For fans of glossy 1990s television drama, the name Kylie Travis evokes memories of big hair, bigger shoulder pads, and even bigger plot twists. As the star of the short-lived but cult favourite series Models Inc., the UK-born Australian actress was a fixture on screens in the mid-90s, only to seemingly vanish from the public eye as the new millennium dawned.
From Modelling Agency Machinations to Cult Stardom
Kylie Travis, now 55, shot to fame playing the ambitious and troublesome Australian model Julie Dante in Aaron Spelling's 'Models Inc.' in 1994. A spin-off from the wildly popular Melrose Place, the series followed the dramatic lives of models at a Los Angeles agency run by Hillary Michaels, played by Linda Gray. Despite being cancelled after just one season in 1995 after harsh reviews, the show's potent mix of glamour, intrigue, murder, and blackmail secured it a dedicated fanbase.
Travis was not the only Australian in the cast, starring alongside fellow Aussie actor Cameron Daddo. Her portrayal of the gossip magazine favourite Julie Dante made her a standout, paving the way for her next television ventures.
Post-'Models Inc.' Career and High-Flying Encounters
Following the show's abrupt end, Kylie Travis quickly landed roles in other prime-time dramas. She appeared in Beverly Hills 90210 and, more significantly, took a leading part in Darren Starr's Central Park West in 1995. This series, centred on a trendy New York fashion magazine, featured a star-studded cast including Morgan Fairchild and Raquel Welch. Travis played Rachael Dennis, the magazine's blonde bombshell fashion editor.
Although Central Park West lasted longer than Models Inc., it too was cancelled in 1996. During its run, Travis shared a memorable anecdote on Conan O'Brien about rubbing shoulders with a future US President. She recounted attending a Lennox Lewis fight with Donald Trump, travelling on his private plane. "It was like military precision," she said, describing a whirlwind of movement and a marathon gambling session where she and a friend "won quite a lot."
A Quiet Exit from Acting and a New Life in New York
After Central Park West ended, Travis's acting roles became increasingly sporadic. She appeared in just three films: Retroactive, Gia alongside Angelina Jolie, and Sanctuary. Her last credited role on IMDb was a guest appearance in an episode of the NBC series Ed in 2001.
Stepping away from Hollywood, Travis explored the wellness industry, opening the Lili Pili Health Bar in White Plains, New York. However, records suggest this business venture closed around 2015. She has since married New York-based property developer Louis R. Cappelli, with whom she has been for over twenty-five years.
In a 2022 interview, Cappelli affectionately gushed about his "beautiful wife," the movie actress from Australia. He admitted to being constantly preoccupied with work, a trait she has come to understand. "We just go out for dinner a lot," he told the New York Real Estate Journal. "In fact, before the coronavirus hit, we dined out almost every night for twenty years! We loved the time together."
According to her profile, Kylie Travis Cappelli now leads a life away from the cameras, involving herself in the New York socialite and charity circuits. Having traded the dramatic plotlines of 90s soap operas for a more private existence, her journey from cult TV star to contented retiree marks a definitive, and seemingly happy, exit from the spotlight.
