Debbie Gibson started her singing career at the young age of 16. That was her lucky number, as she has sold 16 million albums throughout her "Electric Youth." Nunn on One spoke with her once again to talk about her current projects.
Windy City Times: Hello, first off what do I call youDebbie or Deborah?
Debbie Gibson: I have officially gone back to Debbie, just to really confuse people.
WCT: Did you ever get mad when people called you the wrong name?
Debbie Gibson: No, I never got mad. I built that as a brand name. Deborah was my name growing up and I wanted to go back to it but at this point I am like, "I give upwhatever!" Honestly, nothing much offends me and especially nothing as silly as that. People can call me whatever they want to.
WCT: I thought you did such a great job at Pridefest last time we hung out.
Debbie Gibson: Thank you. I had so much fun at that Pride. That's the one with that long narrow street.
WCT: Yes, Halsted Street. It was packed.
Debbie Gibson: I loved it!
WCT: We both turned 40 this year. How did that go for you?
Debbie Gibson: The year has been a great year. I don't put a lot of stock in age. It would have been a great year no matter what the number was. I don't know how you felt about this but everyone else feels it is a way bigger deal than it is. I was performing in the run of a show and going about my business. My family came in and we had a little party afterwards with the cast. I didn't do anything more than I do for every birthday. It may sound cliché but I feel better than ever.
WCT: I get it.
Debbie Gibson: The number is a funny thing. I have always felt like a young spirit and an old soul at the same time. There is some number that goes on a sliding ruler between that.
WCT: The show you were talking about was Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy at MGM Casino, correct?
Debbie Gibson: Yes. It was fun being around wacky, freaky, athletic people.
WCT: Tell me about this global poverty cause you have been involved in.
Debbie Gibson: Basically, when I was 17 years old I was reading Seventeen Magazine and was reading the ad for Children International. I had a business manager at the time and wanted to give money to it. You never know if these things are for real but I started sponsoring a couple of kids in the Philippines and eventually to do promotions and touring and was able to meet the kids from the organization.
I could see for myself that it was actually real. The infomercials were real and, for 22 cents a day, anyone can change a child's life. They go from having nothing to access to nutritious food and clean clothes. The Center for them has medical care and dental care. Children International reached out to me this last year and asked me to be their spokesperson.
WCT: That's great. Where can the average person contribute?
Debbie Gibson: They can visit www.children.org .
WCT: For your album on Sony Japan, Ms. Vocalist, you have a track called "I Love You." I thought that would be perfect for Valentine's Day. How do you spend that day?
Debbie Gibson: That's something I hadn't thought of, but it is a good love song. The album is all English versions of Japanese love songs. I try to find time to be with my man during the holiday; just a quiet dinner would be nice.
WCT: I watched you on Celebrity Ghost Stories.
Debbie Gibson: That still scares me. What are chances that I would find that note from Liberace in that book? Some people embellish their stories on that show, but mine was for real.
WCT: You have a new movie on Syfy titled Mega Python vs. Gatoroid with Tiffany, I heard.
Debbie Gibson: Yes, it [ was ] on Syfy on Jan. 29. They [ had ] a premiere of it at the Ziegfeld in New York, if you can believe it, on Jan. 20. ... The mega-pythons [ were ] even more mega!
Find out more about Debbie Gibson at www.deborah-gibson.com .