DANNII MINOGUE

'Danielle Jane Minogue' (born October 20, 1971) is an Australian singer-songwriter, television personality and occasional actress, model and fashion designer. Minogue rose to prominence in the early 1980s for her roles in the Australian television talent show ''Young Talent Time'' and in the long-running Australian soap ''Home and Away'', before commencing her career as a pop singer in the early 1990s.
Minogue achieved early success with hits such as "Love and Kisses" and "This Is It", though by the release of her second album, her popularity as a singer had declined, leading her to concentrate on other fields such as television presenting. The late 1990s saw a brief return to music after Minogue reinvented herself as a dance artist with "All I Wanna Do", her first number one UK Club hit. In 2001, Minogue further returned to musical success with the release of her biggest worldwide hit to date, "Who Do You Love Now?", while her subsequent album, ''Neon Nights'', became the most successful of her career. In the UK, she has achieved eleven consecutive number one dance singles, becoming the best performing artist on the UK Upfront Club Chart.^[1] Minogue is currently signed to All Around the World and, in 2006, released her second official "best of" compilation, ''The Hits and Beyond''.
Minogue's private life, including her marriage to Australian actor Julian McMahon and engagement to both Canadian Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve and former Bros band member Craig Logan, has been much discussed in the media. She has promoted gay rights causes throughout the world, and is noted for her work to increase awareness of AIDS.

Contents

Biography

Childhood and beginning

1990-1995: Early career

1996-2001: ''Girl'', presenting, and theatre

2002-2004: ''Neon Nights'' and radio programme

2004-present: ''The Hits & Beyond'' and the future

Personal life

Relationships

Media portrayal and other activities

Discography

Other credits

Television

Film

Stage

Awards and recognition

Notes

External links

Biography

Childhood and beginning

Minogue was born in Melbourne, Australia, to accountant Ron Minogue and dancer Carol Jones.^[2] Minogue's father was born in Australia but his family comes from County Clare, Ireland and her mother emigrated to Townsville, Queensland as a young child from Maesteg, Wales in 1955.
She is the youngest of three children. Her sister, Kylie, is a dance-pop singer and actress, and her brother, Brendan, works as a news cameraman in Australia.²
Minogue began her career as a child on Australian television. From the age of seven, she had appeared in several soap operas, including ''Skyways'' and ''The Sullivans''. In 1979, she became a regular performer on the weekly music programme ''Young Talent Time''. She recorded her first solo recordings for the programme, including a cover version of Madonna's hit single "Material Girl"; during this time, she also performed live at several sold-out nationwide concert tours.^[3] In 1988, Minogue departed from ''Young Talent Time'' to continue her acting career, appearing as the rebellious teenager Emma Jackson on the soap opera ''Home and Away''. Minogue remained on the programme for only a year, but proved to be popular among Australian audiences when she was nominated for a "Silver Logie" for the country's "Most Popular Actress on Australian television".
In September 1988, Minogue released her own fashion range entitled ''Dannii''. She became interested in fashion design while appearing on ''Young Talent Time''. Minogue had designed the clothing she had worn on the show, and the positive response from the audience resulted in her releasing her own line.^[4] Minogue's debut line, ''Dannii'', sold out across Australia in ten days, and was followed by three additional summer lines in 1989.^[5]

1990-1995: Early career

Minogue signed a recording contract with Australian-based Mushroom Records in January 1989. Her first album, ''Dannii'', was released the following year and reached number twenty-four on the Australian albums chart. Outside Australia, the album was released in 1991, under the title ''Love and Kisses'', and became a top ten hit. Minogue's debut single "Love and Kisses" peaked at number four on the Australian singles chart and was certified gold.⁵ In the UK, the song reached the top ten on the singles chart.
She released ''Love and Kisses and...'', a re-worked version of her debut album, in April 1992. The album, a collection of dance songs, comprised tracks and remixes from ''Love and Kisses''. It peaked at number forty-two on the UK albums chart, and sold nearly 60,000 copies.⁵ Several remixes by producer and DJ Steve "Silk" Hurley were successful in European dance clubs. Minogue credits these remixes for providing her with a "new image and sound to work with" on future releases.^[6]
Later that year, Minogue made her feature film debut in ''Secrets'', which co-starred Noah Taylor. The film revolved around five Australian teenagers who become stuck in the basement of a hotel in an attempt to see The Beatles. The film was not well received by audiences or critics, with Minogue's performance being described as "not all that convincing".^[7]
Minogue released her second album ''Get into You''—which included the songs "Show You the Way to Go", "This Is It" and "This Is the Way"—in October 1993. The album contained uptempo dance tracks and mature vocals, but despite her past chart success, failed to make the British top fifty.^[8] The following year, Minogue returned to television as a presenter, co-hosting Channel 4's morning show ''The Big Breakfast'' in the UK.
In 1995, Minogue released the singles "Rescue Me" and "Boogie Woogie", a collaboration with dance act Eurogroove. Released only in Japan, both songs reached number one on the Japanese singles chart. She began recording her third album in 1995; however, Minogue and her record label, Mushroom Records, parted ways in late 1995 following a contract disagreement.^[9]

