Dannii Minogue on the cover of January 2011 Marie Claire and wearing Valentino in a photo from the accompanying spread. Images: Jonty Davies forMarie Claire
Dannii Minogue's on top of the world these days, so much so that it's difficult to believe the mother, model, X Factor judge, designer, perfumer and author used to be thought of as "the other Minogue." So who better to star as January 2011's cover girl for Marie Claire?
"Can you imagine for years being asked what it's like to be Kylie's sister?" Dannii tells the mag. "The journalist would try asking another couple of questions before embarking on another barrage about Kylie. I would be like, "If you want to interview her, then here's her number." She adds that moving to England from Australia wasn't the easiest transition. "When I first came over here it was hard because it was Kyliemania. She was this cute little thing and I was the fat, ugly sister."
Fat? Ugly? Hardly! Dannii looks stunning in the photos shot by Jonty Davies and styled by the magazine's fashion director, Jayne Pickering, as she models dresses from her Project D collection and poses in a paparazzi-inspired image wearing a flowing Valentino gown as she opens up about babies, boyfriends and X Factor mania.
The 39-year-old also talks about her friendship with Britain's sweetheart, Cheryl Cole. "Cheryl's always been there for me when I've had a hard time," she tells the mag. And it sounds like her co-judge is just as impressed with her juggling skills as the rest of us. "Cheryl said to me the other day, 'I don't know how you're doing all this. I know how crazy it is when all the contestants are running in and out and I have no make-up on. And then I think of you trying to fit in feeding the baby as well.'"
One thing's for sure: Dannii's definitely a star in her own right these days, no longer in anyone's shadow. "Yeah, it's come together," she says. "I suppose I've endured things when they haven't gone right. I guess it's my turn now to enjoy what is going right."
To read the feature in full, see the January issue of Marie Claire, on sale this Thursday. For more Dannii, go to www.marieclaire.co.uk/danniiminogue.