Kylie Minogue cannot be summed up easily. A three-decade career with era-defining tracks. An unmistakable aura that makes it feel like you know her. And a knack for constant reinvention that defies expectations, from “I Should Be So Lucky” to “Padam Padam.”
So “Kylie,” out on Netflix Wednesday, does not try to do so. Instead, the new John Battsek docuseries (the producer behind “Beckham,” “Still: A Michael J Fox. Movie” and “Three Identical Strangers”) explores what such a life has been like for Minogue, with the Australian singer being remarkably open about the grief, scrutiny and resilience she has experienced along the way. Alongside contributions from sister Dannii Minogue, record producer Pete Waterman and the musician Nick Cave, Kylie shows the world some of her personal archive, including archive photography by her longtime friend Katerina Jebb.
Speaking to Variety at Netflix’s London headquarters ahead of the docuseries’ release, Minogue talks about the experience of opening up emotionally on camera and why “Kylie” is a midpoint career reflection rather than a retrospection. She also discussed many of the topics that come up over the three episodes, including relationships with “Neighbours” co-star Jason Donovan and the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence and the press scrutiny she received early in her career: “Thankfully, I gave myself a chance.”