1996-2001: ''Girl'', presenting, and theatre

In 1996, she resumed her co-hosting duties on ''The Big Breakfast'', presenting the ''Eggs on Legs'' road show segment. That same year, Minogue briefly hosted the children's show ''Disney Time'' and co-hosted, with Gareth Jones, the teenage Saturday morning entertainment show ''It's Not Just Saturday'' for sixteen weeks. Minogue made her stage debut in April 1997 as Rizzo in the musical ''Grease: The Arena Spectacular''. In Australia, the show sold over 450,000 tickets during its first season. She resumed her role as Rizzo the following year, performing in New Zealand. At the 1998 MO Awards, Minogue was nominated for "Best Female Musical Theater Performer" for her role. Also in 1997, Minogue hosted ''Top of the Pops'', a British music chart television programme, before returning to her recording career later that year.
Minogue's interest in dance music and clubbing heavily influenced her third album ''Girl'', released in September 1997, which featured collaborations with musicians such as Brian Higgins of Xenomania.^[10] The album presented a more sophisticated and adult style of dance music, but despite generally positive reviews, failed to make the British top fifty, although the ''Unleashed Tour'' in late 1998 sold out in Britain.^[11][12] Minogue's single "All I Wanna Do", which the Daily Mirror described as a "bass-bumping, shuddering return",^[13] peaked at number four on the UK singles chart and was certified gold in Australia.⁵ The album's follow-up singles, "Everything I Wanted" and "Disremembrance", failed to reached the top ten, but reached number one on the UK dance chart.
Mushroom Records released two budget compilation albums in December 1998, as part of the label's twenty-fifth anniversary. Released only in Australia, ''The Singles'' comprised Minogue's most popular single releases, while ''The Remixes'' contained popular remixes. In January 1999, following her performance at the 1998 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Minogue released the festival's first official theme song, "Everlasting Night". It appeared on the compilation CD ''Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras of 1999'', and its music video, co-directed by Minogue, featured drag queens whom she had met while performing at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras the previous year.^[14]
Minogue returned to the theater in the 1999 production of Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'' at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The play received mixed reviews; critic Matt Grant wrote that Minogue "lacks true conviction as she ploughs through the lines without capturing their full force",^[15] while Fiachra Gibbons singled Minogue's performance out, noting in her review that Minogue's "disco-queen-from-hell delivery works well" for her character, Lady Macbeth.^[16] Two years later, she appeared as Esmeralda in the musical production of ''Notre-Dame de Paris'' in London's West End. The musical received poor reviews from British critics who called it "lame" and its songs "reminiscent of [the] Eurovision song contest".^[17] At the 2002 ''Maxim'' Awards, she won "Best Stage Performance" for her role. In 2001, Minogue also appeared in the stage play ''The Vagina Monologues'', which co-starred Kika Markham and Meera Syal.
In November 2001, Minogue released the single "Who Do You Love Now?", a collaboration with Dutch dance act Riva. Described by ''Sound Generator'' as a "nice serene and dreamy vocal on the dance floor anthem", the song peaked at number three on the UK singles chart, and reached number one on the dance charts.^[18] In the United States, the song was released to dance clubs, and reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Dance Club chart. In 2001, Minogue signed a six album deal with London Records, a subsidiary of Warner Music International.⁸

2002-2004: ''Neon Nights'' and radio programme

In 2002, Minogue made headlines when the British National Party, a far right and anti-immigration political party, claimed that she supported their cause following comments she had made in an interview with Britain's ''GQ'' magazine. In the interview, Minogue was quoted saying that French National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen had "struck a chord with people", and that "even the street signs [in Australia] are written in Asian".^[19] Minogue responded to the British National Party's claims in ''Gay Times'' magazine saying, "I am not a racist. That is not how I live my life. I have a Jewish manager, I perform in gay clubs, I come from a multi-cultural background and I am very proud of that".^[20]



