The Story of 'Unwritten' By Natasha Bedingfield

From Poem to Pop Anthem

Natasha Bedingfield looks back on how “Unwritten” grew from a poem for her younger brother Josh into an enduring pop anthem. The song’s message came from remembering the pressure of being a teenager and not knowing what you wanted to become.

Some people initially pushed back on the idea, calling it “too pretty,” but Natasha held onto it until she met songwriter Danielle Brisebois. The two clicked immediately. With producer Wayne Rodrigues, they built the track around a simple guitar idea, programmed beats, vocal scratches, and a makeshift choir of friends and family.

The writing didn’t come easily all the way through. The collaborators hit a wall over the chorus, and Rodrigues spent the night working on chords. A faster, more driving rhythm helped unlock it. Natasha recorded the vocal that became the record at around 3 a.m. When she returned with a rough CD, her collaborators quickly realized they had a “monster song.”

Finding an Audience

Success wasn’t guaranteed. “Unwritten” first took off in the U.K., but some American industry figures doubted it would work in the U.S. Natasha spent months visiting radio stations and singing for small groups of contest winners.

New York radio DJ Cubby championed the song, and radio play helped propel it to number one. Its use on The Hills also cemented its association with young people figuring out who they are.

Sudden Fame and Family

The documentary also shows the strain of sudden fame. Natasha describes nonstop travel and schedules that felt like being “in a washing machine.”

During that period, her brother Daniel—who had helped train her musically and often praised her in interviews—suffered a serious car crash in New Zealand. Natasha was heartbroken that he wouldn’t let her visit. Daniel says her music and support helped him rest and recover.

A New Generation

Years later, “Unwritten” found a fresh audience through a TikTok dance. Creator Rony Boyy says the beat caught his attention before he even knew it was Natasha’s song. His video took off, drawing tens of millions of views and even inspiring a dance from Lizzo.

Rony eventually messaged Natasha to teach her the choreography, and the two became friends. The film ends with Natasha preparing to perform with him, reflecting on how the song keeps finding new generations. She believes its simple, singable sound—and its deeper message of possibility—are what have made it last.

Personalities Featured

Natasha Bedingfield, Daniel Bedingfield, Nikola Bedingfield, Josh Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois, Wayne Rodrigues, Andrew Frampton, Cubby (radio DJ), and Rony Boyy.