Australians have a knack of knocking back down to earth people who rise from nowhere to superstardom or extreme wealth and success.
It’s our way of keeping big egos in check and making sure people don’t get too full of themselves.
Kylie Minogue is a bit of a strange one.
Kylie has never shown an ego out of control, has never shown any arrogance or any media stunt or any kind of activity (such as a Britney no-pants moment) to justify such an attitude.
So to be the Queen of Tall Poppy Australia is not only harsh but totally unwarranted.
Kylie seems to have polarised the public in Australia, with a small number of very vocal and loyal loving devoted supporters (dare I say it, probably 90 percent gay) but most other people either say they can’t stand her or her music or she can’t sing, has no talent etc etc.
I think that after so much time in the public spotlight, she should have stuffed up or made some mistake by now that would validate such an attitude or low level of public approval or satisfaction but still not getting even a sniff or scent of admiration, pride or respect by mainstream Australia or the press.
After seeing Kylie in concert three times now, I can confirm that Kylie can indeed sing and has incredible talent.
I think Kylie is actually Australia’s most under-respected star of international standard and sadly I do not think this will change, until maybe at her passing when we will then claim her back as one of our true Aussie legends.
She has been adopted by her new home, the UK, which worships and adores her as the true star that she is. Sadly, most Australians look at Kylie as an embarrassment.
Kylie, you are a true entertainer in every sense of the word, and Australia has no right to claim you back if they never loved you in the first place. Maybe the UK should claim you as theirs as they have stood up and are proud of you.
Kylie, you can sing. You know your limitations and you do what you do but never fake it and pretend to be anything but yourself.
Kylie, you probably will go down in history as Australia’s most successful singer/recording artist and Australia’s most well known and successful international star.
At this point in time, you may not have cracked mainstream USA, but you have in virtually every other country in the world, and they love and adore you.
I just wanted to let you know that I am Australian, and I am one of the minority that is immensely proud of you and your achievements. I want you to keep doing what you love and enjoy and keep bringing joy and beauty and fun to the world as you sure do make the world a better, brighter place.
Through your TV interviews and documentaries, you continue to show this true inner beauty, grace and poise and this amazing humble nature. I am so very privileged that you have touched me in such a way yet we have never met.
I would be so blown away if I ever had the opportunity to meet you in person but I am sure even my high expectations would be exceeded.
By DJ DOUGMC.
DJ Dougmc is a Queensland-based DJ. Find out more at www.dougmc.podo
Strange that comments on here are more about Madonna than the person the story was written about. I wrote this piece before I saw her incredible concert in Melbourne last year and my respect for her as an entertaininer only grows. If I had a $1 for every time someone had said to me that Kylie can’t sing I would indeed be a very rich man. Agreed since this was written she has got the Aria Hall of Fame award but that is still a long way off from the huge number of Australians who still ridicule her talent and her voice etc etc. But in talking about Madonna seeing she has been brought up, do a big number of Americans still insist that she can’t sing and has no talent etc etc. what do they do, they give her half time on the super bowl. Would Kylie get such a gig here in Australia?
Jack, Madonna has become so irrelevant the last 7 years that she has to latch onto any new trendsetter and rape them for their fans. i.e Timbaland, Justin Timbalake, Pharrell, Nicki Minaj, Bjork etc. If you’re only as good as your last album, then Madonna has a bigger hill to climb as Hard Candy, Confessions and American life were all flops. The difference between Kylie and Madonna is Kylie doesn’t have contempt for her fans like Madonna. At least you know exactly what your gonna get with Kylie and she appreciates that you like it. People keep throwing around the innovator tag with Madonna and she hasn’t done anything innovative for a decade. I’m not saying she hasn’t got talent but people keep putting her up on a pedestal like she invented music when she didn’t. Look where she started, ripping off New York electro club musicians. The only thing worse than Madonna are her fans. Case in point, an article about Kylie and you have to gab on about how Madonna did it all first. Whatever. Cher did the 50 year old in leotard thing first, so how much of an innovator is she really?
Kylie will always be my favourite.
I’ve seen all but one concert and her last appearance at MG and whilst there are certainly better singers, better songwriters out there, her shows are phenomenal and she always puts everything into her concerts and her life, which she lives with great finesse.
I think the industry does back her and hence has indoctrinated her into the ARIA’s Hall of Fame.
I do agree she is polarizing. My taste in music ranges from metal and punk to classical and tribal, what I Always get bagged for, is my complete collection of Kylie CD’s!
But I’m ok with that.
;-)
Sorry but this article is flawed! We in the UK do not adore her! Was it not the British media who savaged her attempt at early Madonna with sex Kylie? The British public only truly fell in love with Kylie after Madonna wore a t-shirt with her name blasted across it! Many here regard her as pop lite and it certainly hasnt been reflected in her chart success here either. Ok so shes sold a few discs, but they diminish when put alongside Madonna’s! And thats just it, we Brits have had a very prolific love affair with Madonna since she courted us in 1982, Kylie didnt help herself when she tried to adopt Madonna’s sexual attitude, it didnt work. In fact from 1990 the UK dumped her like a stone, even now she is unfavourably compared to Madonna at every turn! And yep, shes still mimicking her idol to a certain degree. Kylie has a very strong hardcore fan base in the UK but its mainly gay men, Madonnas is far broader! I like Kylie, but i just find her bland and a bit transparent. We Brits love Madonna fir what she is, ballsy, brassy and strong. Shes also an inovator, Kylie gets a bit tiresome playing catch up to Madonna, something we in the UK have seen first hand. In the UK Madonna has been very prolific, much more so than Kylie… We remember her looks etc we also remember Kylies versions of those looks! And it all seems second rate! Then there is the material itself, Madonna slays Kylie, Madonnas chart success against Kylie speaks for itself and as they say you are only as popular as your last record! Kylies wasnt that succesful, Madonnas was, and even then it was a hits package! What does that say?
Why do you think people are embarrassed by Her? The (very) straight boys I know want to shag her, the girls I know are jealous and my 7 and 9 yo nieces love her (OK, I may have facilitated that). I think Kylie bashing was left behind in the 90s. Love or hate her music, I think Australians are proud of her. Get with the programme DJ whoever
How very true. I have been lucky to meet Kylie on 4 occasions over the years and have always found her so down to earth with no expectations or any pretence.
The truth about Kylie is she is a professional and very talented who has proved this by the continued success she has achieved.
Bugger the knockers she deserves everythingshe has..