Kylie Minogue reflects on four decades of fame, past loves and misogyny in new Netflix doc

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In a new three-part Netflix documentary called “Kylie,” Kylie Minogue shares a simple truth about her 40-year career: she feels most fulfilled when performing live. Given her incredible success – 17 albums, over 80 million records sold, 5 billion streams, and the title of Australia’s best-selling female artist – it’s easy to see why. She’s also received numerous awards, including 18 ARIA Awards and two Grammys, further cementing her lasting impact.

Emmy-winning editor Michael Harte (known for films like “Three Identical Strangers” and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie”) directs this intimate look at Kylie Minogue’s life. The film uses personal home videos, photos, and new interviews with Minogue herself, her family, friends, and colleagues – including musician Nick Cave, who describes her as a powerful force in pop music. We see how Minogue, now 57, transitioned from a popular teenage actor to a global pop star, learning to handle intense public attention and often harsh criticism from a young age. The film showcases her journey as she becomes a confident and glamorous performer, while also revealing her strength as a private person who overcame breast cancer and the challenges of the entertainment industry, all with a good sense of humor.

She didn’t have a sudden, dramatic reason to share her story, but the producer John Battsek (known for documentaries like “The Deepest Breath,” “Wham!” and “Beckham”) gradually convinced her over time. “It took years before I agreed to work with him,” she explained during a video call from the UK. “I kept finding reasons to delay – things were too busy, or I didn’t feel prepared. But eventually, I realized if I didn’t do it now, I probably never would.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Becoming a fan favorite so early in your life must have been a lot to handle. How did you cope with all the attention you received?

I’ve always just taken things as they come. When I was on ‘Neighbours’ with Jason [Donovan] and Guy Pearce, we were a really close trio. We were all around the same age, just out of school, and thrown into this soap opera together. It didn’t feel like we were joining a huge hit; we felt like we were helping make it one. We were just focused on the basics – learning our lines and getting to work on time. They kept us incredibly busy, offering us opportunities like mall appearances and photoshoots constantly – always wanting us to smile! Luckily, the three of us had each other, and now we all have strong families and support systems. I can’t imagine dealing with all that attention without that solid foundation.

Your family clearly provided amazing support during everything, especially considering the intense and negative media coverage. Watching how harsh, aggressive, and biased the press was truly shocking. I’m around your age, so I recall some of what you went through.

It’s amazing to think about what it was like having fans so early on, but honestly, the fandom itself wasn’t the issue. The real problem was the media. They were portraying things one way, but when I meet people in person, they have a completely different perspective. As I said in the documentary, it just didn’t add up. I’ve been meeting a lot of millennials and Gen Z fans during promotion lately, and they’re really surprised. They remember me from the 2000s, when things were going really well, and they had no idea about any of the negative press.

Television

I was really fascinated by a recent interview with the lead actress in Acorn TV’s new series. She talked about how much she connected with her character – a writer, just like her – and how both of them are figuring out what truly matters in life, beyond just how you look or how old you are. It’s a really relatable theme, and she spoke about it with such honesty.

The documentary touches on your past relationships, including those with Jason Donovan, Michael Hutchence, and Nick Cave. Sharing something so personal with your fans takes courage. Can you talk about what led you to open up about that part of your life?

I wasn’t particularly eager to share personal stories, and I hadn’t given much thought to talking about Michael [Hutchence] beforehand. I knew I had good photos and video from that period, but I was surprised by how beautifully and poetically Michael [Harte] put it all together. That naturally led to reflecting on Nick Cave as well. Looking back, Jason and I had a youthful, enduring connection – we felt like we could always be in each other’s lives. I didn’t anticipate how powerfully those memories and the story of Michael would come across in the documentary.

Oh, Kylie Night! It feels like yesterday, honestly. My first time there was… magical. The energy was incredible, and I instantly felt this amazing connection with everyone. Over the years, it’s become so clear how deeply Kylie has always resonated with the LGBTQIA+ community, and honestly, I feel like I’ve grown up alongside that beautiful relationship. It’s been a decades-long love affair for all of us, and I’m so happy to have witnessed and been a part of it.

It means a lot to have support through everything life throws at you. I first heard about Kylie Night way back in 1990 and wondered what it was all about. I didn’t actually go that first time, but I ended up going a few years later. The photo in the documentary of me at Three Faces, a Melbourne nightclub, was taken after I’d been to a Lemonheads concert – a completely different vibe than a drag club! That really shows my range. I have this footage from the 1996 Sydney Mardi Gras, it’s a bit shaky because no one really had cameras back then. The place was packed and sweaty – it was incredible!

I recall how devastating it was when you learned about your cancer. It’s a disease that affects so many lives. How did going through that experience change you? And what motivated you to share that personal journey in the documentary?

That moment changed me forever, like a sudden, powerful impact. It didn’t erase who I was, but it definitely created a new version of myself. There was a lot of confusion and uncertainty back then. Now, I can talk about it without getting too overwhelmed – it’s still easy to fall back into those feelings, though. I generally try to stay positive, even when things get tough. I was determined to get back to my life and regain my abilities. Before streaming services, friends would send me DVDs, but I couldn’t even focus enough to watch a movie, and simply leaving the house felt like a huge challenge. It was an incredibly overwhelming experience, one that’s impossible to fully explain, even if we spent hours talking about it.

It’s amazing how each new release brings your work to a whole new generation of fans, and that must be incredibly rewarding.

It was amazing to realize that for many young fans, “Padam Padam” was their first big pop song. I remember after a particularly incredible concert, people kept bringing their kids – around 7, 8, or 9 years old – and they’d be desperate to stay awake until we played it. They’d excitedly shout that they loved “The Loco-Motion!” (which came out in 1987), and it was just the sweetest thing – it really warmed my heart.

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So, what are you working on musically these days? I noticed you filmed a new video on Instagram. Plus, your fans are really hoping you might be featured on Madonna’s next album…

That’s a bit unexpected! I heard a rumor I was featured on her album, but that’s not true – though I’m really looking forward to hearing it. There’s a new song called “Light Up” that fits perfectly with the documentary. It’s different from “Padam,” but it’s very emotional. While I was writing it, I was thinking about my mom – I love her so much, as you can see in the documentary – and about how, no matter your age, someone who cares about you can see potential in you even when you can’t see it yourself. When you’re struggling and feel lost, that person can ‘light you up’ and help you through it. My family does that for me, and I feel that connection with Michael [Hutchence] and Nick as well. It’s about overcoming challenges, even health issues, and finding the strength to perform when you think you can’t. It’s like the love of family and friends extends to the support of an audience, giving you the power to share those special moments. It’s a really beautiful thing to experience.

What do you hope your fans will take from watching the documentary?

You know, looking back, it’s been a journey my whole life. It really comes down to remembering we’re all just people, flaws and all. I always tell myself to stay true to who I am and cherish the people around me. There’s this little mantra I have before I do anything, like stepping onto a stage – I say, ‘Let the love in, let the light out.’ It’s surprisingly hard to actually accept that love, though. We all have those moments where we wonder if we’re good enough, or if we’re going to be ‘found out’ as something less than perfect.

So you reflect the love back, like a mirror ball.

Just one beam of light hitting the disco ball creates a dazzling effect, spreading brightness everywhere. It’s a simple idea with a powerful impact, and I think that says it all.

“Kylie” premieres May 20 on Netflix.

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2026-05-19 13:34