Kylie Minogue has worn many hats in her illustrious 45-year career: global pop icon, best-selling Australian artist, Grammy winner, and recently, the queen of dance anthems with her 2023 hit, Padam Padam. However, she admits there are still some “what-ifs” lingering in her mind. In a recent interview with Audacy’s Check In, Kylie shared one particularly intriguing one: her close brush with recording one of Britney Spears’ most iconic hits.
Almost Singing “Toxic”
As Minogue revealed to host Mike Adam, she almost recorded Spears’ 2003 hit, Toxic. “Yeah, there’s a little song called ‘Toxic’ that was headed my way,” she said, laughing at the memory. “And I was like, ‘Toxic? I don’t know if I want a song called Toxic…’” Minogue mused on her near-miss with the track that would become a defining moment in Britney’s career. “As it turned out, it was meant to be a Britney Spears song, I can’t imagine it being anything else,” she admitted, recognizing that Toxic’s signature sound and impact became synonymous with Spears’ own style and evolution.
Dreaming of an All-Star Female Anthem
Minogue’s ideas for a new collaboration also came up during the interview. If she were to spearhead a modern-day We Are the World-type anthem, Kylie already knows the lineup she’d love to assemble. “It might be a girl group,” she explained, envisioning a powerhouse collective with vocalists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, and Madonna. Each artist brings her unique flavor, and such a collaboration could channel the spirit of empowerment, unity, and creativity Kylie herself embodies.
Returning to U.S. Stages After a Decade
With her U.S. tour on the horizon — her first in over twelve years — Minogue is equally excited to celebrate her music catalog spanning four decades. She promised fans that the setlist will feature her newest tracks from Tension II and Tension, alongside highlights from Disco (2020) and Golden (2018). Fans can also expect a throwback to her earliest days, including her breakout 1987 cover of Locomotion, which ignited her pop career.
The Changing Landscape for Women in Music
At 56, Minogue is navigating an industry where she once faced difficult questions about ageism and her career longevity. Reflecting on those moments, she explained, “It wasn’t that many years ago that I was in quite awkward positions where people would question me to my face in an interview, ‘When are you too old to be a woman in this business?’” She emphasized her stance on staying relevant by sheer talent, passion, and dedication, adding, “Firstly — rude, but secondly — I don’t know.” Her career has challenged these dated perspectives, and Minogue feels she’s part of a positive shift: “It’s very encouraging that I’m proof, I’m sat here. Now we bring up the age topic, but I think it’s at least with a positive spin on it.”
Kylie’s Inspirations and Hope for Future Generations
The singer reminisced about her inspirations, including fellow Australian Olivia Newton-John, disco queen Donna Summer, and 1980s icons Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. She acknowledges that attitudes toward age in pop music have transformed, partly thanks to the open-mindedness of younger audiences. “Thankfully, it is becoming, certainly, for the younger generation… they’ve just got new minds and open minds.”
As Kylie Minogue embarks on her U.S. tour, her reflections reveal the resolve, creativity, and optimism that have made her a beloved artist for nearly five decades. Her journey highlights not only her adaptability but also a commitment to pushing boundaries, an example for artists of all ages. Whether she’s turning down iconic songs, dreaming of all-star collaborations, or speaking out on the issues that matter, Minogue remains timeless — a true pop chameleon whose influence is still “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”-worthy.