In March 2003, Minogue released her fourth album, ''Neon Nights'', which the BBC called "a pleasant cocktail of pop sophistication, club culture and accessibility".^[21] It consisted of 1980s inspired dance-pop songs and provided Minogue with some of the strongest reviews of her career. ''Neon Nights'' peaked at number eight on the UK albums chart (her highest ranking since her debut), and produced three top ten singles. The second single, "I Begin to Wonder", declared one of the "best things" on the album by Ireland's RTÉ, became her highest charting single, peaking at number two on the UK singles chart.^[22] Following extensive airplay by North American dance radio, Warner Music Group released the album in the United States in late 2003. Singles "I Begin to Wonder" and "Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling" were also substantial successes on the U.S. dance charts.^[23]
Minogue hosted her own radio programme, ''Dannii Minogue's Neon Nights'', in June 2003. Broadcast in Australia and the UK, Minogue played songs by up-and-coming DJs, as well as her own music.^[24] Minogue was released from her recording contract with London Records in May 2004 due to low record sales.^[25] Later that year she signed a new contract with independent dance label All Around the World Records.^[26]

2004-present: ''The Hits & Beyond'' and the future

In October 2004, Minogue released the single "You Won't Forget About Me", a collaboration with the dance act Flower Power. Described by MSN Entertainment as a "real grower" and noted for its "snip snapping house beats and '80s flecked synths", the song peaked at number seven on the UK singles chart and became Minogue's third single to reach the top five on the United States Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.^[27] "Perfection", a collaboration with the Soul Seekerz, followed in October 2005.
In February 2006, Minogue made headlines when surveillance tape stills from London strip club Puss 'N Boots were published by ''News of the World'', a British tabloid newspaper, showing Minogue and a female lap dancer in full-contact sexual activity.^[28] A spokesman for Minogue downplayed the event and called it a "harmless girls' night out".^[29]
Later that year, Minogue released ''The Hits & Beyond'', her first official greatest hits album. Mushroom had previously ended her 4 album contract in Australia with a Singles collection only available in her home country but many of her avid, worldwide fans were able to purchase the album through import. Her first official greatest hits album comprised six new songs, including the album's lead single "So Under Pressure". It debuted at number seventeen on the UK albums chart and spent three weeks in the top seventy-five. "So Under Pressure" was inspired by the cancer diagnoses of her sister Kylie Minogue as well as that of an unnamed friend. It became her tenth consecutive song to reach number one on the UK Upfront Club chart.^[30] Minogue has described the recording of "So Under Pressure" as a "real achievement" as she was "brave enough to put all [her feelings] into words".¹⁰ In September 2006, Minogue's cover of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" appeared on ''Spirit of Christmas'', a compilation CD of holiday songs available through Myer department stores across Australia.^[31]
In November 2006, Minogue performed Sister Sledge's 1979 song "He's the Greatest Dancer" on BBC One's ''Children in Need'' telethon. A studio version of the song, remixed by Fugitive, appeared on the dance compilation ''Clubland 10'', released in November 2006.^[32] The following month, "He's the Greatest Dancer" was released to UK dance clubs as a promotional single. It reached number one on the Upfront Club chart. In Australia, the song was released in April 2007.
In 2007, Minogue was a judge on the Network 7's variety show ''Australia's Got Talent''. She is currently appearing as a judge and mentor in the fourth series of ITV's ''The X Factor'' alongside Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh as of August 18, 2007.^[33] Due to this and the confirmation of her appearing in the second series of ''Australia's Got Talent'' which is due to start filming almost immediately after her obligations with Syco Productions with a Christmas break inbetween, she has apologised to fans that there is nothing on the release schedule music wise for the foreseeable future. Speaking to the magazine ''Sunday'' on August 12, 2007 Minogue said that "It's impossible to do ''The X-Factor'' and music so (my career) is on hold."
"And I don't have a record deal anymore."
Before adding she may wish to return to the studio in the future saying "We'll see."
Despite her plans to keep away from new music, Dannii's webmaster has revealed on her online forum on August 17 that deluxe editions of her two most recent studio albums ''Girl'' and ''Neon Nights'' will be released sometime this year, with two more album releases, one titled Unleashed: Hits and Rarities, as well as a Video Collection, including music videos and live performances. Only a 2CD tracklisting has been revealed for both re-releases with more information on its way in the coming week.

