In this Enigma exclusive, pint-sized pop powerhouse Kylie talks to Sam Kent in London about her relationship with 31-year-old Spanish model Andres Velencoso, her recovery from breast cancer and why she’s not afraid of turning 50.
Kylie Minogue has survived breast cancer and three decades in the cutthroat world of pop, but when it comes to love, the challenges seem to be harder to overcome. After a devastating split from French actor Olivier Martinez in 2007, she was almost 40 and single again. Though many women would despair, Kylie ploughed on with her career, certain her love life would sort itself out. And last October, it did.
While attending a party thrown by burlesque star Dita von Teese in Paris, the 2 Hearts singer was introduced to 31 year-old Spanish model Andres Velencoso. The couple chatted all night, shocking watching photographers with their instant chemistry. Yet Kylie was quick to deny they were anything more than friends. Less than two months later, the pair flew to the picturesque village of Chamonix, in the French Alps, for a romantic ski break. Then on New Year’s Eve they were spotted kissing and since then, they have become inseparable. This month, after nearly seven months of dating, the loved-up couple are reportedly preparing to wed. Andres is said to have proposed during a romantic trip to New York last month and friends say Kylie is even considering converting to Catholicism so she can have a traditional church wedding in Spain. Kylie’s friends and family are thrilled with the match and say they’ve never seen the singer happier. A source gushed: “When you see them together, there’s no doubt they’re in love. They only have eyes for each other. Kylie can’t wait for the wedding. She’s had a tough few years and it’s so nice to see her so happy. She really deserves to have a fairy tale ending.”
While her personal life goes from strength to strength, Kylie’s professional career is also blossoming. Later this year, the singer will embark on her first ever US tour, playing nine dates in the US and Canada. For a performer who has been trying to crack the US market for years, it’s a huge opportunity and Kylie can’t wait. She recently said: “I feel really very comfortable where I am at the moment and that’s why I’m loving touring so much; it’s not as scary as it used to be! I’ve wanted to go to America for ages but it was just never feasible to do it.’”
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, Kylie took two years off. In November 2007, she was back on the charts with her 10th studio album X and its hit single 2 Hearts. The track reached number four in the UK singles chart, while X has so far achieved platinum status in Britain and shifted a respectable million copies worldwide.
The next 18 months were a golden time for the Australian pop superstar. Highlights include receiving an OBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace and a Knighthood from France, but the most significant landmark in her career came when Kylie embarked on ‘KylieX2008’ – her first full tour since her cancer diagnosis. News of the tour sparked a frenzy across Europe and with Kylie’s reputation for staging dazzling spectacles, tickets for the UK leg of her tour sold out in just 30 minutes – forcing tour organisers to add a further seven dates to cope with demand.
And ‘KylieX2008’ – which cost an estimated £10 million to stage – did not disappoint. It was packed with camp costumes, hot pant-wearing male dancers, acrobats, a 12-piece band and high-energy dance routines. One of the highlights even saw Kylie arrive on stage perched on a giant Damian Hirst-like glittering golden skull.
The diminutive star, clad in outlandish costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, proved age was only a number as she donned a tight-fitting blue and white cheerleader outfit and performed Heart Beat Rock while doing the splits as her hunky male dancers held her high in the air. The shows also gave Kylie a chance to show off her chameleon-like character. She incorporated Japanese geishas, Samurai-wielding dancers, sailors, fairies, showgirls, 80s shell suits and even Barry Manilow’s hit song Copacabana into her lively two-hour set. Despite rumours claiming she was ditching her old hits in favour of new tracks like Wow and Speakerphone, she delighted fans by updating a host of her classics.
Kylie has admitted being diagnosed with cancer has made her realise how much she wants to be a mother. “I love children, but it’s only since my cancer that I have given serious thought to having them,” she confessed. And now that she’s found love, Kylie is closer than ever to fulfilling her dream and living happily ever after.
With breast cancer and a break-up, you’ve had a tough few years. How are you feeling these days?
It’s funny because I feel I’ve found the balance I’ve been seeking for years. I’m happier than I’ve been for a very long time and I feel so much more myself.
You’re famous for looking polished and perfect, but lately you’ve been looking more natural. What made you put down the hairspray?
It’s true I do feel more relaxed. When I go out at night, I don’t want my hair all done in a certain style anymore, I just want to be me.
Does this newfound happiness have anything to do with your latest love interest Andres Velencoso?
All I’m going to say is that it’s going well and I am very happy right now.
Can you hear wedding bells in the future?
I want the ‘happy ever after’ ending as much as any other woman, but I’ve stopped focusing on that.
Are there any plans to move in together, or have children?
I’ve stopped planning. I’ve always been a big planner but I’ve definitely changed. I’m just letting things happen and see what does.
You turned 41 last month. Are you where you thought you’d be at that age?
In so many ways I am behind the mark for my age. I’m not married and I don’t have children but my attitude now is just that things may happen or they may not. You just have to be happy with where life takes you.
Do you think your hectic work schedule stops you finding happiness in your personal life?
Last year was a very tough year because I did my tour. I loved it, but it was a manic year with every second being accounted for. That’s why I promised myself this year, I would just do things I had to do and relax in between.
Is it difficult to drop everything and take time off after you’ve worked so hard for so many years?
I’m always going on about getting balance but I’ve realised you do actually have to work at doing that, not just expect it to happen. You need to make the right decisions, take that time off and allow yourself to just hang out.
What have you been doing with all your free time this year?
Mostly just relaxing. It takes a long, long time to recover from an illness like breast cancer but I think this year has been so good for me. I’ve been playing golf, catching up with friends, travelling.
Turning 40 was a major milestone. How do you feel about the big 5-0?
I’m not worried about it. I feel so much healthier and happier now. I’m discovering that it is actually true what people say, life does begin at 40. This is a very good time for me.
You’ve dated a string of famous men in the past. Do you ever think about the loves you’ve lost?
I still have an incredibly precious ring which was given to me by Michael Hutchence. Every relationship of mine has been important.
Do you have any other trinkets from former flames?
If someone gave me a piece of jewellery I would never get rid of it or give it back. Actually I’ve just told a lie. I did once return a piece of jewellery. It was my very first boyfriend. I was in seventh grade and it was very exciting because we got to hold hands. On my birthday he gave me this pretty badge but my dad made me give it back. I still remember it though.
You started your career on ‘Neighbours’. Would you ever consider doing another TV show?
I have been thinking about getting back into television or movies for a while. The terrifying thing is deciding what to do. I’ve done my share of dud films and I don’t want to do another!
Lots of stars end up in the West End or on Broadway. Would you ever consider doing a musical?
That’s something I can definitely see happening. I’ve been asking around and one day, it will happen.