In 1989 Kylie Minogue was one of the most famous women in the world, thanks to her role on Neighbours and a string of hit pop songs. Michael Hutchence was still riding high with the success of INXS’ breakthrough album Kick, released in 1987. While their relationship lasted just two years, his sister Tina Hutchence explains in her book Michael, My Brother, Lost Boy of INXS how their feelings were heartfelt and intense.
Sophistication had not yet entered her lexicon but she was working on it – and Michael was doing his damnedest to help her along on that path. I liked Kylie – how could I not?” writes Tina.
“Kylie revealed herself to be a well-raised young woman from a close-knit, watchful family. Michael was very sweet on her and he always called her ‘my baby’. Before then, his partners were always taking care of him. This time, he was the protector. He tried to have a private life with her and let things develop naturally.
But people were intrigued by the whole ‘innocent’ Kylie – ‘rampant rock-star’ Michael angle. Those who adored the goofy, naive side of Kylie were quite suspicious of Michael’s intentions, too, at times.
“His previous girlfriend Rosanna had told him, in the first blush of their relationship, that although their love was strong, the day would come when his career would take a natural dip. Then he’d feel the tug to move on; maybe fall for someone famous. Naturally, Michael denied this could ever happen. But in some ways Ro was foretelling the future.
Of course, the English and Australian media went into a frenzy over the ‘odd’ and very famous couple. For the first time Michael began to be troubled by stalking paparazzi with telephoto lenses.”
Tina recalls how Kylie’s fame was a constant third party in the relationship. “We met up at a Japanese restaurant in Sydney. Kylie was her adorable, blonde, curly-haired, spunky self while her ‘older man’ (by eight years) Michael was wearing a dorky hat which, coupled with his black, thick-rimmed everyday glasses, gave him the appearance of Inspector Gadget.
Heaven help the man attempting to hideout next to Kylie Minogue.
“When she excused herself to go to the bathroom all eyes in the restaurant trailed her to the door. It was my birthday and, after dinner, the three of us went to see a movie. That ended in a fan pursuit so hysterical it was like the chase scene in The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night.”
Unlike Michael, Kylie knew how to play the publicity game and come out on top.
“After several years in the limelight with an effective management machine behind her, she understood the career value of the right ‘photo op’ at the right time. She was frugal with the opportunities she offered the professionals and she shared the depth of her publicity experience with her new boyfriend. She warned him how easy it is for them to turn on you. Michael had never known bad press. He couldn’t imagine it becoming a problem. INXS had always been on the up-and-up trajectory.”
For more on Tina’s book – pick up the latest issue of WHO
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