Kylie Minogue’s love life and brutal real reason she split with Jason Donovan
As Kylie Minogue reunites with her ex boyfriend Jason Donovan for the final ever episode of Neighbours, we take look back at some of the other leading men in her life
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Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan star in Neighbours in 1986
She famously sang I Should be So Lucky – and although it scored her a hit single Kylie Minogue has been anything but lucky when it comes to her love life.
The Princess of Pop has definitely had her fair share of heartbreak over the years, from cheating scandals to called off engagements.
But the 54-year-old, who is now loved-up with Paul Solomons, has also broken a few hearts along the way, too.
The most notable of her romances is that of her Neighbours’ co-star Jason Donovan, who she found real-life love with offscreen after their characters Scott and Charlene were matched on the soap.
As they reunite as Scott and Charlene for the very final episode of the Australian soap, which has been axed after 37 years, we look back on their love story and some of the other leading men in Kylie’s life from the 80s until now…
Jason Donovan
Kylie and Jason shot to fame in Neighbours
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( Getty Images)
They recently reprised their roles as Scott and Charlene
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( Instagram)
Kylie and Jason were everyone’s favourite couple in the 1980s.
And then, when it was revealed they were dating in real life after starring together as Scott and Charlene in Neighbours, it seemed like true love.
They sent fans wild when they released the duet ballad Especially For You.
But as the pair embarked on successful music careers as solo artists, it meant they were often apart as they travelled the world.
One heartbreaking day, Kylie made the decision to end her three-year romance with Jason – as she had met and fallen in love with INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.
Onscreen love spilled over into real life
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( Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock)
But she ended up breaking his heart
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( Gie Knaeps)
Jason received a devastating phone call that he later admitted would impact his life for years to come.
He was working in New York and Kylie was in Japan when she called her and told him it was over between them.
Too Many Broken Hearts singer Jason was left heartbroken, which he said took “years” to get over.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2016 the now 54-year-old shared: “It was an extremely painful parting of ways, and without a doubt I took a long time to recover from it. Years definitely.”
Jason admitted the fact Michael was the coolest guy around at the time made things harder for him.
“It was bad enough she’d run off with anybody, but she happened to run into the arms of the greatest rock god of the period – the very guy I secretly wanted to be.
“That was a pretty big punch to take,” Jason admitted.
Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence swept Kylie off her feet
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( Andrew Murray/REX/Shutterstock)
They remained close until his tragic death in 1997
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( Redferns)
Kylie and Michael only dated for 18 months before he ran off with Danish supermodel Helena Christensen.
Although she was heartbroken at the time, she admits their short-lived relationship “corrupted” her in the “most perfect of ways”.
Their first electric encounter was in a bar in 1989 when Michael told her: “I don’t know what we should do first, have lunch or have sex.”
As things heated up between the pair, previously squeaky clean Kylie revealed she had “lots of firsts” with the rockstar.
Things she admitted to doing included taking ecstasy during what she dubbed a “wild phase” in her life.
Kylie previously said: “I had my phase. When I was going out a lot, it was a great time in my life. We really got into the dance culture. But we’ve become such prudes. Anyway you’re only meant to do ecstasy for a certain phase in your life.”
She also hit the headlines for allegedly joining the Mile High Club on a Qantas flight where they were sat behind then-Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Kylie dated Michael from 1989 to 1991
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( Daily Mirror)
Kylie and Michael reportedly had a racy sex life
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( Getty Images)
While Kylie has never confirmed the rumours, her pal Nick Egan claimed it happened in the first class section – and rather than head to the toilet, Kylie was on Michael’s lap under a blanket.
On another holiday with Michael, handcuffs were found in Kylie’s hand luggage as she went through security.
She was quick to insist they were the quirky handle to one of her handbags, but many were unconvinced knowing of Michael’s high profile kinky antics.
The INXS star went on to date Helena for four years after dumping Kylie. He was tragically found dead in a hotel room at the age of 37 in 1997.
The pair had remained good friends up until his passing and Kylie later described their relationship as “beautiful and amazing”.
Lenny Kravitz
Kylie was briefly linked to Lenny Kravitz
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( Getty)
Although Lenny Kravitz never officially became Kylie’s boyfriend, the pair are said to have been romantically involved.
Kylie and Lenny are said to have enjoyed a brief fling in the early 90s, but both have remained tight-lipped about what happened.
Although It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over singer Lenny has hinted any stories he has to tell about Kylie will appear in his next book.
When quizzed by the Herald Sun about his alleged romance Kylie, he said: “Ha! I’ve always been very open and honest, so anything that happened in my life will be in there. But it’ll be a while before the next book.”
