She became a music icon after releasing the 1981 hit Kids In America which peaked at number 2 in the UK and sold over three million records worldwide.
But over four decades after rising to fame and dominating the charts, Kim Wilde has admitted it’s a “pleasant surprise” that fans still love her music and are willing to buy tickets to see her on stage to see.
In a candid new interview, the 61-year-old singer said: “I didn’t really think there would be an audience for me now that she was a married mother of two as opposed to being single in her twenties – something from her prime .
I still get it: Over four decades after Kim Wilde rose to fame and dominated the charts, she’s admitted it’s a “pleasant surprise” that fans still love her music
As she prepares for a new nationwide tour, the pop star reflected on her long career and shared her delight at her fans’ continued support, noting that many of them “grew up” with her.
She told The Mirror: “I didn’t really think there would be an audience for me as a married mother of two. I thought all of Kim Wilde’s romance was being single and 21. This is a different Kim Wilde than the one being presented to you. But the audience loves it, which is a nice surprise.
The star went on to say that her followers have embraced her age and that she feels relaxed and happy enough to be herself on stage.
Chart-topping: She became a music icon after releasing the 1981 hit Kids In America, which peaked at number 2 in the UK and sold over three million records worldwide (pictured in 1985).
She explained, “I think my audience grew up with me, so there’s a feeling that we’re all in this together, there’s something joyful about it. I love singing my hits, I love how it brings so much happiness to my audience and I love how generous they are to me. You know I’m 61 – no one pretends; they get warts and stuff.’
But while Kim loves being in the spotlight and belting out her biggest hits, including You Keep Me Hangin’ On, Cambodia and Checkered Love, things weren’t always so rosy as the star shunned the spotlight while peaking at her Fame.
The star retired from the music industry to pursue a reclusive life with her actor husband Hal Fowler, 54, and their two children, Harry, now 23, and Rose, now 21, with Kim starring in her iconic Kids In America track blamed.
She explained how she had to “say goodbye” to the song after she was “defined by it, having sung it consistently for 16 years.”
Open: The 61-year-old singer shared: “I didn’t really think there was going to be an audience for me now that she was a married mother of two as opposed to her single mid-20s heyday
She explained, “I got tired of singing it, which was one of the reasons I gave it up. I fell in love with it. I was defined by this song from the ages of 20 to 36 and there was a part of it that was pretty limiting so I had to stop.
The blonde bombshell went on to say that she needed some time off as the “turmoil” of being a pop star was getting “tiring” and that after deciding to start a family with Hal, it seemed like a “really good time” to start to take a break music career.
After the couple married within six months of meeting, Kim shared how she reveled in her newfound anonymity after changing her last name to his, adding, “It was amazing.”
Performer: “I love singing my hits, I love how it brings so much happiness to my audience and I love how generous they are to me. You know I’m 61 – no one pretends; They get me warts and all 9 pictured in 2020)
After venturing into another gardening career, Kim shared how she was “tempted” by the ’80s revival circuit to return to her old music life and felt it was finally “coming full circle.” , after falling in love with her songs again.
Kim’s international anthem “Kids In America” was the work of her brother Ricky and her father, original British rock ‘n’ roller Marty Wilde, and at one point she was publishing 60,000 copies a day.
She had seven other UK top ten singles but never a number one, however her re-imagining of the Motown classic You Keep Me Hangin’ On which topped the US Billboard chart in 1986.
Breakup: Kim went on to say that she needed some time off as the “turmoil” of being a pop star was getting “tiring” and that after deciding to start a family with Hal, it seemed like a “really good time” to start to take a break from music career (pictured with Hal and Rose in 2000)
Last year she spoke of missing out in Britain but achieving US triumph she said: “Although having a No. 1 in America almost made up for it.”
She sold more than 30 million records and won hearts for her drop-dead good looks – something of which she was very proud.
She said: “I’m so thankful I got my mum’s beautiful nose and my dad’s fabulous mouth,” but admitted she was bullied for her “Mick Jagger lips.”
Speaking of her figure, she continued: “I had long legs and they went well with jeans. I knew how to wear a pair of jeans, that’s for sure.”
Back: After venturing into another gardening career, Kim opened up about how she was “tempted” by the ’80s revival circuit to return to her old music life and felt like she was finally “coming full circle.” closed”.