Kylie Minogue reveals secretly battling cancer: ‘I kept it to myself, not like the first time’

Going back and forth over the career of Kylie Minogue: this is the challenge that director Michael Harte tried to take up with the documentary Kylieput online on Netflix this Wednesday, May 20, 2026. In these three episodes, the director drew on the personal archives of the Australian singer to retrace her life and her journey.

It was through this documentary that Kylie Minogue revealed for the first time that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, fifteen years after a first diagnosis and a first cure.

A well-kept secret by Kylie Minogue

Facing the camera, Kylie Minogue spoke about this diagnosis which had been kept secret until now. “My second cancer diagnosis was at the beginning of 2021. I was able to keep it to myself… Unlike the first time“, she emphasized, referring to her first treatment, which was widely publicized.

And added: “Fortunately, I overcame this ordeal. Again. And everything is fine. Who knows what the future holds, but pop music fuels me… My passion for music is stronger than ever.”

In 2005, Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. After canceling her tour Showgirlshe underwent treatment in Melbourne, while experiencing intrusive media attention, prompting the Prime Minister of the Australian state of Victoria to intervene.

Kylie Minogue and the “right time” to announce her diagnosis

In Kyliethe Australian singer said she struggled to “find the right time” to publicly announce her diagnosis, especially after the huge success of her song Padam Padamawarded the Grammy Awards in 2023.

“I didn’t feel obliged to shout it from the rooftops, and besides, at the time, I just couldn’t do itbecause I was devastated, she explained. At one point, I didn’t want to leave the house. Padam Padam opened so many doors for me, but deep down, I knew that cancer was not just an accident.”

And added: “I really wanted to tell the story of what had happened so that I could turn the page. I was attending interviews and every chance I got, I said to myself: ‘This is the moment’, but I kept everything to myself“. That song Storyreleased in 2023 and from the album Tensionmakes particular reference to this period of his life.