Dannii Minogue, the iconic Australian singer and actress, has opened up about how her early acting role on Home and Away helped her navigate the pressures of fame and stay grounded

in an industry notorious for consuming young stars. The 54-year-old superstar, who first captured hearts as a ten-year-old on the legendary Australian talent show Young Talent Time,

reflected on her formative years in showbiz and the unique way her rebellious role shaped her resilience.

From Child Star to Rebellious Teen

After leaving Young Talent Time in 1988, Dannii, then just 17, was cast in Channel Seven’s long-running soap Home and Away, taking on the role of Emma Jackson—a spirited, defiant teenager whose antics kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Playing Emma from 1989 to 1990, Dannii described the character as a safe outlet for the rebellion and teenage angst she might otherwise have acted out in real life.

Speaking to News Corp ahead of her much-anticipated return to acting in the Channel Ten drama The Imposter, Dannii reflected on how Emma Jackson allowed her to channel her teenage defiance in a controlled, creative environment. “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 revealed. “‘My friend said, ‘That is so not you,’ and I said: ‘But it was really good for me to act it out because then I never had that rebellion after leaving Young Talent Time.’”

For Dannii, Emma Jackson was more than just a character—she was a vital safety valve. “I never had the Britney Spears shaving my hair off moment,” she admitted. “I never had that, and I really feel that year of just getting that out of my system was incredible.” Unlike other child stars whose personal struggles have been broadcast for the world to see, Dannii credits her Home and Away experience with providing a grounding force that kept her on the straight and narrow.

Battling Criticism and Comparison

The challenges of fame did not disappear after Emma Jackson’s final scenes. Over the years, Dannii has faced relentless scrutiny, often in the shadow of her globally renowned sister, Kylie Minogue. She recently revealed on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast how the constant comparisons and “nasty comments” threatened her mental health. “I’ve said this to my friends: ‘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.’ That is fact,” she confessed. “It was so brutal, and it went on for years.”

Dannii’s honesty sheds light on the unique pressures faced by young performers in the public eye. Despite media attempts to frame a rivalry with Kylie, the sisters remain fiercely supportive of one another. “I was compared to my sister, who’s always had a completely different body shape our entire lives,” she explained. “I wasn’t living up to her body. At the time, the only body shape that was accepted was slim. I was a square trying to fit into a hole. You read back now how nasty the comments were.”

This candid reflection highlights how Home and Away’s structured environment offered Dannii a stabilizing anchor amid the chaos of fame. Acting as Emma Jackson gave her a space to explore rebellion safely, and the lessons learned during that period would fortify her against later challenges in both her personal and professional life.

Family and Finding Balance

Today, Dannii’s priorities have shifted toward family, balance, and meaningful work. She shares her life with music producer Adrian Newman and has devoted herself to raising their 14-year-old son, Ethan, born in 2010. Reflecting on her past, she admits that years spent traveling the globe and working relentlessly often meant missing out on key family milestones. “I’ve spent my life traveling around the world, being away, missing birthdays, weddings, funerals,” she said. “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.”

The star’s focus on family and mental wellbeing has become a defining feature of her career and personal life. By choosing roles carefully and maintaining her strength, Dannii has managed to sustain a successful career while avoiding the pitfalls that have beset many young stars in the entertainment industry.

Returning to Acting: The Imposter

After more than three decades away from acting, Dannii is set to make a highly anticipated return to screens in the four-part murder mystery drama The Imposter, airing on Channel Ten. Fans can look forward to seeing her share the screen with some of Australia’s most beloved television stars, including former Coronation Street favourite Kym Marsh and Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne.

For viewers, Dannii’s comeback is more than a return to acting—it is a testament to her enduring talent and resilience. From her early days as a ten-year-old prodigy to her rebellious role as Emma Jackson and now as a mature performer, Dannii’s journey embodies both the highs and the challenges of growing up in the public eye.

Lessons Learned from Emma Jackson

Looking back, Dannii credits her time on Home and Away with teaching her lessons that extend far beyond the screen. Emma Jackson’s wild antics allowed her to express a youthful defiance safely, providing a release that kept her grounded. This creative outlet, combined with a supportive work environment and strong family values, ultimately shielded her from the more destructive aspects of fame.

“I never had the Britney Spears moment, the public meltdown that many young stars experience,” she reflected. “That year of being able to act out my rebellion in a safe way was so important. It gave me perspective and strength that carried me through everything else in life.”

Her reflections resonate not only with fans but also with anyone navigating the pressures of public scrutiny or early success. By embracing her role as Emma Jackson and learning to channel her rebellious energy constructively, Dannii avoided the pitfalls that have sidelined other talented young performers.

Looking Ahead

As Dannii prepares to return to acting, her focus remains on meaningful work that allows her to balance career and family. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how early challenges, when navigated wisely, can lead to personal growth and resilience. Fans can look forward to seeing her bring depth, intensity, and emotional nuance to The Imposter, confident that the lessons learned in Home and Away have only strengthened her as a performer.

From teenage rebel to seasoned artist, Dannii Minogue’s story is one of perseverance, self-awareness, and grace under pressure. Her candid reflections on fame, family, and mental wellbeing provide a rare glimpse into the realities behind the celebrity persona, reminding audiences that the brightest stars are often those who know how to remain grounded even amid the glare of the spotlight.

Three decades after her breakout role, Dannii is ready to shine once again, proving that the rebellious spirit of Emma Jackson lives on—but now with the wisdom and resilience of a life fully lived.