Natalie Mendoza

Natalie Jackson Mendoza (born 12 August 1978) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her roles as Jackie Clunes in the British drama series Hotel Babylon (2006–2008) and Juno Kaplan in the horror film The Descent and its sequel, The Descent Part 2 (2009). Mendoza has also performed in various stage productions across the West End and Broadway, including Miss Saigon (role of "Gigi"), Here Lies Love ("Imelda Marcos"), and Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark ("Arachne").

Life and career Mendoza was born in Hong Kong in 1978, to mother Robin Jackson, an Australian television personality of German descent, and father Noel Mendoza, a jazz pianist and arranger of Filipino descent. She is one of six artist siblings. She was raised in Sydney, Melbourne, and Hong Kong. She also went to school and trained in London and New York. She performed in many musicals such as Cats, Miss Saigon, The Music of Lloyd Webber Concert Tour (understudying Sarah Brightman), Oh What A Night, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, as the lead Frugue girl in Sweet Charity, and took the role of Eponine in the 10th Anniversary Australasian Tour of Les Miserables.

In 1998, Mendoza formed the band Jackson Mendoza with her sister Rebecca.

From 2017 to 2020, Mendoza guest starred in various television productions, including Blue Bloods, Holby City, and McDonald & Dodds.

Mendoza appeared in the Leos Carax-directed musical film Annette, starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard.

In 2021, she joined the cast of the musical Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, playing the lead role of Satine.

Filmography

Film YearTitleRoleNotes 2000 Muggers Tran 2001 Moulin Rouge! China Doll 2003 Horseplay Jade Code 46 Sphinx Receptionist 2005 The Descent Juno Kaplan The Great Raid Mina 2009 Surviving Evil (aka Evil Island) Cecilia 'Chill' Reyes The Descent: Part 2 Juno Kaplan 2021AnnetteSix Women Accuser Chorus Member

Television

Theatre +YearProductionRoleVenueDirector 2010 Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark Arachne Lyric Theatre, NYC Julie Taymor 2013 Arms of Fire Josephina Chester Theatre Company Byam Stevens 2014Here Lies Love Imelda Marcos Royal National Theatre Alex Timbers 2015 Miss Saigon Gigi Prince Edward Theatre Laurence Connor 2021 Moulin Rouge! Satine Al Hirschfeld Theatre Alex Timbers