Kylie Minogue turns 50: Pop star in reflective mood as she embraces milestone
Kylie Minogue has turned 50, with the pop star both appearing to embrace the milestone while at the same time keeping an eye on the past.
The Australian star celebrated her landmark birthday with a star-studded bash at the Chiltern Firehouse in London. Among the guests were Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, and Graham Norton.
"And so a new decade begins. How thankful I am for the opportunities life has afforded me. 50..... Let's go!" she tweeted after midnight on Monday, sharing a photo of herself apparently sitting naked holding a guitar.
Since arriving in Neighbours as the feisty Charlene in 1986, Minogue has spent more than three decades on screens, stages and red carpets.
The singer, who has sold more than 68 million records around the world, has undergone numerous reinventions since first appearing on the Australian soap as a fresh-faced teenager.
And so a new decade begins. How thankful I am for the opportunities life has afforded me. 50..... Let's go! pic.twitter.com/piZy3FMtHu
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 27, 2018
But she's still going strong, topping the UK album charts again this year and preparing to embark on another UK tour this autumn.
The Australian, who has called London home since 2011, has said her latest album, Golden, is as much about looking to the future as reflecting on the past.
"I am very aware and thankful that this is a good time in my life," she told Fairfax Media.
"I know I have worked for it and I have paid for it and so I am enjoying it, between my schedules and trying to take care of myself as well.
"I don't know if it is the 50 thing, it probably has a lot to do with it, but life is maybe slowing down, which sounds ridiculous because there is still so much going on, but it's happening at a slightly different pace, and a different head space, and a different understanding. ... I feel good and thankful."
As well as looking to the future, the pop princess was in a reflective mood over the weekend as she neared the landmark age.
Taking a walk down memory lane, Minogue has been sharing a collage of her highlights from the past decades.
She began the series of tweets with a picture of "tiny Kylie", which was "taken at home in Melbourne, Australia in our front room by my Uncle Noel".
Hey #lovers, as my birthday is coming up, I thought it’d be a good time to look back through the decades. So first up, tiny Kylie! This photo was taken at home in Melbourne, Australia in our front room by my Uncle Noel. Stay tuned as we lead up to May 28th! #KylieGoldenYears �� pic.twitter.com/ecRqIbvHrF
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 23, 2018
Then came school and the blossoming acting and singing career between 1978 and 1988, her first record "Kylie" capping a fruitful decade.
1978-88 - Primary and high school, done! Started acting and released my first record. #KylieGoldenYearspic.twitter.com/txTcCo5waE
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 24, 2018
Towards the end of the eighties, the singer began to lose her innocent image as she went on to top the UK charts with "Enjoy Yourself" in 1989.
"I wanted a more mature image but that wasn't just what I wear," she told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time. "Not a lot of people wanted me to grow up, I'm glad if people have noticed.
"It's hard: If you only change a little, no one notices. If you change too much, everyone says it's over the top".
Among her highlights of her career is a duet with Nick Cave, taken from his 1996 album Murder Ballads, which burnished her reputation among fans and some critics who had previously dismissed her.
Impossible Princess, the album that followed, further bolstered her reputation as a a multi-talented artist.
Casting her mind back to that decade, she said: "Some moments from 1988-98. Too. Many. To. Choose. From! I did a lot in my twenties!"
Some moments from 1988-98. Too. Many. To. Choose. From! I did a lot in my twenties! #KylieGoldenYearspic.twitter.com/afr4jHpZMb
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 25, 2018
Her singing career continued to flourish in the following ten years, with Fever topping the charts in 2001. Her smash-hit Can't Get You Out Of My Head reached number one in around 40 countries.
1998-2008 - FEVER really got me good! 5 tours and 5 albums kept me busy! #KylieGoldenYearspic.twitter.com/hxiapntRAw
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 26, 2018
Yet it was also a tough decade as she battled breast cancer in 2005. Minogue underwent surgery and chemotherapy to beat the disease and was given the all-clear in 2006.
"With the help of family, friends, medical teams and of course all of you, we made it through," she wrote.
This decade also bought the challenge of breast cancer. With the help of family, friends, medical teams and of course all of you, we made it through. There are some great organisations who are there to help, such as @BCCare. IF you need a �� idea, ������ https://t.co/OmDtewFCzgpic.twitter.com/CabY1CB9Wq
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 26, 2018
The past 10 years has seen the chart-topping Aphrodite in 2010 and an OBE. "A diamond skull, fountains, and a royal encounter. Moments from another packed decade!" she tweeted on Sunday.
2008-18 - A diamond skull, fountains, and a royal encounter. Moments from another packed decade! #KylieGoldenYearspic.twitter.com/dhCWCCjHCE
— kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) May 27, 2018
The star has been a fixture in the celebrity world ever since she burst on the music scene.
"Meeting people I admire? Well, I've met a lot of incredibly talented people, especially behind the scenes," she said in 1989. "But it's too hard to talk about them without sounding like I'm name-dropping."
Thank you @kylieminogue for the best party ever. pic.twitter.com/unUqPyn7mT
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) May 27, 2018
Some of those names were in attendance at the party, including Rock Astley, who reportedly serenaded her with his hit Never Gonna Give You Up, Pretenders rocker Chrissie Hynde, comedian David Walliams, and singer James Blunt.
Danii Minogue, who was unable to attend the bash, said she was "so proud to be your sister."
My big Sis. 50 fabulous years ������ I’m so proud to be your sister.
Everyone is celebrating this special birthday with you. Parteeeeee time ��✨���� #HappyBirthday@kylieminogue#KylieGoldenYearspic.twitter.com/DwsJN4nwpI— Dannii Minogue (@DanniiMinogue) May 27, 2018
Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade also paid tribute to Minogue, who has long had a big LGBTI following.
Today we're wishing incredible pop princess @kylieminogue a wonderful #GOLDEN birthday! ������
Photo: Kylie with our Mardi Gras Parade dancers in 2012 celebrating her 25 years in music - �� by Ann-Marie Calilhanna. pic.twitter.com/MPIvx4dLJm— Sydney Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) May 28, 2018
"Kylie is a star that has become iconic outside of just singing," Paula Joye, an Australian fashion expert, told AFP.
"She's become part of the fabric of Australian culture."