Personal life

Relationships

In January 1994, Minogue married Australian actor Julian McMahon, whom she met in 1991 while working on the television series ''Home and Away''.^[34] Minogue and McMahon were married for less than two years and divorced in 1995. Referring to the divorce, Minogue said that it was her "biggest regret and biggest downfall".^[35] In October 1995, she posed nude in the Australian edition of ''Playboy'' magazine. Commenting on the reason she posed nude, Minogue said she "just had a marriage break-up. Most women go to the hairdressers - I did ''Playboy''. I chose the photographer, the location, what I did or didn't want to wear and everything else about the pictures. I found it a really liberating, empowering experience."^[36] The edition featuring Minogue sold out in under four days and became one of the best-selling editions in Australia.
Minogue became engaged to Canadian Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve in October 1999, but their relationship ended in 2001.^[37] In early 2002, Minogue began dating music producer and Bros bassist Craig Logan, whom she met while recording material for ''Neon Nights''. Media reports in March 2002 claimed Minogue and Logan were engaged,^[38] but in December 2002, it was announced that they had ended their relationship.^[39]



When Danni was a judge on the X Factor in 2007, Xtra Factor presenter Fearne Cotton set her up on a date with a contestant.


However, after a barbecue in the sun, she refused to put him through to boot camp saying there were stronger people in his category.

Media portrayal and other activities

In 1983, Minogue's older sister, Kylie, appeared with her on ''Young Talent Time'' before commencing a commercially successful music career in 1987. Minogue has often been compared to Kylie and has struggled to find respect from critics and is often portrayed as a "wannabe" by the media.Dani Valent. "The Real Dannii Minogue". ''The Age (Melbourne) Magazine''. Issue no. 24. Retrieved December 7 2006. Both Minogue and her sister deny a sibling rivalry, but she admits that she finds it "hard to be compared all the time to Kylie."^[40]
Internationally viewed as a gay icon, Minogue has performed multiple times at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the London nightclub G-A-Y, to which she was the first of the minogue sisters to do so^[41]. She credits her gay following for much of her success, commenting that gay culture has "always been a part of [her] music." Minogue openly supports gay rights causes for social equality and believes that same-sex marriages should be accepted by all government bodies. In 2006, Danni Minouge was caught on CCTV camera having lesbian sex inside a shop or salon[1]. This caused much specualtion about her sexuality though Minouge has remained silent about her sexuality.
Minogue is an ambassador for the Terrence Higgins Trust, an organization that works to increase awareness of AIDS. She joined the charity in hope that her endorsement would encourage people to discuss safe sex and the disease more openly.^[42] In 2004, she posed nude, wrapped only in a red ribbon, to promote World AIDS Day in Australia and the UK.⁴² She has long been a supporter of breast cancer research and, in October 2003, performed in a London comedy show titled ''Funny Women''. The show raised money for breast cancer research, as well as awareness of domestic violence.^[43]

Discography

Main articles: Dannii Minogue discography

Other credits

Television ★ 1978: ''Skyways'' ★ 1978: ''The Sullivans''....as Carla (#2) ★ 1982-88: ''Young Talent Time''....as herself ★ 1988: ''All The Way''....as Penny Seymour ★ 1989-90: ''Home and Away''....as Emma Jackson ★ 1994: ''The Big Breakfast''....as a presenter ★ 1994-95: ''Fan TC''....as a host ★ 1996: ''It's Not Just Saturday''....as a host ★ 1996: ''Scoop''....as a host ★ 1997: ''Disney Time''....as a presenter ★ 1997: ''Top of the Pops''....as a host ★ 1997-98: ''Live & Kicking'' ("Electric Circus" segments)....as a presenter ★ 2007: ''Australia's Got Talent''....as a judge ★ 2007: ''The X Factor''....as a judge

Film ★ 1992: ''Secrets''....as Didi ★ 2004: ''The Porter''....as Bunny Stigler Stage ★ 1997: ''Grease: The Arena Spectacular''....as Rizzo ★ 1999: ''Macbeth''....as Lady Macbeth ★ 2000: ''Notre Dame de Paris''....as Esmeralda ★ 2000: ''The Vagina Monologues''

Awards and recognition

Year	Award	Category	About	Result
2004	WMC International Dance Music Awards	Best Hi-Energy / Euro Release	"I Begin to Wonder"	Nominated
	WMC International Dance Music Awards	Best Dance Artists	Herself	Nominated
	Dancestar 2004 Awards	Best Worldwide Single	"I Begin to Wonder"	Nominated
2003	ARIA Awards	Best Pop Release	''Neon Nights''	Nominated
	Capital FM Awards	Capital Rhythm Award	Herself	'Won'
	Disney Channel Awards	Best Female Artist	Herself	'Won'
2001	Maxim Awards	Best Stage Performance	''Notre-Dame De Paris''	'Won'
1998	MO Award	Best Female Musical Theater Performer	Rizzo in ''Grease: The Arena Spectacular''	Nominated
	BRMB Music Awards	Best Video	"All I Wanna Do"	'Won'
1991	TV Hits Magazine	Best Female TV Star	Herself	'Won'
	Smash Hits Poll Winners Party	Best New Artist	Herself	'Won'
	BIG Magazine	World's Best Female Pop Star	Herself	'Won'
	Radio One & Flash Forward Magazine	#1 Woman of the Year	Herself	'Won'
	Logie Awards	Most Popular Female Talent	Herself	Nominated
1989	The Variety Club of Australia	Young Variety Award	Herself	'Won'

