“I don’t have to try to be a sex bomb—I am one!” Kylie Minogue once declared with her signature confidence. But beyond her sultry image, Minogue has spent decades proving she is more than just a pop princess. “People see me as Kylie the singer. It would be a dream for me to be taken seriously as an actress,” she admitted, reflecting on her ambitions outside of music.
From Hollywood missteps to secret on-set affairs and even legal battles with the Kardashians, Minogue has had a career filled with drama—both on and off the stage. Yet, through it all, she has remained a style icon, dazzling fans with her timeless fashion sense and glamorous footwear choices.
Let’s dive into the controversies, career highs and lows, and her unforgettable impact on fashion—one stiletto at a time.
Kylie Minogue’s Acting: A Missed Opportunity or Just a Bad Film?
Born May 28, 1968, in Melbourne, Kylie Minogue starred in the film Street Fighter as Cammy, a British intelligence officer.
The action film was released in the United States on December 23, 1994, when she was 26. Known for her pop and opera background, Minogue’s casting in Street Fighter shocked fans.
Kylie Minogue as Cammy in the 1994 action film Street Fighter, donning a military-style uniform with a blue ascot and badge details, bringing the iconic video game character to life on the big screen (Credit: WENN)
Steven E. de Souza cast her after seeing her on Australia’s People Magazine cover. The Australian Actor’s Guild was pushing him to cast an Australian actress as Cammy, and he thought that she would be perfect after looking at her.
But how can you judge someone’s acting skills based on their looks? Though Minogue has had film roles in the past, many think she should stick to singing. When reviewing Street Fighter, The Washington Post called Minogue, “the worst actress in the English-speaking world.”
Others have criticized the film, but none have directly called Minogue out like this. Was she that bad, or was it just a bad film in general? I’ll let you decide for yourself.
There was never a sequel to the 1994 live-action Street Fighter film, so rumors of Holly Valance replacing Kylie Minogue as Cammy remain unverified. Whether this speculation arose due to Minogue’s acting performance or her rumored drama with Van Damme, we may never know.
Kylie Minogue and Jean-Claude Van Damme: A Secret Romance on Set
What is this drama I’m speaking of? Street Fighter generated a lot of buzz from rumors of an affair between Minogue and her costar, Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Jean-Claude Van Damme at the 1992 MTV Movie Awards, rocking a bold double denim look with a two-tone denim shirt, light-wash jeans, and a classic black belt, embodying peak ’90s fashion (Credit: Chris Connor / WENN)
Van Damme himself confirmed this affair in an interview with The Guardian in 2012, and when asked to describe the experience, he said, “Sweet kiss, beautiful lovemaking. It would be abnormal not to have had an affair, she’s so beautiful and she was there in front of me every day with a beautiful smile, simpatico, so charming, she wasn’t acting like a big star. I knew Thailand very well, so I showed her my Thailand. She’s a great lady.” This entire statement from him has me cringing HARD.
The Chaos Behind the Scenes of Street Fighter
When filming Street Fighter, Van Damme was 34 years old, and Minogue was 26. Van Damme was also married to Darcy LaPier at the time and dealing with substance abuse issues.
Sources working with him claimed that he was doing upwards of $10,000 worth of cocaine a week. He wasn’t showing up to set and the studio had to hire a “wrangler” to keep him under control.
In contrast, Kylie Minogue was seen as professional and generous on set. She was seen as a professional and generous woman who was a pleasure to work with.
Kylie Minogue at the inaugural ELLE Style Awards in 1997, glowing in a sheer leopard-print slip dress with delicate black trim, embodying the effortless glamour of the late ’90s (Credit: WENN / Birsen Keskin)
Sources who worked with her during Street Fighter say that she always bought drinks for the entire cast and crew to make shooting days more enjoyable and that she even once hired a club.
Despite criticism of her acting, she was praised for her professionalism. Behind the scenes, she was so great to everyone, starkly contrasting Van Damme.
Kylie Minogue vs. Kylie Jenner: The Battle Over a Name
In 2016, Minogue hit the U.S. tabloids by fighting against another famous Kylie for the rights to the name. Kylie Jenner filed a petition to trademark the word “Kylie” for branding purposes, and Kylie Minogue filed an opposition proceeding right back.
Though they went back and forth for a while, both eventually dropped it. Kylie Jenner has since launched “Kylie Cosmetics,” and Kylie Minogue has launched “Kylie,” her own cosmetics line.
Kylie Cosmetics billboard featuring Kylie Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian in West Hollywood (Credit: WENN)
Kylie Minogue’s Legacy: More Than Just Controversies
In the end, it’s clear who truly emerged victorious. Kylie Minogue, the beloved Australian singer and actress, is widely regarded as a delight by those who have worked with her.
Despite making headlines for various controversies, she has always handled them with grace, proving that resilience and positivity go a long way. We could all take a page from Kylie’s book!
The NME (New Musical Express) Awards are traditionally a celebration of alternative, rock, and metal music. So when Kylie Minogue—dubbed the ‘Goddess of Pop’—made a dazzling appearance at the 2016 ceremony in London, it was an unexpected yet welcome surprise.
Kylie Minogue wears her hair down at the NME Awards at the O2 Academy Brixton on February 17, 2016, in London, England (Credit: Lia Toby / WENN)
The then-47-year-old singer, who had just announced her engagement to British actor Joshua Sasse, arrived at the O2 Academy, Brixton, in a bridal-inspired white lace mini dress and a pair of silver heels.
