The Story So Far…
As an Australian television star, pop star, fashion designer, actress, presenter, model, and professional entertainer since the age of seven, there is only one Dannii Minogue. Her amazing new album Neon Nights, released on March 17th 2003, will once again showcase Dannii as a first-class international recording artist. The album already includes the two huge hit singles Who Do You Love Now? and Put The Needle On It. Also featured is the brand new single I Begin To Wonder, which is set to become one of this years biggest dance tracks when released on March 3, 2003.
Born Danielle Jane Minogue on October 20th 1971, Dannii first appeared as a child in two Australian television programmes Skyways and The Sullivans. Her first recording appeared on a Young Talent Time album released in Australia, when Dannii was just 15 years old! During her six years with the phenomenally successful talent show Dannii featured in several sold-out nationwide tours and performed on two albums, which featured her first solo tracks as a recording artist.
A tremendously busy year followed in 1988. Dannii's interest in fashion turned the star into a successful designer. Her debut range, simply entitled Dannii was an immediate success selling out in an amazing 10 days across Australia. During 1989 Dannii released a further 3 ranges, signed a record deal in Australia and began filming as Emma Jackson in the Australian soap Home And Away. This show was seen by over fifty million viewers a week and brought Dannii to the attention of European audiences for the first time. By the end of 1989 Dannii was voted by Australian magazines as Best Female Personality and Best New Star!
After the Australian release of Love And Kisses, which sold over 60,000 units and reached number four during 1990, Dannii quit Home And Away, released a further two hit singles and headed to London, where she now spends most of her time. During 1991 four UK Top 15 singles were released; Love And Kisses, Success, Jump To The Beat and Baby Love. They were all taken from her debut album Love And Kisses, which leaped into the Top 10 and went gold on release. At the end of the year UK magazines had voted Dannii as Best New Star, Number 1 Woman Of The Year, Best New Artist and The World's Best Female Pop Star!
Having established herself as an international super star, Dannii continued to travel the world releasing her second album Get Into You which spawned many more hit singles including the 1993 Top 10 smash This Is It. Constantly dynamic, Dannii put a temporary hold on her singing career to concentrate on her passion for television presenting. In September 1994 Dannii hosted BBC's Fan TC with a return series in 1995 attracting audiences of over 2 million. She went on to tour for six weeks presenting the Big Breakfast's Egg's On Legs roadshows, released 2 number one hits in Japan, presented a Disney television special and appeared in Australian Playboy magazine, which sold out in an amazing three days!
Even more success followed in 1995. The spectacular year began with It's Not Just Saturday, a 16-week teenage style show of which audience figures peaked at over 1.5 million. Throughout April, May and June Dannii was kept busy filming adventure series Scoop and in June, Dannii launched her very own clothing range in the UK. Taking to the road again with the Big Breakfast she went on to co-present MTV's Hanging Out and then Electric Circus. To top an amazing year off Dannii released an 18-month calendar, which became the biggest selling calendar on record, selling over 50,000 copies in its first month of sales!
Continuing to host Electric Circus Dannii released her third studio album Girl in 1997, which was proceeded by the more dance-based single All I Wanna Do that reached number 4. Dannii jetted to Australia to appear in Grease The Arena Spectacular, where she played her favourite character Rizzo, captivating audiences of over 450,000. She then returned to the UK to kick start her first ever tour, Unleashed '98, which took in over 23 dates! Having already notched up hit singles around the world it wasn't long before Mardi Gras records in Australia asked Dannii to launch the first ever gay and lesbian record label. Everlasting Night became the official anthem of 1999 and Dannii was asked to perform for the second year in a row at the event. Never before has an artist been on the Mardi Gras bill two years running. Towards the end of 1999 Dannii tackled one of the most demanding and sought after Shakespearian roles - Lady MacBeth. Performing outside at the Royal Botanic Gardens for Edinburgh's Fringe Festival, Dannii thrilled audiences for three weeks to rave reviews.
Having conquered so much in such a short space of time it didn't take much to persuade Dannii to audition for the lead role in Notre-Dame De Paris in London's West End. Having secured the part as gypsy girl Esmeralda, Dannii took to the stage in February 2001 playing to over 2,000 people a night at the Dominion Theatre. Dannii later went on to win Best Stage Performance at the Maxim Awards for this show. This was closely followed by critical acclaim for her role in the controversial play The Vagina Monologues. Dutch trance masters Riva, then approached Dannii to guest vocal on one of 2001s biggest singles Who Do You Love Now?. The track reached the dizzy heights of number three.
Before 2002 had even started Dannii had signed a six-album deal with London Records and began work on her forth studio album, now titled Neon Nights. A world-wind of live gigs up and down the country continued throughout the year including the Smash Hits Tour 2002 and headlining the 10th anniversary of London’s world-famous G.A.Y club. Put The Needle On It hit the UK’s Top 10 in early November and spent some 11 weeks on the UK singles chart. The track was also a big hit around Europe and became one Dannii’s biggest hits in homeland Australia.
On March 03rd 2003 Dannii releases her 16th UK single I Begin To Wonder. Having worked with producers such as Neimo, JCA, Ian Masterson and Korpi & Blacksell (Murlyn), Neon Nights promises a perfect blend of pop and club sophistication that will take Dannii stateside in 2003.
Is there any stopping this girl - we doubt it!
Written by Nathan Smith.
