FROM TOMBOY SOAP STAR TO
In Neighbours with Guy Pearce and Jason Donovan
And this week she became possibly the world’s sexiest, most glamorous and most adored 50-year-old.
Wearing a slinky golden gown, stylish Kylie celebrated the landmark at a discothemed bash with celebrity pals.
She serenaded guests with duets Islands in the Stream and Prince’s Kiss, which she sang with Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, a close friend.
But she delighted them just as much with the impish charm that brought her to fame in 1986, playing feisty tomboy car mechanic Charlene Mitchell in Aussie soap Neighbours.
SPIRIT
First UK hit I Should Be So Lucky still sums up the Kylie spirit that has carried her through life in the spotlight ever since – and seen her achieve worldwide record sales of more than 80 million.
She overcame breast cancer after a shock diagnosis at just 36, and has had her share of heartbreak as romances crashed and burned.
Yet she marked her big day with a post that said simply: “A new decade begins. How thankful I am for the opportunities life has afforded me. 50… Let’s go!”
And she took the opportunity of her glitzy bash to post a photo of herself with new love Paul Solomons, artistic director of men’s magazine GQ.
Born in Melbourne to an Aussie dad and a Welsh mum, Kylie landed a part in daytime soap Neighbours as part of a revamp by Network Ten to boost ratings.
She played opposite Jason Donovan, her on-screen boyfriend Scott Robinson, for two years – and their partnership soon blossomed into real-life romance.
Their chemistry proved a hit with viewers – in 1988, over 20 million tuned in to watch Charlene and Scott wed.
But after a No1 in Australia with The Locomotion in 1987 – the same year she topped UK charts with I Should Be So Lucky – Kylie quit the soap to focus on her music career.
She and Jason released soppy ballad Especially for You in 1989, but split shortly afterwards.
Jason later admitted jealousy drove them apart, saying: “I could Kylie’s gold hotpants were a hit Singer in 2005