With the U.K’s first gay reality dating gameshow, I Kissed a Boy, finally coming out this year, plenty of those who aren’t so involved in U.K queer culture but who have gotten hooked on the series might be wondering who the fabulously dressed host Dannii Minogue is, and why she’s considered a queer icon in the U.K. If you’ve been watching the series, or are just looking for more excellent pop music in your life, then read ahead to find out all about the I Kissed a Boy host Dannii Minogue!
Who is Dannii Minogue?
Dannii Minogue is an Australian singer, actor, and television personality. She was born in Melbourne, Australia, and began acting from the age of seven, appearing in several small parts in various Australian television shows and commercials. She started her adult acting career in earnest with a role in the legendary aussie soap opera Home and Away, where she played a rebellious tomboy named Emma (so not quite the fashionista she eventually morphed into). Home and Away has famously been a springboard for many internationally acclaimed actors, like Heath Ledger and Chris Hemsworth, and it was the same for Dannii, making her a household name in both her native land and the U.K and Ireland.
Minogue began her music career in the early nineties, when she released a string of fantastic pop hits from her debut album Love and Kisses, which was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry. However, by the time her second album (Get Into You) was released, she was focusing more on theatre and stage productions. However, in the late nineties and early oughts, Dannii reinvented her musical career in a more dance-y vein, and her third album Neon Nights became the most successful of her career, reaching the top-ten in the U.K charts. Since then she has released various albums, including best-of compilations, and had number ones on the U.K dance chart, as well as being the headline performer at Australian Fashion Week and gigging regularly. She has also recently released her first single in years, “We Could be the One,” which also serves as the theme tune for I Kissed a Boy.
Throughout this time, Dannii was also expanding into fashion and presenting work. She has become somewhat of a fashion icon, producing a clothing line called Project D in conjunction with Selfridges, while also being praised by various designers for her sense of style. She’s also been an ambassador for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, and has been featured in magazines like Vogue and Instyle regularly.
Her television work has been varied, but mostly includes presenting or judging on various shows in the U.K, Ireland, and Australia. Additionally, she has regularly appeared on various talk shows to promote her upcoming work and music, while putting in the odd cameo appearance in British and Australian television shows.
Is Dannii Minogue related to Kylie Minogue?
Yes, Dannii Minogue is Kylie Minogue’s younger sister. The pair also have a middle brother, who works as a cameraman in their native Australia. In interviews, she has opened up about how it has sometimes been “hard to be compared all the time to Kylie,” although the pair seem to have a great relationship, and have performed together multiple times.
Where else have I seen Dannii Minogue?
If you’re a fan of British or Australian talent shows, then there’s a large chance you’ve seen Dannii Minogue on a screen somewhere. She was a judge for four seasons of The X Factor UK (a show with some incredibly famous fans), for six seasons on Australia’s Got Talent, and presented the Nickelodeon UK Kids Choice Awards in 2008. Additionally, she has guest-judged on shows like Dancing With the Stars, Project Runway Australia, and Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. She was also a special guest on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
Her most prominent judging role in the U.K was on The X Factor, where she often faced criticism for her ability as a judge and mentor — in one episode of the show, she even broke down on live television after her fellow judges harangued her. However, she’s proved consistently popular in the U.K, and two of her mentees in The X Factor UK went on to win the show, proving that her naysayers weren’t quite on the money with their attacks.
Minogue’s longest-running television judging stint was on Australia’s Got Talent, where she was the only original judge to remain on the show after its format was revamped in the fourth season.
Why is Dannii Minogue considered a gay icon?
Minogue has always been known for her support of the LGBTQ+ community. She has performed numerous times as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as well as regularly singing at the famous London nightclub G-A-Y. More importantly, she has always openly championed gay rights causes, and has been vocal about her support for things like same-sex marriage. When the racist political party the British National Party claimed her support after she was misquoted by British GQ, she did a clear-up interview in the Gay Times in which she was emphatic about her support for minorities, and unequivocal about distancing herself from the BNP, stating: “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 multicultural background and I am very proud of that.” Dannii is also an ambassador for the Terrence Higgins Trust, which is an organization that works to increase AIDS awareness.
Her support for these causes and the community, added to her fashionable status and pop creations, mean she’s been embraced by much of the gay community in the countries in which she has a high profile.
What is Dannii Minogue doing next?
Minogue’s next big presenting gig will be the lesbian equivalent to I Kissed a Boy, called (unsurprisingly) I Kissed a Girl, which is due to begin filming later this year. She has also been releasing new music, so there’s every chance we could get another Dannii Minogue album in the near future.