'90s Hitmaker, 51, Nearly Unrecognizable 29 Years After One of the Decade's Biggest Songs
Natalie Imbruglia was recently spotted in London, nearly three decades after the song that made her an international star.
The Australian singer and actress, now 51, was photographed arriving at BBC Radio Studios on June 4 as she prepares to release her upcoming album Algorithm. While her appearance drew attention from fans who remember her late-'90s breakthrough, Imbruglia was likely making the rounds to promote her first studio album since 2021's Firebird.
She has already given fans a preview of the project with lead single "Upside Down," which arrived earlier this year.
While Imbruglia continues to make new music, many fans still associate her with the song that launched her career around the world.
Released in 1997, "Torn" became one of the defining pop-rock songs of the decade. The emotional anthem was a massive international success, reaching No. 1 in multiple countries and turning Imbruglia into a global star almost overnight.
The song was equally dominant in the United States. Although it was not eligible for the Billboard Hot 100 under the chart rules in place at the time, "Torn" spent 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Radio Songs chart in 1998 and became one of the most-played songs on American radio.
The track's popularity has endured long after its original release.
In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked "Torn" No. 26 on its list of the 50 Best Songs of the '90s.
"There is all other karaoke, and then there is 'Torn' karaoke," the magazine wrote. "(When it comes to karaoke, 1998 remains the greatest summer of all time.) 'Torn' is still an epic tear-jerker – although when you consider Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia's celebrity beaus, you realize that girlfriend definitely doesn't need your shoulder to cry on."
The song's blend of heartbreak, vulnerability and soaring pop-rock hooks helped it resonate with listeners around the world, and it remains Imbruglia's signature hit nearly 30 years later.
Since her breakthrough, Imbruglia has released multiple albums, acted in film and television projects and maintained a loyal fan following. Now, with a new album on the way, she's once again stepping into the spotlight.
Her new album marks a particularly meaningful project for Imbruglia. Speaking to Rolling Stone in April, she said she took a hands-on approach to the record, collaborating closely with her co-writers and co-producers throughout the process.
"On this record I chose to work with collaborators who also co-produce, so from start to finish we were all so invested in every song," Imbruglia said. "I really hope that people get as much joy from listening to this record as we did making it. And that they dance their arses off."
She also revealed that making Algorithm coincided with a difficult period in her personal life. "This was by far the most fun I've ever had making a record. It also happened to coincide with the most challenging time I've had with my mental health," she said. The album's lead single, "Upside Down," was inspired by that experience.
"The inability to control my emotions, wrestling with fight or flight mode, was awful, and I was reaching this critical point with it," Imbruglia explained. "In a way, the song is about how sheer willpower – trying to force your way out of something – doesn't always work. You need tools, support. So that's where the song was born from, that fight to maintain a semblance of what some might consider normality."
Algorithm drops Sept. 4, 2026. Pre-order the album here.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 8:13 AM.