Kylie Minogue's AFL Grand Final Performance Draws Mixed Reactions Amidst Designer Outfits
Pop star Kylie Minogue performed at the AFL Grand Final in custom Dolce & Gabbana ensembles, but audience response was divided.
Kylie Minogue sported a series of custom-made outfits by Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana during her performance at the 2026 AFL Grand Final on Saturday night. The ensembles, personally designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, included a mini dress made from a vintage shirt, a mesh tank top with ribbons, and a Chantilly lace and crystal dress paired with Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses.
The mesh tank top featured specific nods to the Australian Football League, with show notes from the label detailing a custom belt crafted from a safety belt, adorned with fringe made from ribbons, Swarovski crystals, and shoelaces, incorporating football references. The dress was designed to evoke Minogue's iconic looks from 2002 and included sport-inspired lettering made with gold hotfix crystals.
Minogue, 58, performed a 20-minute set at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, reportedly earning $3 million for the gig. However, the public reception to her performance was largely divided. Many viewers expressed disappointment online, with some describing the show as "horrendously bad" and criticizing the audio quality and vocal performance.
"So far Kylie isn't really doing it for me," one user commented, while another added, "Kylie doing karaoke versions of her own songs." A third viewer stated, "Kylie is an Aussie icon but this well this has been horrendously bad." Concerns were also raised about the band not playing live and the overall sound quality, with some describing it as "very very ordinary."
Despite the criticism, some fans defended Minogue's performance, with one user calling it "the greatest pre-game performance of all time!" Another commenter wrote, "Gotta say Kylie is killing it at the pre-game entertainment! Absolutely brilliant!!" Others suggested that critics "need to learn how to have fun."
Minogue opened her set with "Love At First Sight," followed by "Your Eyes," "On A Night Like This," and her 2000 hit "Spinning Around." She was also joined on stage by Australian composer William Barton and later by comedy duo The Inspired Unemployed for a rendition of "The Loco-Motion."
