By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
January 21, 2001
Former teen pop princess Deborah Gibson stars in “Cinderella,”
which continues through Jan. 28 at the Oriental Theatre
OK, let’s clear this up. What would happen if I called you Debbie?
Nothing! It’s funny because I was always Deborah, but when I started releasing albums, the [label] changed it to Debbie. So my family and friends were like, “What’s this Debbie stuff on your albums?” So when I went back to Deborah, it was never supposed to be about being sophisticated and grown up. I just got sick of using this nickname that was never my idea in the first place. I don’t think it’s that unusual. Look at John Cougar, who went back to his original last name. Or Rick Schroeder, who used to be a Ricky.
If we were to compare Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to you and Tiffany, who would match up with the other?
In a way, I think Christina’s more Mariah Carey and Britney’s more Janet Jackson. I think if I had to compare any of the [current young singers] to me, I’d say it was Jessica Simpson. She definitely works on her vocal chops. She does the fun pop stuff and the big ballads. And she’s pretty clean, but, but funky and age appropriate. She’s also very candid in interviews and I like that.
What’s your opinion on Britney?
I met her. We gave each other a big hug and I kind of looked at her and said, “Are you OK? It’s so great to finally meet you.” It was very cool. I look at her and know exactly where she is.
Britney’s dating Justin Timberlake of ’N Sync. Did you ever date one of the boys in the New Kids on the Block or New Edition?
No.
When you were 15, you wrote and produced your own hit records. Was that your proudest achievement?
I’ve never done drugs, never been in rehab and it’s true that I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. That’s what I’m most proud of. Anyone can learn to sing and dance, but to be able to stay sane in the midst of teen stardom and to continue to grow and evolve — that’s the tricky part. I’ve gotten over that hump and I’m a very emotionally stable 30-year-old woman loving life. I’m not a “Behind the Music” story in the making.
Well, there is your association with Tony Orlando…
We did a remake of “Knock Three Times” on my new album “M.Y.O.B. (Mind Your Own Business).” There’s no Dawn. I basically am Dawn. He was really fun to work with and I’ve always liked that song a lot.
You’ve got a project called “Teen Queens.” Is that autobiographical?
It’s a movie for VH1 that I’m developing. It’s a tongue-in-cheek black comedy about fabricated teen rivalries. It’s me kind of making fun of that time in my own life in a way. I’ve created a 25-page treatment and plan to be involved in all the steps.
