Inspiring People

Kylie Minogue

Some of the qualities of Kylie Minogue are thankfulness, self-discipline and great friendship.

Pop singer, songwriter, actress, Brit award winner and OBE, Kylie Minogue has become of her generations most durable and recognisable celebrities. Born in Melbourne on the 28th May 1968, Kylie's career began on children's television before her role in the popular soap opera Neighbours thrust her into the public spotlight, both in her home country and in Britain where the soap was enjoyed by many. Little did many suspect that her role as Charlene, the girl-next-door cum oil-smeared garage mechanic, would lead to global stardom.

She is best known as a singer. Her first single, "Locomotion" was released in 1987. The song hit No.1 in Australia and was followed by a string of world wide hits. Although her career fluctuated and floundered in the early nineties she successfully rebuilt her image, style and sound and has since gone on to make 10 studios albums and sold over 60 million records world wide. While her pop career grew she also launched her own range of extremely popular 'Darling' perfume.

In 2005, during a fantastically successful world tour she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This brought the tour to an end and threatened her life. The wave of public sympathy was testimony to her popularity. Her hospitalization and treatment became the focus of intense public and media interest, both in Australia and around the world. The courage with which she dealt with the ordeal only enhanced her popularity - now as a person and not as a pop star. This was reflected when in June of 2006 the readers of both the British fashion magazines GQ and Glamour both voted Kylie their 'Woman of The Year'.

Since her recovery, although she has continued to produce best selling albums and star in TV shows, such as Doctor Who, the root of her enduring appeal lies in a combination of superstar and girl next door: She is both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Although she seems genuinely cheerful and excited centre stage, you could see her equally cheerful and exited in the audience with bunch of mates. She is your mate and the superstar. Her struggle with cancer has made people feel sympathy for Kylie. Kylie's dignity, in the face of this challenge, served as an example and reminder to millions. It is maybe her humanity and humility, and not her pop and her product, that make Kylie the influence she is today.