proud to be Sri Lankan. Go Natasha!
0 Comments
Gamarala says:
Feb 12, 2013 at 12:00 amAttractive young lady. Sri Lanka version of Jennifer Lopez.
nicky karunarathna says:
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:00 amWhat is Jennifer - this the one! Is she married?
MAHESHE says:
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:00 amYap !!!!!!!! Dedicated almost ????????????
welwisher says:
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:00 amoh sexy.... u seems like thse set of photos a lot to promot urselt
Naren Senaratna says:
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:00 amWow! You are awesome Natasha Rathnayaka ...
Naren Senaratna says:
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:00 amWow! You are awesome Natasha Rathnayaka ...
Chaminda says:
Feb 14, 2013 at 12:00 amJennifer Lopez is all fake, Natasha is the SL version of Beyonce :D
Gamarala says:
Feb 15, 2013 at 12:00 amChaminda - I did not know that you knew Jennifer Lopez personally, to make such and intimate comment about her. Natasha does not have any resemblance to Beyonce.
Gabo Singho says:
Feb 15, 2013 at 12:00 amChaminda - How on earth could you call J-Lo a fake, when its a known fact that she is one of the few in the Entertainment Industry who has NOT gone "under the knife" for any surgical enhancements. J-Lo is still a powerhouse in the entertainment industry for a number of years as an American actress, dancer, entrepreneur, fashion designer, film producer, philanthropist and singer. Its asinine to call her fake.
Sayan JD says:
Feb 19, 2013 at 12:00 amVery Impressive Natasha, keep it up :)
cassim says:
Feb 21, 2013 at 12:00 amhi,,,,,,,succees,,,,,,,,hrad work,,,,,,,,,,,,truyl Beautifull
Arden Forster (The Hezonites) says:
Feb 22, 2013 at 12:00 amWhere is Alston Koch when he is needed. this girl deserves to be promoted to greater heights so that the rest of the world can share her attributes
Pubudu B. says:
Feb 23, 2013 at 12:00 amYou are a beautifull lad and your voixw is very beautiful too, but one advice if you may take, if you dress up decent ly without revelaing your body too much, then I guess you will have much respect. If your voice is good, looks aer there, if you can dance, why do you want to attrract anyone showing off our body? Did you try to take part in miss worlld cmpetition?
Alston Koch says:
Feb 23, 2013 at 12:00 amNow here is one talented young lady I am proud to say has it all and could be the next biggest thing on this planet...What more can I say that the 'Sherif's' have done it again and made us all proud to be Sri Lankan. Go Natasha!