Kylie Minogue stuns at the 2016 NME Awards in a bridal-inspired white lace mini dress with sheer sleeves and floral appliqués, paired with shimmering silver heels for an effortlessly elegant look (Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN)
Kylie was present at the event to present Coldplay with the Godlike Genius award.
Kylie Minogue wears a white Blumarine dress to the NME Awards (Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN)
The “Spinning Around” singer rocked a white floral embroidered dress from Blumarine’s Resort 2016 collection, which showcased her shapely legs. The dress featured sheer long sleeves, floral appliques, and a thigh-grazing hemline.
Kylie Minogue covers up in a fuzzy coat as she arrives at an awards ceremony (Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN)
Before entering the venue, Kylie wrapped warmly in a furry cream coat. She styled the retro-looking frock with minimal jewelry—including her engagement ring—and finished her outfit with silver heels.
Kylie Minogue’s bridal-inspired lace mini dress accentuated her petite frame, while the high hemline and towering silver Charlotte Olympia platform heels created the illusion of longer, leaner legs
Kylie wore her golden tresses in soft waves with a side part and rounded out her look with smoky eyes and pink lips, which made her look younger than ever.
Kylie Minogue’s feet in shimmering silver Charlotte Olympia platform sandals featuring knotted front straps and a towering block heel, paired with a chic dark pedicure for a polished finish
Kylie’s towering “Vreeland” sandals from Charlotte Olympia’s Resort 2016 Collection added a few extra inches to her height.
Kylie Minogue’s feet in silver “Vreeland” sandals (Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN)
But Kylie isn’t the only celebrity who adores Charlotte Olympia’s signature heels. The same year, Dakota Johnson wore the same heels at London’s National Portrait Gallery with a “liquid gold” dress by Marc Jacobs and Messika jewelry.
Many A-listers have worn the brand’s distinctive designs, making them a staple on red carpets:
Why Celebrities Love Charlotte Olympia Heels
Hailee Steinfeld Shines in Charlotte Olympia at the Met Gala
- Event: 2016 Met Gala
- Outfit: Hailee Steinfeld opted for a custom green H&M gown, standing out amidst a sea of high-end designer dresses.
- Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with gold Charlotte Olympia “Gilda” platform sandals, adding a touch of glamour to her look.
- More Details: Hailee Steinfeld’s Met Gala appearance
Jennifer Hudson’s Vibrant Look with Charlotte Olympia Heels
- Event: 2013 American Music Awards
- Outfit: Jennifer Hudson dazzled in a bright orange Christian Dior high-low dress, showcasing her bold fashion sense.
- Footwear: She paired her vibrant dress with Charlotte Olympia’s “I Heart You” metallic platform sandals, featuring heart-shaped straps that added a playful element to her ensemble.
- More Details: Jennifer Hudson’s standout AMA style
Elizabeth Banks’ Retro Glamour with Charlotte Olympia
- Event: “Power Rangers” Los Angeles Premiere
- Outfit: Elizabeth Banks embraced retro glamour in an electric blue Zuhair Murad jumpsuit, exuding ’80s vibes with its embellished design.
- Footwear: She completed her look with black satin Charlotte Olympia “Paloma” pumps, known for their classic silhouette and subtle fan detailing.
- More Details: Elizabeth Banks’ retro-inspired ensemble
Lindsay Lohan’s Chic Street Style Featuring Charlotte Olympia
- Event: Outing at Chiltern Firehouse, London
- Outfit: Lindsay Lohan showcased a chic street style with a camel coat and blue shirt, accessorized with an oversized orange Hermes purse.
- Footwear: She opted for Charlotte Olympia’s blue mascot-embroidered suede pumps, featuring low-block heels and gold embroidery, adding a whimsical touch to her outfit.
- More Details: Lindsay Lohan’s stylish London outing
Taylor Swift’s Playful Flair with Charlotte Olympia Cat Flats
- Event: BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards
- Outfit: Taylor Swift brightened the red carpet in a chic ensemble, complemented by her choice of footwear.
- Footwear: She donned Charlotte Olympia’s quirky cat flats, adding a playful flair to her look.
- More Details: Taylor Swift’s charming cat flats
These moments highlight Charlotte Olympia’s versatility and appeal among celebrities, offering designs that range from bold statements to elegant classics.
Kylie’s sandals, made of silver lamé fabric, have knotted front straps, buckled ankle-wrap straps, and about six-inch sculpted curved heels. They were inspired by vintage-style icons such as American fashion columnist and editor Diana Vreeland.
Charlotte Olympia ‘Vreeland’ Sandals, $875
While Kylie Minogue’s career has been filled with music, acting, and headline-making moments, her influence in the fashion world is just as striking. From her early days in pop to her red carpet reign, Kylie has never shied away from bold, statement-making looks—often paired with equally dazzling footwear.
Kylie Minogue’s Most Memorable Fashion and Shoe Moments
One of her standout fashion moments came in 2010 when she was spotted in London wearing a Richard Nicoll face-print dress paired with classic Jimmy Choo heels, showcasing her flair for edgy yet sophisticated style.
Fast forward to 2024, and she stunned at the Time 100 Gala in a daring black and silver Elie Saab gown complemented by striking Christian Louboutin sandals—proving her status as a red carpet legend.
For more of Kylie’s most unforgettable fashion and shoe moments, check out our deep dive into her height and favorite shoes!