Audiences have been swooning over Kim Willoughby since she sang with her first band, the power-pop post-punk Gurlz. Thereafter her natural charm and stage presence ensured her vocal talents were much in demand by such established New Zealand artists as DD Smash, the Netherworld Dancing Toys, and the Pink Flamingos. A wider audience beckoned and Kim was soon appearing alongside Billy T James on his weekly TV show, and shortly afterwards starred in her first movie – the 1980s cult classic Queen City Rocker (also known as Tearaway).

A few years later a chance meeting with old friends resulted in Kim and four other singers forming the all-girl phenomenon When the Cat's Away. The "Cats" are still the most successful female live music act in New Zealand entertainment history. Their single "Melting Pot" was THE monster hit of 1989. They toured the country numerous times in the late 1980s, breaking attendance and turnover records, and playing to an audience of 250,000 out of a population of 3.5 million! A reunion tour in 2002 was no less successful, with sold out shows everywhere, culminating in three SRO nights at Auckland's Aotea Centre. A live album of the tour earned them a platinum disc.

As well as the legendary When the Cat's Away, Kim also performs with The Golden Kiwis, which features a line up of top Kiwi musicians playing classic Kiwi songs. In addition Kim is available for voice-over work, and as host and presenter for corporate conferences and seminars.

In 2006 Kim realised a long-planned ambition when she opened Kim Willoughby Personal Styling, helping men and women discover their best styles, colours, skincare and lifestyle choices. To celebrate the opening of KWPS Kim recorded a new version of the classic 1960s song "Love Potion Number 9". You can hear it here.

More recently, Kim has taken up the position of co-host on Hawke's Bay Classic Hits' "Martin & Kim's Classic Breakfast".