Iconic Levi's TV ad star Nick Kamen battled secret illness before shock death
He's best remembered as Madonna 's protégé and the heartthrob of an iconic Levi's advert where he famously stripped down to his boxers in a launderette. But model and singer Nick Kamen tragically never reclaimed the limelight following his Eighties glory days, passing away aged 59 on 4 May, 2021.
The infamous 1985 Levi's ad sees Nick walk into a launderette, to the sound of Marvin Gaye's 1968 classic, I Heard It Through The Grapevine. He then removes his T-shirt, and unbuttons his Levi's 501s, while several women watch on – throwing both in the washing machine. He then takes a seat wearing just his white boxer shorts, with a statement appearing on screen: 'Now available in stonewashed'.
The star, who scored a 1986 hit with Each Time You Break My Heart – penned by Madonna herself – died at his Notting Hill, London, home following a gruelling three-year fight against bone cancer. Nick, born Ivor Neville Kamen, was cared for by his devoted partner of 15 years, Lucinda Carey, during his final days, reports OK!. His brother Ronald disclosed that as Nick's condition deteriorated, his breathing became "very shallow" and he sensed his time was running out. "He did fight it very hard," he revealed.
In an interview following Nick's passing, Lucinda revealed that despite his ordeal, Nick experienced a "beautiful" death. She explained: "It was beautiful and incredibly gentle."
Lucinda, daughter of the Viscount of Falkland, confirmed that she and her 23 year old daughter were present during Nick's final moments. "Nick was an incredible person, and it was really inspiring to be around him during his illness," she continued.
Speaking to Mail Online, the filmmaker went on: "There has been a lot of joy and hardship over the past three years and he could not have lived with more respect and dignity."
Lucinda disclosed that Nick, who had known for three years that his death was approaching, "adored" the medical team who looked after him at Hammersmith Hospital, west London. "He valued everything that the NHS did for him and so do the rest of us," she revealed.
Speaking about his diagnosis, Lucinda confided: "He's known for the past three years that he was going to die but he never felt sorry for himself and lived his life with incredible charm and courage."
She detailed that Nick was "accepting of his situation" and remarkably, throughout his struggle, he never allowed stress to overwhelm him. Looking back on the height of Nick's stardom, Lucinda admitted that he "never enjoyed" the public attention that accompanied it and felt at his "most miserable" during his celebrity period.
"That's why Nick stepped out of public life because he didn't like being famous," she said. "He was happy living a private life and didn't like being the centre of attention".
Nick had gained the nickname "Lazarus" from his family due to his countless comebacks against all expectations. His sister, Denise, remembered: "He never gave up and put up such a good fight, he would always fight back and would not give up. He came back so often we would call him Lazarus after the biblical character, he really did fight so hard."
Madonna, who was a dear friend, voiced her grief saying it was "heartbreaking" to lose Nick. She recalled him as a "kind, sweet human" who "suffered too much".
The Levi's ad was recreated by Beyoncé last year, who said: 'My song Levii's Jeans celebrates what I believe is the ultimate Americana uniform – something we all wear with pride. I am honoured to work with Levi's to create quintessential American iconography."
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