Their turbulent relationship played a significant role in the rock ‘n’ roll excesses that characterized Pete Doherty’s chaotic life in the mid-2000s, at the height of his fame with The Libertines.
But sixteen years after her short-lived romance ended and living quietly in a remote French retreat with wife Katia de Vidas, the reformed hell-raiser is still surrounded by memories of supermodel Kate Moss.
In the latest episode of Louis Theroux Interviews, Doherty, 44, gave the documentary filmmaker a tour of his self-proclaimed “studio,” a dusty back room filled with memorabilia from his colorful life and time at The Libertines and later Babyshambles.
The charismatic musician, who has now been clean for three years after overcoming a highly publicized addiction to crack, cocaine and heroin during the pandemic, revealed he still has one of Kate’s personalized suitcases.
Designed by British luxury goods brand Asprey, the brown leather case featured an interior leather trim that read “KATE MOSS – DO NOT TOUCH.”
Opening: Pete Doherty reflected on his relationship with Kate Moss in a new BBC documentary with Louis Theroux
A shock from the past: the charismatic musician revealed that he still has one of Kate’s personalized suitcases
Property of Kate: Designed by British luxury goods brand Asprey, the brown leather case featured an interior leather trim that read, “KATE MOSS – DO NOT TOUCH.”
“I noticed this,” Louis commented on the personalized branding.
“Oh my God and mine,” Pete added. “It’s an old suitcase that had a lot of stuff in it.” I hadn’t opened it for ages and boom! If I opened it, don’t touch it. It’s a strange thing to have in your suitcase.’
“Especially in your suitcase,” Louis remarked. “By the time you open it, it’ll be too late.”
Among the stacks of photographs and surviving newspapers, some documenting his high-profile drug-related arrests, Doherty also discovered an old photo of himself posing next to a collage of Kate in the National Portrait Gallery.
“You’re starting to give the impression that I have this locker full of Kate Moss memories or something,” he joked. “This is complete coincidence.”
Doherty went on to reveal that he recently saw the supermodel in a television commercial and admitted that it was a reminder of why he was cold about the three-year relationship.
“I saw her in a Coca-Cola advert the other day,” he said, mimicking the model’s south London tone. “She said that to her assistant in the morning, and then I found out that Donald Trump was doing the same thing, and that put me off a little bit.”
“What, drinking cola?” asked Louis.
Remember that? Doherty also discovered an old photo of himself posing next to a collage of Kate at the National Portrait Gallery
Iconic couple: Their turbulent relationship played a significant role in the rock ‘n’ roll excesses that defined Pete Doherty’s chaotic life in the mid-2000s
“Well, I order it from her assistant all the time,” he replied.
Doherty and Libertines bandmate Carl Barât also recalled a difficult time in the group’s history when Theroux visited them on tour.
Doherty said he was “on his honeymoon with crack and heroin”, which led to him being expelled from the band, before breaking into Carl’s apartment.
I said to Louis, “They did these gigs without me, they did Glastonbury without me and I walked past.” [to his home] asking him to say, “I know you’re worried about the drugs, but please don’t go on without me.”
Barât then revealed that his friend’s increasing addiction had made it impossible for him to meet the band’s schedule and commitments.
Doherty, now healthy and happily married to filmmaker Katia de Vidas, explained how he had pushed open his friend’s front door in a desperate attempt to stay in the group, only to find no one was home.
Reminder: Doherty went on to reveal that he recently saw the supermodel in a TV commercial and admitted it was a reminder of why he was cold about the three-year relationship.
Disgusting: The musician admitted he didn’t like how Kate kept asking her assistants for Coca Cola when she woke up
During this time, Barât performed in Japan without Doherty on what he called a “guilt tour” and suffered from his own addiction problems.
“People kept saying to me, ‘Your friend is unhinged, he needs help: ‘You can’t allow him to do that,” ‘You can’t allow him to do that,’ but you saw the man, he’s a Law.” for yourself’.
He added: “But I knew I had to keep the band together and I knew we had these obligations and Pete was running around with this new crew and I felt like he was getting away from me.”
“I felt like I was breaking away from the bond, our pack, everything we swore together, and even though Pete says he was kicked out of the band, that was never the case, but of course he didn’t seen like that.”