The truth behind Kim and Prince's love affair

Stars were like teens in steamy fling

- MARK JEFFERIES

UNTIL now it was known as a brief fling, one of Prince's many love affairs with beautiful women.

But it turns out that music star Prince and Hollywood actress Kim Basinger were like "teenagers in love" during their relationship, and almost ended up a long-term couple. The strength of the relationship is emerging in a book about Prince's life and career, featuring interviews with more than 200 people he knew.

It details how Prince would have met Kim on the set of 1989's Batman, where she was playing Vicki Vale and he was to write and perform an album. He sent a cassette sample of his LP to lead actors Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton and Kim, to get feedback.

Prince's PA Therese Stoulil recalls: "Michael didn't get back, Jack asked for money because we sampled him and Kim called the office to thank him.

"I put her through to his office. They had a very short conversa tion." Whatever happened on set and in that brief phone call was enough to start a relationship that would last for around a year.

Prince soon told Therese: "She's coming to Minneapolis for a visit. Get a really nice hotel room." The best suite at the city's Sofitel was duly booked and filled with flowers, candles and cushions.

But Kim never enjoyed any of it. She went straight to Prince's home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and rarely left in the months to come except to join him in the studio. Minneapolis was her base and the pair became inseparable.