Debbie Gibson on Going ‘Beyond the Music’ & Her Second Act

THE MASKED SINGER: L-R: Host Nick Cannon and Debbie Gibson in the “ABBA Night” episode of THE MASKED SINGER airing Wednesday, Feb. 22 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Michael Becker/FOX ©2023 FOX Media LLC.

Along with music, you’ve done a fair amount of TV. What is one show role you remember most or are most proud of? 

Lucifer was a big one for me. I was never in the cool kids club. But here I am on this show. Tom Ellis and I became friends. He knew me when I was in London and had a lot of respect for me. I was at the top of his list for the role of this helicopter mom. To be in the presence of that greatness on a show that went on for that long and then being able to break out to a Police song with them was everything in one place. I got to use my acting chops. I got to use my singing chops. I was really proud of the whole thing.

I know you’re on the road right now. Is there a show you are bingeing? 

I love Meaghan Oppenheimer’s show Tell Me Lies. The actors are phenomenal. It felt raw and authentic. It’s also every reason why I did not go to college because it tackles every college issue. I was never a big partier. I would have been terribly uncomfortable in these scenarios. Another show I binged before the tour was Daisy Jones & the Six. I loved it so much I started to watch it a second time. When you hear the actors talk about the year of their lives they were learning to sing. They came out of it from the actor-turned-singer perspective. I love they took the time to invest. There is a realness. That show is so patient. It was so authentic. Joey McIntyre and I talk about this all the time. There is dynamic chemistry. Not saying that dynamic will become romantic. Joey is happily married and I would never infringe on that, but there is the emotional connection when you’re on stage or writing a song. There is a romance to it. I felt that was beautifully depicted on that show.

Photo credit: Jeff Henry

Speaking of shows, there is another one out called The Idol. Being a young pop star yourself, how do you feel it is for young pop stars today? 

I have heard of the show, but haven’t watched it. But it’s funny because I actually had a great group with the likes of Will Wheaton, Alyssa Milano, Corey Feldman, and Corey Haim, who we lost. It was a sense of community. There were more actors than musicians, but I was peripherally in that group because we were all part of that generation. It was a wonderful and innocent time. In music, I had my mom managing me. She was a mama bear. Mama bears are not always liked but respected…I also have my own center that she instilled in me. I never wanted to sell my soul to be higher up on the totem pole.

Now we live in a world with such unsolicited feedback, especially for young girls. I’m not saying it’s not hard for the boys too, but young girls are so prone to body image issues and anxiety. I’ve dealt with that. It’s a lot of unsolicited opinions out there on social media. I don’t think teenagers are wired to handle that much scrutiny. That much intensity they have to handle now. Back then it was intense and a lot to keep up with, but when I was on my tour bus I would be in a bit of a bubble. I joke I’m my own $ 5,000-a-month media company because I do my posting, editing, and stuff. It’s a full-time job and something I love. If you want to engage at a certain level with your audience, you can’t take your take your foot off the gas.

How has the tour been? 

I’ve done 60 shows in the last year. I’m getting to ready to announce more dates. It has been a blast. I have an audience who has been with me from the beginning and reconnected with others. Like on HSN, I just felt so connected to all these generations. I got to be in everyone’s living room for that time It’s not wasted on me. It was all really magical.

Beyond the Music: Debbie Gibson special is available for streaming on QVC+/HSN+.