Kylie Minogue: ‘I do know what it’s like to live without a partner, and it’s OK’
Kylie Minogue opens up on love, loss, all things ‘Golden’ and why Dolly Parton is an inspiration
She burst on to the scene as Charlene in Neighbours back in 1986 – and now she’s set to celebrate her 50th birthday on 28 May! In between, we’ve watched the pint-sized Aussie become the Princess of Pop, a sex symbol and a global treasure. But it hasn’t all gone smoothly. She’s also survived cancer and heartbreak. Here, she reveals how she is going to celebrate her milestone birthday... Can you believe it’s been 30 years since you put out your first album, Kylie? [Laughs] It’s a long time, yeah. There’s been a few bends in the road between the first and the most recent album, that’s for the sure.
Why did you call the latest album Golden?
I’m not young and I’m not old. And then I thought, well, just be golden. I’m asked a lot about my age and, while I understand the interest, I do get sick of it. You can’t be younger than you are – you can’t make yourself younger and you can’t make yourself older. So just be yourself and shine as best you can at that point in your life – be golden!
This album has a country feel to it, doesn’t it?
When I started working on the album , someone said to me, ‘OK, I don’t know, it’s like there’s a little country element.’
Well, you’ve never had a banjo on a record before, have you?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a banjo on a record, no! [Chuckles]
You decided to finish working on it in Nashville, Tennessee. Did you like it there?
I loved every second and I can’t wait to go back – the coffee shops, the best vintage store, the Bluebird Café… I was imagining low-rise wooden buildings and a place that’s kind of dilapidated, but full of spirit, like New Orleans. But Nashville city is nothing like that. It’s really modern.
Why isn’t Dolly Parton on the album? Did you ask?
[Chuckles] I think my people might have reached out to her people. But it’s a very good question! If I ever got to perform with Dolly Parton – I don’t know how – I would probably need a stiff drink. I would be so nervous. I’d be really trying hard to keep it together.
Isn’t there a Nashville slogan, ‘What would Dolly do?’
Yes! I bought the T-shirt. I sent a picture of me wearing it to my brother and he said, ‘ Well, what would Dolly do? Why don’t you ask her?’ [Chuckles] I said, ‘Don’t be crazy, I can’t just call Dolly Parton.’
The lyrics on this album seems really personal…
Well, I was getting stuff out of my system. I can only speak for myself, but I think it’s a universal subject – why do we do the things we do? Why do we change in a relationship? What are we searching for? Why do we think it was right when it was wrong? The same old questions.
When it comes to love, things never really change, do they?
I know people often like to paint me as a bit of a failure in that department, but maybe it’s just not my destiny – yet, anyway – to have met The One. Part of me thinks, ‘Maybe they’re out there.’ And then another part of me thinks, ‘Maybe they’re not.’ Maybe that’s just not for everyone. There is a love, but I don’t think there’s any love without complications.
Is it that you can’t have it all? Fame, fortune, beauty…
I don’t think everyone really has it all. If you had it all, what would drive you? How would you relate to people? Sadness and joy. If you don’t know both... Wait, I’m going way too deep! [Laughs]
Would you trade your career for family and kids if you had the chance to?
There’s been moments where, yeah, I’ve thought maybe I’m not meant to do what those happy-looking people are doing, but you don’t know what’s behind closed doors. You don’t know what the real story is. We all put on a bit of a face, but it’s a good question: Would I trade it all in? I honestly don’t know. But I do know life without having a partner, and it’s OK.
How are you going to celebrate the big 5-0?
Normally I don’t do big parties... I always say, ‘Can we just go to the local restaurant?’ But I think this year I’m going to do it. I think I’ll have a big party in London.
Elton John-style?
Maybe not! I don’t know if I can compete with Elton. Who did he go as again?
Some French king...
Oh, yes! Louis XIV or something. Yeah, mine might be a step down from that!
‘It’s a good question: Would I trade in my career for a family? I honestly don’t know’