Kim Wilde escapes the nest

Do you remember her? The wild thing who made her name with her 'Kids in America' four years ago? A fresh, new sound that seduced the young listeners. A new star was born. Her name: Kim Wilde. She shone with giant hits. But then there was the sudden decline. Eightteen months ago her last records was released. Barely noticed. It became very silent around Kim. The end of a fairy tale? No, because now she's here again. With a new record, a new image and... a new interview.

Four years ago 'Kids in America' turned all the charts upside down. Kim Wilde was the revelation: five hits - amongst which the tracks that are very wellknown to Flemish ears 'View from a bridge' and 'Cambodia'- she had, but after that her fairytale world fell apart. The big star seemed to become a passing meteorite. But this was denying the character of the Wildes: all the family (kim's music and lyrics are written by her father and her brother) sat around the kitchen table nervously to decide on the course of Kim's future.
But shortly before the 34th birthday, the daughter realises that she can stand on her own two feet. Kim: "The men have always found that they had to protect me. But that's over for good: I can handle myself very well. I am not a feminist. But I do feel independent. When you're not independent, you can forget about everyhing."
It's obvious that little Kim wanted to escape from the protectionist environment of her father Marty Wilde, the British popstar from the Fifties and Sixties.

Fleeing the nest

Kim - who is really called Smith (is there a more English surname?) - lives in a luxury house in Hertfordshire. Her brother Ricky wrote the songs and produced her sister as well.
But now Kim is going her own way. She changed record companies and her image. In the north of London she hired an apartment, which she is said to share with 30 year old saxophonist Gary Barnacle, who is playing with Elvis Costello's band The Attractions currently.
Kim and Gary met each other two years ago during a tour. After the fatiguing performances they enjoyed a holiday in the Caribbean together.
"I left home because I wanted to. It was my decision. I decorated my apartment myself. I'm still good friends with my father, but I got to a point where I needed more privacy. In my room at home I didn't have enough space to write songs, to relax or to take care of myself.

Kim's last record was released 18 months ago. In pop terms it's an eternity. The big posters which seemed to hang on every street corner have long since turned yellow.
Her sexy image is still there, though. "Image means nothing to me", Kim says. "My new record firm may want to play on it, but I don't. They present me as strong, feminine and courageous. I just want to bring entertainment."
"I read interviews all the time with popstars who are nagging about how difficult a time they have. I don't ever do that. I just think: if there is a chance, I'll take it. I want to present myself better than ever, not hold back like I did in the old days. And then the succes will come..."