It's been a whirlwind nine months
for Kylie Minogue. It all started on May 18, 2023, when she captivated the
internet with "Padam Padam,"
a song named for the sound of a heartbeat. This instant classic earned Minogue,
who is 55, her second Grammy on Feb. 4 for best pop dance recording, a new
category.
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| “I’m naturally very malleable and chameleonlike,” says Kylie Minogue. “I can play different characters, but they’re just different facets of me.” PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIK MELVIN |
In the midst of it all, Minogue released her 16th studio album, the critically acclaimed Tension, and kicked off a highly praised Las Vegas residency at the Venetian's intimate nightclub Voltaire, which is scheduled to run until early May. Minogue sat down with THR to share her secrets on managing such a dynamic career.
I caught your Las Vegas show,
and I must say — you leave it all out there on that stage
I'm glad you enjoyed the show!
Performing in a smaller space like Voltaire actually adds to the intensity.
There's nowhere to hide, so I have to give it my all. The quick changes keep me
on my toes, but it's all part of the thrill of performing live.
Does the design of Voltaire align with your dreamy disco style? Were you
part of the planning process?
When Derek McLane, the architect behind the venue, showed me his plans on paper, I immediately felt a connection, like it had some of my essence in it. Just before opening night, when it was completed, I sat in various spots within the venue and couldn't help but wonder, "Is this real?"
One of the highlights of the show for me was your performance of Elvis
Presley's "Can't Help Falling in
Love," which turned into a huge love-filled moment
I know, right? Everyone has tears
in their eyes, swaying, and hugging. There's so much human contact—more than
any other touring show I've done. It's like the most glamorous house party
you've ever been to.
Do you plan to extend the run past May?
That’s an interesting question. I have plans for a world tour, as it's been some time since I've done a large-scale show. I can definitely envision returning to Voltaire. It feels like a second home; a part of me belongs there.
What is the secret to staying ahead of pop music trends?
I'm naturally very adaptable and
enjoy change. I'm grateful to be celebrated now, as there have been times in my
career when I've had to explain or justify my choices. It's about being
flexible and embracing different aspects of myself, which allows me to embody
different characters and styles.
"Padam Padam" was
indeed a unique success for you. Do you consider it your biggest hit due to its
viral nature?
It's possible. It's challenging to determine. Earlier in my career, songs like "Locomotion" or "Can't Get You Out of My Head" seemed to explode. If social media had existed then, would they have been even bigger? I'm not sure. However, "Padam Padam" is unique in that it's the first song of mine with such a viral impact. It caught all of us off guard.
The album cover for "Tension,"
featuring you holding a giant diamond, is prominently displayed all over Las
Vegas. What's the story behind that?
Haris Nukem took the photographs
and created all the artwork for the album. His style is hyper-real. He showed
me various sketches on his iPad and mentioned, “I don’t know, I just had this vision of you holding a diamond.” The
diamond was initially very sharp and uncomfortable. Haris used sandpaper to
file down the point, making it safer for me to hold. After that, I was ready to
proceed with the shoot.
People often use the term "eras"
these days. How would you characterize your current period?
It feels too simplistic to label it
as my "Tension Era," but I
believe "Tension"
encapsulates it well, and I don't have a more fitting term. Perhaps I'd call it
my "Present Era." I'm very
focused on the present. I'm fully aware that this is a fantastic moment, even
though I'm as busy as ever. You just have to keep moving forward. If you want
to catch a wave, you've got to paddle.
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