Kylie Minogue given Billboard Women in Music Icon award, performs with Madonna

Pop fans rejoiced as Kylie Minogue and Madonna took to the stage for the first time together in Los Angeles, capping off a big week for the Aussie who won two major international awards.

It may have taken decades but it was worth the wait for thousands of screaming fans when Kylie Minogue joined Madonna on stage in Los Angeles.

Taking to the stage on International Women’s Day, the pop icons surprised fans at the Kia Forum during night three of Madonna’s Celebration Tour LA stop with a duet of the Minogue 2001 global hit Can’t Get You Out of My Head and Gloria Gaynor’s disco classic, I Will Survive.

Kylie Minogue has appeared on stage with Madonna in Los Angeles. Picture: X

Madonna welcomed “very special guest” Minogue to the stage, giving her a long hug before pointing to a beaming Minogue and saying, “Now, this is what I call a survivor, OK?”

“It’s a privilege for me to be up here singing with you… You’re a fighter, too. God bless you, never give up,” Madonna said.

Minogue told the screaming crowd she felt “amazing” and that the pairing had been a “long, long, long time coming”, adding the two hadn’t performed together before as they both like to “take our time”.

“You live far away; Australia’s far away,” Madonna said.

No better way to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay than these 2 Queens linking up to perform this classic anthem. 👑👯‍♀️ This is history. @Madonna@KylieMinogue#TheCelebrationTourpic.twitter.com/Y2geApiLZ4

— The Kia Forum (@thekiaforum) March 8, 2024

KYLIE MINOGUE AND MADONNA PERFORM 'I WILL SURVIVE' pic.twitter.com/texcWC0Hbu

— Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) March 8, 2024

KYLIE MINOGUE AND MADONNA SINGING 'CANT GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD' pic.twitter.com/UOD2R8Xfoq

— Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) March 8, 2024

And, for those pop fans with a long memory, Minogue paid the ultimate tribute to Madonna by wearing a shirt emblazoned with the icon’s name, continuing a mutual appreciation society that can be traced back decades. Indeed, Madonna wore a “Kylie”-branded shirt when she performed at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm, Sweden back in 2000, with Kylie going on to repeat the favour.

MADONNA INTRODUCES KYLIE @kylieminogue#KylieMinogue#Madonnapic.twitter.com/nzXEb6SzZx

— David Block (@dave_tvnyc) March 8, 2024

Kylie Minogue surprises as special guest for last night of #Madonna's LA tour dates ♥️ singing I Will Survive. pic.twitter.com/xslUxWytAl

— Matt Donnelly (@MattDonnelly) March 8, 2024

“Madonna It’s been a long time coming!!! Loved being with you!!!! Celebration Tour and it is now International Women’s Day …. Thank you and Love Love Love,” Minogue wrote on X, while sharing a clip of her dancing through the crowd to Madonna performing Ray of Light.

MADONNA 💓 It’s been a long time coming!!! LOVED being with you!!!! Celebration Tour AND it is now International Women’s Day …. THANK YOU and LOVE LOVE LOVE 😘😘😘 pic.twitter.com/sjgj7vUt0Z

— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) March 8, 2024

Madonna’s Celebration tour sees the Queen of Pop performing a string of her greatest hits, from “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer” to “Holiday” and “Hung Up”.

KYLIE MINOGUE AND MADONNA AT CELEBRATION TOUR pic.twitter.com/OnKrTXOTux

— Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) March 8, 2024

Madonna’s triumphant Celebration tour sees the pop icon performing her greatest hits, from Vogue and Like a Prayer to Holiday and Ray of Light.

It was rescheduled last year after the superstar contracted a serious bacterial infection that resulted in a stay in intensive care.

MINOGUE AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Minogue is a wanted woman in the US, and is now double the pop icon she was a week ago.

The Australian pop superstar’s renaissance era, sparked by the success of her irresistible earworm Padam Padam, reached another milestone when she was crowned with the Billboard Women in Music Icon award in Los Angeles.

The latest recognition of her stellar career came in the same week she was named the Global Icon at the Brit Awards in London.

Minogue looked chic in a figure-hugging black gown at the ceremony which also featured Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha, Ice Spice and Charli XCX.

Kylie Minogue the Icon at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Award. Picture: AFP

On the red carpet before the awards, Minogue said this wildly successful new chapter of her career, which includes her Las Vegas residency in support of her latest record Tension, has made her “love it more than I’ve ever loved it.”

“To have this moment where it feels like it was meant to be, but it wasn’t something that I was aiming for, feels so refreshing and amazing to, once again, like in the ‘80s, have this multi-generational moment. It’s truly beautiful and heartwarming,” she told People.

After the awards, an ecstatic Minogue posted her gratitude for the recognition, with her sister Dannii and Delta Goodrem among those who congratulated the pop icon.

“Billboard … thank you for this amazing moment celebrating #WomenInMusic!! So honoured to bring this beautiful memory (and crystal dream) home. Tonight (and the last few days for that matter) have been just BEYOND! My love and thanks to all!!!!!”, she posted.

Among those cheering her on was Barbie; Minogue also received her own “Padam Barbie” doll this week.

The pop legend continues her Las Vegas residency until May and is yet to reveal her plans for the second half of 2024.

She recently signed a deal with Hollywood powerbrokers United Talent Agency who are plotting a North American tour and potential acting roles.

Originally published as Kylie Minogue given Billboard Women in Music Icon award, performs with Madonna