She started out on Neighbours, made the successful crossover to the music biz via her role as singer with hit band Rogue Traders, and is rapidly becoming a style icon.

No wonder So You Think You Can Dance Australia's Natalie Bassingthwaighte is being compared to Kylie Minogue.

'Wow, that's a massive compliment,' she says with a laugh. 'If that's what you think, then bring it on. I'll be compared to her, absolutely!'

And why shouldn't she be? Natalie's become one of Australia's hottest stars, scoring the coveted TV hosting role in the process.

Tipped to be the most watched new show of 2008, So You Think You Can Dance Australia is a change of direction for Natalie, but one sure to enhance her skyrocketing profile. And she's enjoying every minute.

'It's looking awesome,' she says. 'Having been in musical theatre for seven years and being surrounded by insanely talented dancers, I knew there was lots of quality in this country, but I was still blown away by the talent [on the show].'

Natalie will be Australia's answer to Cat Deeley, the stylish British host who shot to fame on the US show. And she'll easily match her in the fashion stakes.

'Dressing up is one of my favourite things about the show,' Natalie says. 'There have been a lot of Australian designers who have said they would like to dress me. And Prada is going to send stuff straight off the catwalks of Europe. I'm so excited. Cat set the standard by being glamorous and fabulous, and now I can't wait!'

As well as working on the show, Natalie's been busy with her first solo album.

'It's going well,' she says. 'I've been working on it for a while and things are changing left, right and centre. I can't talk about it too much, but I can say I have worked with some really big American writers.'

Natalie's also kicking goals in her personal life with partner and Rogue Traders drummer Cameron McGlinchey.

She's been making a new home for them in LA, where she hopes to base herself once her TV commitments wrap up.

'I'm loving LA - I want to spend as much time there as possible,' she says.

'You're surrounded by all these people who are passionate about what they do. Everyone has a goal, and everyone's fighting for a slice of the business, which I just love - I feed off it.'

And like our other Aussie export Kylie, the sky's the limit, with Natalie already negotiating a film role for later in the year.

'This year's going to be fantastic,' she says. 'I'm really excited about everything.'