Previously regarded as a short-lived affair, one of the many romantic involvements of the renowned musician Prince was with the Hollywood actress Kim Basinger.
Their relationship was described as reminiscent of young love, with indications that they could have become a long-term couple, possibly even tying the knot. Although their dating period was in 1989, the depth of their bond is only now coming to light in a new book that delves into the life and achievements of Prince, incorporating insights from over 200 individuals connected to him.
The narrative unfolds how Prince and Kim likely crossed paths on the set of the movie “Batman,” where Kim portrayed Vicki Vale and Prince was tasked with creating a music album.
Subsequently, Prince sent a sample of his LP on a cassette via FedEx to the lead actors Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, and Kim Basinger for their evaluation and feedback.
Recalling the incident, Prince’s personal assistant Therese Stoulil mentioned, “Michael did not respond, Jack requested payment for the sample, and Kim phoned the office to express her gratitude. I connected her to his office, and they had a brief conversation.”
Whatever transpired during their encounters and that brief phone call sparked a relationship that endured for about a year.
Prince instructed his assistant to arrange a luxurious hotel room as Kim planned a visit to Minneapolis.
A lavish suite at the city’s Sofitel was reserved, adorned with additional flowers, candles, and cushions. However, Kim bypassed the opulent arrangements, heading straight to Prince’s residence where she spent most of her time in the following months, mainly accompanying him in the studio. Minneapolis soon became her primary location as the couple became inseparable.
Within a short span, Kim’s Mercedes was parked on the driveway, and her belongings started to fill the space, indicating her deep affection.
During this period, Kim was on the verge of attaining stardom, while Prince was already a global sensation renowned for hits like “1999,” “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Little Red Corvette.”
In the book “Sign O’ The Times,” Therese reflected on Kim, stating, “She was the kindest person you could meet. Everyone adored her. She went shopping that Christmas [1989] and bought gifts for all of us [including a perfume decanter for Stoulil].”
“Exceptionally beautiful, incredibly sweet. I had never seen Prince happier in the ten years I knew him. They shopped together, something Prince rarely did. They visited various small stores. It was genuinely endearing, resembling a pair of enamored teenagers. They were captivated by each other. It was wonderful,” Therese added.
Kim’s makeup artist at the time, Terra Hinrichs, affirmed Kim’s profound affection for Prince, noting, “She was deeply in love with him. I couldn’t comprehend it. She is stunning.”
The relationship progressed to a point where Kim had her assistant manage Hollywood inquiries regarding her future roles. Engineer Tom Garneau recollected moments with Kim, mentioning she served rum and coke, prepared popcorn, and sweet potato pie.
Furthermore, Kim also delved into Prince’s music domain. The duo collaborated on a remix of the ballad ‘Scandalous’ from the Batman soundtrack. Their private recording session seemed to reflect the track’s title, as engineer Sal Greco discovered honey smeared on the mixing desk the next day.
Following their intimate studio sessions, Kim was entrusted with overseeing the recording of “sexy women singers” for Prince.
However, Hinrichs observed a change in Kim’s demeanor, noting, “She seemed to be trying too hard. Instructing those girls to ‘be naughty’ felt out of character for her. She adored him. I adored Kim.”
According to the new book, during this period, Kim expressed interest in purchasing property in the vicinity as things intensified in 1990, with her expressing a desire for a beautiful farmhouse.
Despite indications of becoming a prominent couple in Hollywood, Prince eventually backed out, leading to their separation.
Stoulil revealed that their split was a result of unfulfilled promises, stating, “Things were assured