Kim Wilde is a big star, but it wasn’t so long ago that she was your age and had the same problems all adolescents have. Today, the princess of rock confides in you exclusively and tells about her adolescence.
Kim, did you have a happy childhood?
I was almost always happy as a girl, with the highs and lows everyone has of course. I loved my dad, I knew that Marty Wilde was a wellknown singer but I was very young when he was at his most successful to really appreciate it. Later on, I accompanied him at performances. It wasn’t always in the most fashionable places, but it was always very nice and friendly. After the concerts people always came to congratulate me. It’s when I made my first steps into showbusiness.
How much pocket money did you have?
I got 5 francs a week, which I spent on candy. On Saturday we went on our bikes to get our small presents. At the time, one could buy more for that money! I remember the day Mars were introduced. It was a drama!
Did you have a good relationship with your parents?
I’ve always had a good understanding with them. Sure, there were disputes from time to time, when I wanted to go out at night for example. All girls know how it is. But my parents weren’t ogres and I tried not to blame them.
What did you want to become when you would become older?
I was becoming difficult to live with because I felt frustrated in class. I knew I wanted to become a singer, but I didn’t know how to go about doing this. I rowed in class, I felt like I was wasting my time. Dad was away a lot but mum knew how I felt. She knew that I really wanted to sing.
And school?
The only thing I was really good at in school was drawing. In fact, everything that pushed my creative side. I even inscribed in dance classes and drama classes. It’s creativity that interests me. Unfortunately, at the time I didn’t have the best teeth, too big and irregular which gave me horrible embarrassment. I’ve had them done since.
Have you done studies?
After highschool I went to art college to study art and art history. I almost got my diploma too! I became my own enemy… I did not work with enough diligence and I even ended up getting kicked. I wanted one thing, it was to sing. After leaving the college, I found myself helpless. I tried to be part of different groups, but I was still too young. And then, Hertfordshire where we lived at the time, was not really the capital of music!
How did it start?
My brother Ricky was writing some songs and things started form there. The third song he wrote was called “Kids in America”. It became a huge success, and after that things went very very fast!
Do you have any advice for success?
From the bottom of my heart, I’ve always been sure that I would make it. I am the only one who is in charge of my fate and it will always be that way. To succeed, you need to want something so badly, that you will never stop trying. It was always so in my case. Wanting something means you have to want something.