Notes

1. "Club Queen". danniimusic.com. June 29, 2006. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
2. Dannii Minogue Profile. NNDB. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
3. Young Talent Time. dannii.com. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
4. Gary James. "Dannii Minogue Interview". ''Famous Interviews Canada''. Retrieved December 14, 2006.
5. "Chronology". danniimusic.com. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
6. Singles. dannii.com. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
7. Sarah Turnbull. Secrets'' Critical Review and Bibliography. ''Murdoch University''. Retrieved December 12, 2006.
8. Biography. Music Square. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
9. ''Love and Kisses Fanzine'', July 1995 edition.
10. Artist Profile: Dannii Minogue.'EMI Music Publishing. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
11. Tours. dannii.com. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
12. Other Works for Dannii Minogue. IMDB. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
13. Ian Hyland. "Dreamy Danni is Putting on a Great Front". ''Daily Mirror''. August 10, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
14. Singles. dannii.com. Retrieved December 6, 2006.
15. Matt Grant. "Is This a Dannii I See Before Me?". BBC News. August 14, 1999. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
16. Fiachra Gibbons. "Journey To Macbeth". ''The Guardian''. August 16, 1999. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
17. Fiachra Gibbons. "Alarm as Cats heads for last miaow". ''The Guardian''. January 16, 2002. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
18. "A 'proper' record from young Dannii of well crafted little gems.". ''Sound Generator''. March 19, 2003. Retrieved December 12, 2006.
19. "Dannii Minogue May Sue BNP". BBC News Entertainment. November 29, 2002. Retrieved December 7 2006.
20. Rupert Smith. "Setting the Record Straight". ''Gay Times magazine''. January 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
21. Andrew McGregor. "Review of ''Neon Nights''". ''British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)''. March 2003. Retrieved December 4, 2006.
22. Cristín Leach. "Review of ''Neon Nights''". ''Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)''. April 23, 2003. Retrieved December 4, 2006.
23. Billboard Singles Chart History. billboard.com. Retrieved April 12, 2006.
24. Ron Slomowicz. "Dannii Minogue Interview". About.com. Retrieved December 4, 2006.
25. "Dannii Minogue Ditched By Record Label". ''Contact Music''. Retrieved January 22 2007.
26. "Dannii Minogue Signs Her Fourth Record Deal". Contact Music. Retrieved December 4 2006.
27. "Review of "You Won't Forget About Me"". October 22, 2004. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
28. Peter Hackney. "Interview: Dannii Minogue". Evolution Publishing. July 5, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
29. "Dannii Minogue Considers Legal Action Over Stripper Tape". Yahoo! Music News. February 9, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
30. Chrissy Iley. "Sister Act". ''The Daily Telegraph''. July 2, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
31. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" danniimusic.com. September 19, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
32. Clubland Vol. 10. aatw.com. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
33. "Minogue, Friedman join 'The X Factor'". ''Digital Spy''. June 4, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
34. Star Bios - Julian McMahon. ''Tribute Magazine''. Retrieved January 25, 2007.
35. "Minogue regrets divorce from 'Nip/Tuck' star". Ask Men – Celebrity News. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
36. Jonathan Thompson. "Q: The Interview - Dannii Minogue". ''The Independent on Sunday''. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
37. Dani Valent. "The Real Dannii Minogue". ''The Age (Melbourne) Magazine''. Issue no. 24. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
38. "Dannii Minogue to Marry". ''The Age''. March 1, 2002. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
39. "Dannii Breaks Up with Boyfriend". ''The Sunday Morning Herald''. January 24, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
40. Arjan Timmermans. "Interview with Dannii Minogue". Arjan Writes. December 17, 2003. Retrieved December 10 2006.
41. {http://www.g-a-y.co.uk/album.asp]
42. "Dannii Minogue and Terrence Higgins Trust launch new "Wear Your Ribbon" campaign for World AIDS Day 2004". Terrence Higgins Trust. December 1, 2004. Retrieved December 12 2006.
43. "Funny Women". dannii.com. October 13, 2003. Retrieved December 12 2006.

External links

★ Dannii Minogue's official website

★ Dannii Minogue's official Myspace

★ Dannii Minogue at itv.com/xfactor

★ Dannii Minogue at All Music Guide

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