How Kim (24) made her comeback: back on top as 'Barbarella'!

For fallen pop idols usually the same thing goes as for fallen boxing stars: 'They never come back'. Kim Wilde, on top of things four years ago with her debut hit "Kids in America" and since one year forgotten with flops like "Dancing in the dark", made her comeback nonetheless: with the rocking dance song "The second time" she is back on the top.

The wild blonde manes have stayed, but almost everything else has changed. On stage she wears a skintight green/black fantasy uniform, which reminds a bit of Superman, "Barbarelle of the pop scene" the English press have called her and they weren't totally off with that.
"Yes, I always liked Barbarella, as a teenager I read these comics like crazy", Kim says. "When I was thinking about a new image, this idea simply came up quickly."
The image was worked out by the London advertising agency XL Design/Big Production, who recently have had some successes with the scandalous image of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and also made the first videos by Nik Kershaw. Does it mean that artists are being pushed like washing powder in the market?
"It's not like that, they can't sell a bad product, whether it's washing powder or a bad record", says Kim. "But one should also lose the idea that an artist is simply waiting for flashes of genius, which he or she records on a record and performs on stage. Of course rock 'n' roll is a business, in which different forces work together - everything from a record cover to a newspaper ad has to be made. No-one can do it all themselves. I can only try to have complete control over everything. When I don't like something, it ends up in the bin."
Back to the new image. Until now Kim performed in jeans, men's jackets and second hand clothes. Now she looks more attractive and even a lot more erotic. How did she arrive at this change?
"At first I was a college girl, who became a popstar overnight and couldn't quite cope with this sudden career. I was very shy and I hid myself a bit. Now I am 24 and I have developed myself a lot over the past year, while I started composing and writing. Today I see my comeback as a new chance to show myself to the audience and give everything I can. I have become more extraverted and more direct."
When will we be able to see this new Kim Wilde on stage? "I am preparing my new show right now, I will do rehearsals in January and then go on tour in February. Through all of Europe with at least a dozen concerts in Germany. I will play in smaller halls with a maximum of 1500 capacity - to have more contact with the fans."
How will Kim Wilde present herself?
"I will not use big effects. What should come across is my personality. What fascinated me is for instance Tina Turner, my absolute favourite singer. She could perform with candlelight and still bring a hall to boiling point. I don't want to compare myself with Tina Turner, but I want to bring a lot of power into a gig myself."
Last question: will Gary Barnacle go on tour with her, the saxophonist who's Kim's boyfriend for more than a year? "That hasn't been decided yet, because Gary plays in Elvis Costello's band and doesn't know whether he will be available at the time of my tour. Although many newspaper say differently, we're still together, even if we have separate apartments - but that's got nothing to do with our friendship or love!"
And then Kim adds without us asking: "Gary and I will fly for a sunny vacation for ten days after the holidays - maybe Mauritius or Hawaii. That's the Christmas gift I've afforded myself. I have passed on the traditional annual skiing holiday with my friends for this..."