Natalie finds it tough to be mean.
It's not easy having to tell young singers they don't have what it takes, says The X Factor judge.
Natalie Imbruglia knows exactly how Ellen DeGeneres feels when she says she had to suck it up and criticise talent on American Idol.
Imbruglia has come up against the same challenges judging The X Factor Australia for Seven.
"I have to say during Boot Camp I found it really hard. I didn't have the boys there to keep me tough. I found it really hard when people would get upset," she says.
"It's emotional. Seeing people upset really affected me. I just haven't been as cut throat as I would have liked to have been.
"But when we've been doing the auditions I've been really honest. It's not like I've let people through who shouldn't go through.
"I'm emotional. I don't like it when people get upset. So I can relate to Ellen. I'm getting the job done, but I have found it difficult."
But she remains excited by the show, which she is judging alongside Kyle Sandilands, Ronan Keating and Guy Sebastian. The four will each mentor a group of singers split into categories; Males 16-25, Females 16-25, Singers Over 25 and Groups.
The winner lands a recording contract with Sony Music Australia, which Imbruglia says is a golden opportunity for an emerging artist.
"I think there's a lot of people in the past who maybe wouldn't have gone on a show like this, but with all the changes in the music industry they're now seeing this as valid and one of the most important vehicles to launch a career," she says.
"A lot more people are coming forward, we're seeing some incredible talent. There are people who have had record deals before, whereas in the past certain people would go down that road and never go on a show like this. But everything's different now."
Seven has invested heavily in the show, with rumours of over $20 million for the rights. This week it had to tackle the PR disaster of host Matt Newton being edited out of the show. But the network is still optimistic the talent can rise above media headlines.
Created by Simon Cowell, The X Factor Australia also allows the judges to help produce the act for the contest, from song choice, styling and presentation.
"We also want to find somebody who's got their own opinion of who they are," says Imbruglia.
"We don't want people to think this show is about us doing everything for this person. We're looking for artists."
And Imbruglia insists the show has found some spectacular talent.
"Definitely world class talent."
The X Factor Australia premieres 7:30pm Monday, August 30, on Seven.
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