Kylie Minogue has revealed she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in 2021 but kept the news to herself – until now.
The Australian-born singer spoke about her secret battle with a second primary breast cancer in her new Netflix docuseries KYLIE, released today.
It came 15 years after being given the all-clear in January 2006 following a battle with breast cancer.
The singer said she had kept the diagnosis to herself at the time because “I don’t feel obliged to tell the world” unlike the first time around, which forced her to cancel a world tour.
It was by far her biggest reveal in the three-part docuseries, coming in just the final 10 minutes as a casual “one more thing”.
Getting emotional when talking about songs on her Tension album, released in 2023, Minogue revealed the catchy song Story had a hidden and deeply personal meaning.
“There’s a song that we wrote, a song called Story, and Story was written because [pauses to regain composure] my second cancer diagnosis was in early 2021,” she revealed.
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“I was able to keep that to myself and go through that year and not like the first time… I’ve been trying to find the right time to say it.
“I don’t feel obliged to tell the world and actually, I just couldn’t at the time cause I was just a shell of a person.
“I didn’t want to leave the house again at one point.”
She was sitting alongside her song-writing partner of 25 years Richard ‘Biff’ Stannard, who held her hand as she made the teary confession.
“Padam Padam opened so many doors for me but on the inside, I knew that cancer wasn’t just a blip in my life.
“And I really just wanted to say what happened so I can let go of it. I would sit through interviews and every opportunity I thought, ‘now’s the time’ but I kept it to myself.
“So I needed to have something that marked that time,” she said of the song.
Reassuring fans, she added: “Thankfully, I got through it. Again. And all is well … my story continues”.
Minogue said in promotional materials for the docuseries it was “my choice to share” the news of her second diagnosis in this way, as a reminder about the importance of routine check ups.
“I also know there will be someone out there who will benefit from a gentle reminder to do their check ups,” she said.
“As part of my routine check ups in 2021, I was diagnosed with a second primary breast cancer. Early detection was very helpful and I am so grateful to be able to say that I am well today.”
She also wanted those impacted by cancer to know they’re not alone in the “daunting” process.
“There are so many people for whom cancer is part of their life and, I get it; you just want to move on and put it in the past or park it to the side. But, check-ups are incredibly important,” Minogue said.
“It can be daunting and triggering but please be mindful of just how vital they are – and reach out for help if you need it, you’re not alone.”
There were a handful of other reveals across the almost three-hour series, made by the same team behind David Beckham’s popular docuseries, including sister Dannii Minogue discussing their fears for Kylie through her first breast cancer battle.
“We didn’t know if she was ever going to be well again, it was that bad,” Dannii said.
“Like, is she going to live through this? I just felt so helpless, there was nothing I could do for her.”
Minogue was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005, at the age of 36.
She underwent a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments but postponed her treatments to try two rounds of IVF, which were unsuccessful.
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