Up Close with Debbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson, the phenomenal teen idol of the ‘80s who gave us the hits Only In My Dreams and Electric Youth is still lookin’ svelte and gorgeous after 25 years. I grew up dancing to Debbie’s hits and dressing up like her in my teens – blue denim shorts and jacket paired with boy shoes and ankle socks.
Debbie debuted her first solo album Out of the Blue in 1987. It was followed by Electric Youth in 1989 where it spent five weeks at the number one spot on Billboard Top 200 album charts. To this today, Debbie is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest person ever to write, produce and perform a number one single, Foolish Beat.
In 1992, she debuted on Broadway playing Eponine in Les Miserables. Thereafter, she went to London and starred as Sandy in Grease which broke box office sales records. Gibson also appeared in Katy Perry’s music video Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) with Corey Feldman and had a cameo appearance in the 2012 flick Rock of Ages in the (We’re Not Gonna Take It/We Built This City) face-off.
Inspite of fans lining up to have a photo and autograph with Debbie Gibson at The Hollywood Show last January 12, she was really nice to have a short but sweet interview with me.
Popbuff: I understand this is your first time at the Hollywood Show, what do you think about it?
Debbie Gibson: I love it. This is actually my first ever autograph convention and I think I started off with a bang. I’ve been meeting great fans. Everybody’s been really nice and respectful. It’s been really a cool day.
Popbuff: Can you give us your experience shooting the video of Katy Perry – Last Friday Night.
Debbie Gibson: I was a huge Katy fan. I feel like we share similar writing style. The video is kinda like spoofing my own mother from the ‘80s. It was really fun.
Popbuff: Who is the person you would like to collaborate with?
Debbie Gibson: I’d like to collaborate with Katie. I think that would be a blast. And I’m still holding out with Billy Joel duet cause he’s my all-time favorite.
Popbuff: Lastly, do you keep in touch with Tiffany?
Debbie Gibson: I do. We were just texting each other yesterday. Yes, we keep in touch.