Entertainment

Pop’s hottest 45-year-old still in Vogue

Back in 2012, Kylie Minogue had an epiphany. The Aussie star was celebrating 25 years since her arrival into the music world and subsequent ascent to a pop-icon status that (outside the US, at least) rivals Madonna. But during the year-long run of festivities — including a short tour, a retrospective album and high-profile shows such as Sydney Mardi Gras and Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Concert — Minogue remembers sitting at home one day and looking at her future.

“I had a vision of the horizon with nothing on it,” she tells The Post. “There was a lot of looking back during [2012] and it made me think, ‘Oh God, is that it? Am I just going to go around in circles now?’ I didn’t feel like I wanted to repeat myself.”

Minogue’s vision inspired her to kick-start the next phase of her career. She ditched the management team that guided her through that first quarter of a century and instead signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation. After a year of clearing the decks, Minogue has returned with a fresh outlook and a reinvigorated sound on her twelfth album, “Kiss Me Once,” out Tuesday.

“During that moment of clarity, I felt very calm and clear about what I needed to do,” she recalls. “I wish I had more clear moments like that in my life!”

Being on Roc Nation obviously has its perks: The album is packed with an army of A-list songwriters and producers, including Ariel Rechtshaid (Vampire Weekend, Sky Ferreira), Sia Furler (Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera) and man-of-the-moment Pharrell Williams.

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Minogue's cover for her latest CD, "Kiss Me Once."AP
Minogue and Pharrell Williams present the award for International Male Solo Artist at the 2014 BRIT Awards.WireImage
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Minogue at the Elle Style Awards in London, England in February. Getty Images
Minogue performs during the "Colette French Kiss Party" in Paris February 14th. startraksphoto.com
Minogue surprises pub-goers with a surprise gig at The Old Blue in London.Getty Images
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Minogue at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards. Startraksphoto.cpom
Minogue at a photocall to launch her book 'Kylie/Fashion' in London November, 2012. Getty Images
Minogue at Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year Awards June, 2013. Startraksphoto.com
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Minogue performs live on the Italian version of 'The X Factor' December, 2012. Splash News
Minogue at the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition in NYC May, 2013.FilmMagic
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“We had a couple of days working together in Los Angeles,” remembers Minogue of Williams. “On the second day, I was having one of the days when you just don’t feel like yourself. I tried to keep a poker face, but I arrived to work and the first person I saw was Pharrell. He asked me how I was, and I just burst into tears.” After comforting her, Williams then wrote the album track “I Was Gonna Cancel” on the spot. “Pharrell has a lot of heart and humanity,” Minogue adds.

Another striking facet of “Kiss Me Once” is how sexy and sultry the 45-year-old singer sounds. During 2013, she split with her boyfriend of five years, Spanish model Andrés Velencoso — and judging by song titles such as “Sexy Love,” “Les Sex” and “Sexercize,” she seems to be enjoying the single life.

“They say that if you’re talking about it a lot, you’re not actually doing it,” laughs Minogue. “There hasn’t been much time for that because I’ve been so busy with work.”

It sounds like a total cop-out, but the story seems to check out: Aside from launching her new album, she is also currently a coach on both the UK and Australian versions of “The Voice.”

“Being busy is good for heartbreak,” says Minogue. “But I haven’t become a nun or anything!”