Kylie Minogue Reveals Second Cancer Diagnosis in New Netflix Documentary

Kylie Minogue has revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in early 2021. The disclosure comes in the final 10 minutes of a three-part Netflix documentary that follows the singer over two years.

The moment occurs after the release of her single Padam Padam from the album Tension. Minogue, who is known for keeping her private life out of the public eye, breaks down while describing the song Story, which she wrote about the diagnosis. She says she kept the news to herself that year and felt like a shell of a person at the time. She adds that she got through it again.

The documentary also covers her first cancer diagnosis in 2005, when she was 36. Minogue postponed chemotherapy to undergo IVF. Her sister Dannii Minogue recalls fearing that Kylie would never be well again. The film shows the close bond within the Minogue family and their reluctance to appear on camera.

Earlier episodes trace Minogue’s rise to fame. She recorded her first single in London in 1987 with Pete Waterman. They completed I Should Be So Lucky in two hours, according to Waterman. Jason Donovan recalls being asked about Minogue in taxis as her fame grew. Michael Hutchence, with whom Minogue had a relationship after leaving Donovan, is described by her as hilarious, cultured and tender.

The film shows the years when Minogue was dismissed as talentless and labelled the singing budgie. Only her gay fans stayed loyal during those wilderness years. Nick Cave, who recorded Where the Wild Roses Grow with her, calls her a joy machine and says her connection with audiences is real. He encouraged her to return to pop music, which led to the hit Spinning Around.