Stéphane Sednaoui
Kylie dated French actor Stéphane Sednaoui in the 90s
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( Getty)
Her hit Breathe is said to be inspired by him
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( Getty)
Kylie dated French actor, director and photographer Stéphane Sednaoui in the mid 90s between 1996 and 1998 in what became known as her ‘kooky’ phase.
The couple were in a relationship for two years and Stéphane is said to have inspired her hit single Breathe.
Kylie is said to have written the song in Tokyo, but we’re not sure what her ex would make of the lyrics.
They include: “Don’t blame me just because I’m bored.”
James Gooding
Kylie moved on with model James Gooding
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( PA)
But they split after claims he cheated on her
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( Getty)
Kylie dated former model James Gooding for three years from 2000 to 2003.
But their romance wasn’t to last and after cheating on her with model Sophie Dahl he went on to do a tell-all interview about her.
James, who is no longer in the spotlight, branded Kylie a “self-obsessed, virtually friendless control freak”.
Revealing the real reason behind their split, Kylie hit back claiming the end of their romance was “all down to him taking drugs and boozing”.
In a 2003 interview with The People, she said: “I was madly in love with James from the beginning but it all went so badly wrong.
“He couldn’t live without sniffing a line of cocaine or drinking heavily.”
She admitted she let their relationship drag on far too long, adding: “I should have ditched him before the entire thing got messy.”
Olivier Martinez
Kylie and Olivier Martinez famously dated for five years
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( Getty)
Kylie found love again with French actor Olivier Martinez in 2003, a few months after she had split with James.
The couple seemed perfect for each other and their romance lasted five years.
Olivier was there to support Kylie as she received her devastating breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 36 in 2005.
She told Elle magazine at the time: “On particular dark days, I’d be lying on the bathroom floor wailing and he’d say, ‘OK, honey, you can cry for just five minutes, then I’m taking you on the bike for a ride around Paris’.”
But the pair decided to go their separate ways in 2007.
There were allegations he had cheated, but in a joint statement they both denied that was the case.
“Olivier Martinez and Kylie Minogue have officially confirmed that they are no longer a couple. They have made it clear that the decision to go their separate ways was mutual and amicable,” the statement said.
“The media’s false accusations of disloyalty have saddened them both. The two remain very close friends.”
Andres Velencoso
Next Kylie met Spanish model Andres Velencoso
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( WireImage)
They were together five years until busy schedules split them up
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( Getty)
After being single for a year, Kylie began a relationship with Spanish model Andres Velencoso.
The pair met while filming an advert for her 2008 perfume range and things quickly turned romantic.
They went on to date for five years until 2013, but in the end “conflicting work schedules” drove them apart.
Speaking after their split, Kylie said: “I was very sad. You come out the other side of that, being super busy and on the cusp of so many new things help to move on.”
Gushing about her ex, she added: “It was an amicable separation. I still love Andres. He’s the nicest guy, he’s the coolest guy.”
Joshua Sasse
Kylie then dated British Actor Joshua Sasse
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( PA)
The pair were engaged until he was suspected of cheating
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( Getty)
It seemed like Kylie has finally found The One when she began dating British actor Joshua Sasse in 2015.
The pair even got engaged in February 2016 with Josh referring to Kylie as his fiancée at the NME Awards.
Unfortunately cheating allegations surfaced again and the pair went their separate ways in 2017.
She later said she was “deluded” to have thought their relationship was going to work out.
“I think we all know that things were not going great in my relationship,” Kylie admitted.
“But you know when you’re kind of deluded and you’re thinking maybe… maybe this needs saving. Turns out it didn’t.”
Then aged 49, Kylie said her split from Joshua led to her looking into having a child without a partner, but she decided she was happier being an aunty.
She told Vogue Australia at the time: “I mean if I was to meet anyone… the chances are pretty high that that person would have children anyway. So I think it’s more likely in that vein, than having children of my own.”
Paul Solomons
Kylie finally found love with British GQ boss Paul Solomons
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( Getty)
Although Kylie has moved back to Australia, her and Paul are still together
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( Getty)
Since 2018 Kylie has been in a relationship with Paul Solomons, Creative Director of British GQ magazine.
The 46-year-old Welshman has seemingly swept Kylie off her feet.
She confirmed their relationship on her 50th birthday by sharing a sweet snap of the pair together.
There were rumours the pair were engaged and planning a secret wedding in Kylie’s native Melbourne, but she denied this saying they are “happy as they are”.
Speaking about how things are going, Kylie told The Jonathan Ross Show. “It’s going great, it’s fabulous.
“Just when you think that ‘will it ever happen?’ and it came and surprised me.”
Although Kylie has now moved back to Australia and Paul remains in the UK, they insist they are still “very much a couple”.
While Paul seems set against the move at the minute, the Aussie star believes he might change his tune down the line.
“‘Who knows?,” she said. “We’re making it up [as we go]. We don’t know what the future holds.”
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