Monday June 18, 2007
Nice work, Natasha
By AZHARIAH KAMIN
Natasha Hudson gets all creative and launches, not one, but two poetry books.
SHE’S barely 25, and her achievements are what most of us only dream about. Arguably the new “it” girl in the local movie business, model-turned -actress Natasha Hudson is keeping herself busy with all sorts of different projects.
Of Malay-Indonesian and Australian parentage, Natasha cuts a striking figure and is blessed with not just beauty but brains as well.
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Natasha Hudson: ‘I am always eager to try out new things.’ – Pic by RAZIQ ABD SAMAT |
“I’m a hyperactive person by nature,” says Natasha, laughing.
“My mind works non-stop ... so much so I become fidgety if I’m not doing anything,” she says, adding that at the moment she is focussing on her writing.
Last Friday, Natasha launched two poetry books entitled My Heart, My Soul, My Passion and Puisi Indah Si Pari-Pari, both featuring poems she wrote when she was a teenager.
Written in simple but meaningful prose, her poems are easy to relate to.
“I was so taken in by Tim Burton’s books and was thinking that it would be nice to have my book feature illustrations too. So I decided to have illustrations for my Malay book Puisi Indah Si Pari-Pari, which has 20 poems in it.
“Even though Puisi Indah Si Pari-Pari consists more of children’s stories and fantasies, they are also suitable for adults.
Natasha explains that she has always been interested in poetry.
“I got my first poetry book when I was 10 and it was a compilation of poems and riddles, with illustrations.
“My English book My Heart, My Soul, My Passion has a collection of fictional and non-fiction poems. I would describe it as ‘hundreds of thoughts, dreams and ideas trapped in words for people to read, say or sing’,” she says.
“I would say that my collection is an adventure of sorts and would make a wonderful companion for anyone who wants to make poetry a part of their everyday life, and it makes an ideal gift for just about any occasion.
“I guess it is my way of encouraging children and adults to see poetry as something lively and entertaining, which everybody would enjoy at any time,” she enthuses.
“Even though the poems were written many years ago, it was only recently that I decided to approach a publisher after encouragement from my family and friends,” said Natasha adding that she planned to donate some proceeds from the selling of her books to the Malaysian Children Aid Society.
“It wasn’t easy to share my personal collection of poems with the public. It took a lot of courage to share a part of me in this book. It has many memories, personal experiences, dilemmas, sadness and hope.”
Natasha has led a charmed life, but it hasn’t been without hitches. Only late last year, at 24, her marriage fell apart and she filed for divorce only four months after tying the knot.
A child from a broken marriage herself, Natasha grew up with her mother and little sister after her parents’ divorced when she was only seven. Nonetheless, she describes her childhood as interesting and colourful.
“I liked the fact that I had to go through all that (moving from one place to another) so I did have a chance to see different cultures and go through a lot of experiences.
“My father is a cool person. He listens to all kinds of music, apart from reading everything on arts and culture,” Natasha says fondly of her Australian father. In fact, only a week ago, she just had a sweet reunion with him in Kuala Lumpur.
“My mother, on the other hand, loves arts and culture. I guess that’s how I got interested in the arts.
“It is good that I’m here and grew up independently with my mother by my side. It gave me a stronger personality. Probably if I lived with my father I wouldn’t be who and what I am today. I would probably be like one of those Australian kids who goes the beach to surf and study,” says Natasha, who has a degree in Graphics and Advertising from the University of Chicago and an Advance Bachelor in Dance, Music & Acting from the Chicago Performing Arts School.
“I remember working hard when I was 16, in commercials, because I was so proud of being able to help my mum to pay for the car and other stuff. I saw her working very hard, caring for the both of us (myself and my younger sister).
“It was also nice to buy my own things and I was eager to be responsible for the family,” she recalls.
“One thing about me,” says Natasha, “is that I am always eager to try out new things. If they succeed, then great but if not, then that’s ok too. I don’t really regret things that I have done and I’m not worried about what other people think or say about me.
“I have always made my own decisions because at the end of the day I have to live with myself and I’m glad to say that I’m a survivor.”
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