Dannii Minogue credits Home and Away wild-child role for keeping her grounded as she returns to acting

Dannii Minogue credits a “wild-child” turn on the Australian soap Home and Away with keeping her grounded after fame arrived at a young age, as she prepares to return to television in the four-part drama The Imposter.

The singer and actress, now 54, first rose to prominence as a child on Young Talent Time before leaving the show in 1988 and taking a pivotal role on Home and Away at 17. Minogue played Emma Jackson from 1989 to 1990, a run she says helped her channel early rebelliousness into a character rather than into real-life missteps. "I was speaking with a friend recently and said: 'I got a year of being in physical fights, throwing milkshakes over people, saying the most horrible things,'" she told News Corp. "That was really good for me to act it out because then I never had that rebellion after leaving Young Talent Time." She added that the year helped keep her on track, contrasting it with moments some peers faced.

Minogue has previously opened up about the brutal climate of early fame, including public comparisons to her sister Kylie. On Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, she said she would not have survived if she hadn’t built mental resilience amid years of nasty comments and scrutiny. "I know that if I wasn't mentally strong and I did have any kind of eating disorder or something, I wouldn't be alive now. It was so brutal, and it went on for years." The pair’s sibling dynamic drew attention, but Minogue notes the family remains close and supportive as both sisters have navigated their careers.

Now 54, Minogue says her priorities have shifted toward family and selecting work with real significance. She remains in a relationship with music producer Adrian Newman, and she spoke about how motherhood shaped her focus after the birth of son Ethan in 2010. "I've spent my life travelling around the world, being away, missing birthdays, weddings, funerals. I'm really trying to find the balance now. You can’t have just the happiness without everything else. If you accept there’s light and dark, it’s all part of it." Those reflections align with her broader view that she’s choosing projects that matter to her as she transitions back to screen acting.

The upcoming project marks Minogue’s return to acting after decades away from regular television work. She will star alongside Kym Marsh, a longtime favorite of UK audiences from Coronation Street, and Jackie Woodburne, a Neighbours veteran. The four-part murder mystery, The Imposter, is slated to premiere on Channel Ten on Sunday, December 21, signaling a notable re-entry to TV screens for the performer who began in entertainment as a child star.

Minogue’s reprisal of acting roles comes amid personal growth and a recalibrated career strategy. She has indicated that she will continue to prioritize work that aligns with her values and personal life, while keeping a focus on family-time and balance after years of extensive touring and international commitments. The Imposter thus represents not only a return to the spotlight but a redefined phase in which Minogue seeks meaningful, enduring work in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.