Kylie Minogue has disclosed that she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in early 2021, as revealed in a new Netflix documentary titled Kylie. The pop star, who successfully battled breast cancer in 2005, said she kept the diagnosis private until now.
In the documentary, Minogue stated: “My second cancer diagnosis was in early 2021. I was able to keep that to myself … Not like the first time. Thankfully, I got through it. Again. And all is well.” She added that her passion for music remains strong, saying: “Pop music nurtures me … my passion for music is greater than ever.”
The 57-year-old explained that she struggled to find the right time to go public, even after the success of her Grammy-winning 2023 single Padam Padam. “I didn’t feel obliged to tell the world, and actually I just couldn’t at the time because I was just a shell of a person,” she said. She noted that her 2023 song Story from the album Tension references that period, with lyrics including “I had a secret that I kept to myself.”
Minogue was diagnosed after a routine check-up and emphasised the importance of early detection. “There will be someone out there who will benefit from a gentle reminder to do their check ups … I am so grateful to be able to say that I am well today,” she said in promotional materials.
Her first cancer diagnosis came in May 2005 when she was 36, leading to the cancellation of her Showgirl tour and Glastonbury headline slot. After treatment, she was given the all-clear. In 2008, she revealed she had initially been misdiagnosed. She returned to music with the 2007 album X and later achieved a triumphant Glastonbury performance in 2019.
The three-part documentary, directed by Michael Harte, features interviews with her sister Dannii, Jason Donovan, and Nick Cave. Minogue’s career continues to thrive, with a Christmas No 1 in 2025 and a Grammy for Padam Padam.
