X Factor NZ judge Natalia Kills is facing an online backlash after she delivered a brutal critique of contestant Joe Irvine, with some accusing the judge of bullying. Video / MediaWorks
Technically she's no longer Natalia Kills - the singer now answers to Teddy Sinclair and has just released new music with husband Willy Moon.
The duo join forces in a band called Cruel Youth, who debuted their new single Mr. Watson this week.
Sinclair penned a note to be publishedalongside the offering, detailing her evolution and describing the track as a "narcotic lullaby".
"Cruel Youth is the musical love child created during a 3-month lock-in at my studio with my husband Willy Moon," she wrote.
"For a brief moment in 2015 I felt like it was the death of me, but somehow the part that survived was a pure uncensored passion that quickly became the ace in my hand."
A new sound is just one change since the disgraced X Factor judge left New Zealand under a cloud of controversy last year.
Sinclair and her husband Moon have been keeping a low profile since being booted off the reality TV show for ripping shreds off Southland contestant Joe Irvine.
During a harsh commentary she accused the contestant of copying her husband, calling him a "laughing stock" among other insults.
New Zealanders immediately responded, with backlash against the bulling tactics forcing the couple to retreat.
Half a year later Kills, born Natalia Noemi Keery-Fisher, officially changed her name from Natalia Kills to Teddy Sinclair, making the announcement on social media.
In her recent letter to fans, Sinclair described how 2015 "felt like it was the death of me".
Breaking her silence on the " truly regrettable situation" she described how flying back to New York was the catalyst for fresh projects.
"While evolving my solo project into my new band I was approached to be a personality on X Factor New Zealand, which led to a publicity stunt resulting in a viral media storm.
"I was subjected to a global witch hunt I couldn't defend myself against due to a wide-reaching legal gagging order. It was a truly regrettable situation for everyone involved."
Following the incident she threw herself into working on Rebel Heart with Madonna.
She also toured the world with Rihanna and co-penned the song Kiss It Better on her new album, Anti.
Sinclair finished off with a simple message to loyal supporters: "I'm excited to share this new music with you. This is our song Mr. Watson, this is Cruel Youth."
