By Ersilia Pompilio
There were no foolish beats, only dreams coming true as Debbie Gibson took center stage at Oscar's Palm Springs for her "Acoustic Youth" 35th Anniversary tour, celebrating her album Electric Youth. Part pop concert and part one-woman multimedia storytelling dinner theater, Debbie kicked off the intimate show with her traveling piano, who she affectionately called a "carcass," while also playing a grand piano on stage and wearing a sequined black jacket mini dress.
Debbie began the show with a soulful ballad before stepping away from the piano to greet the audience. She took off her dress, to reveal a white tank top and cut off jean shorts, while she kicked off her black Christian Louboutin stilettos, and danced among the crowd as they enjoyed their Italian prix fixe dinner.
Barefoot in cut-off jean shorts, a white tank top layered with a black vest, and her signature silver quatrefoil necklace, Debbie performed her hit single "Shake Your Love." Who could blame her for being barefoot? It was a sweltering 111 degrees Fahrenheit in the open-air venue beneath the autumn desert moon.
No Two Shows Are The Same
"I get to do what I love. "I get to play," Debbie exclaimed joyfully. In between songs, she shared personal stories with the audience about her hero's journey. Two large video screens flanked the stage, showcasing nostalgic clips from her music videos, concerts, and Broadway performances.
No two shows on the Debbie Gibson Acoustic Youth 35th anniversary tour across the United States are the same, a variety she attributes to her fear of "being bored." The intimate setting at Oscar's in downtown Palm Springs, California, allowed fans to get up close and personal with Debbie as she shared stories from her childhood, creative inspiration, and her career, accompanied by her classical pop and modern ballads.
Debbie remembers singing into a mirror with a hairbrush, hitting her highest notes with her teenage voice. "I grew up with three sisters who didn't care that I was on tour," Debbie playfully recounts.
Despite her fame, she still faced the usual sister drama and had to do regular chores like washing the dishes and taking out the trash.
"My mom was my 'momager.' I would write songs in my bedroom and play them for her when she got home. My mom was my creative partner in crime."
Debbie's mother, Diane Gibson, was also a talented musician. When she and Debbie's father, Joe, bought their first home, their first piece of furniture was a "piano."
"Your mother is in your jacket," Debbie said as she told a story about a psychic fan approaching her after one of her shows. "My mom is cheeky and fun like that," she added. Dianne Gibson passed away in 2022 at the age of 76 due to natural causes. "I miss her dearly every day," Debbie passionately declared as she shared her story with the audience.
Night Clubs, Teen Boyfriends, and Creative Insight
At fifteen, Debbie started performing at nightclubs with her 'momager' at her side. "I would perform at teen clubs, as well as straight and gay clubs. The support from the audience at the gay clubs was incredible, and I always looked forward to returning to those venues."
Debbie describes her teenage dating life as a crossroads in her creative life, recalling how she had "a lot of boyfriends which stemmed from my fear of being bored in a relationship," who inspired her songs and songwriting. Perhaps that's where the lyrics "I could never love again, the way I loved you" originate.
Naturally, Debbie serenaded the audience with her classic love ballad, "Foolish Beat," accompanied by actor and musician Sean Thomas, whom she met on the set of her 2016 Hallmark movie, Summer of Dreams.
"I think I'm ready for love. I'm open to having a serious relationship, but the guy needs to contribute to my happiness. It's a tall order when you're already happy and fulfilled."
Divine Inspiration
"I grew up loving John Hughes movies; they were a huge inspiration. Billy Joel and 'Piano Man' were my homage," Debbie continued her storytelling, weaving in cover songs as she shared stories about the influential '80s groups and being a child of the '80s which shaped her while growing up in the music industry.
During a mid-show break, the audience enjoyed a video interview with a director discussing how he spent months searching for the right actress with the "Olivia Factor. That Newton-John thing" to play Sandy Dombroski in London's West End production of Grease. Out of 800 applicants, Debbie Gibson ultimately secured the role, which went on to set box office records.
After the video montage, Debbie returned to the stage wearing a black sequined dress designed like a football jersey, featuring the number "89" in white on the front. She perched on her piano and sang "Hopelessly Devoted from To You" from Grease, followed by Olivia Newton-John's iconic love song "I Love You," further sweeping away the audience in nostalgia.
If you still haven’t figured it out, Olivia Newton-John was a massive inspiration for Debbie's career, along with Belinda Carlisle and her song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth." Olivia also likely influenced Debbie's song "Lost in Your Eyes," which she performed during her compilation of love ballads.
Rock N' Roll Vaudeville Small Business Owner
"If you do anything unconventional, there's a lot of judgment. I hold my power on the stage." Debbie stated as she emerged once again on stage singing 'Only in My Dreams,' which was a massive club hit in 1987. She then finished off the show with another costume change; she stepped out in black fitted shorts featuring white handwritten words, a multicolored jacket adorned with various flags from around the world, and her iconic '80s black hat.
While she left her "big hair" in the '80s, she mused about being proud of her current hairstyle, even if it wasn't her natural hair. With a witty laugh, she added, "But I paid for it, so it's mine!"
"I grew up with people telling me I was too young to do things, and now they say I'm too old. Just do things," Debbie crooned into the microphone, inspiring the audience as she referred to herself as a "rock' n' roll vaudevillian small business owner."
"My motto is always to show up, be present, and be honest with the audience. The beauty is in the perfection of imperfection. I know my flaws," Debbie remarked. She then confessed she was having some issues with her voice as she sipped on what looked like a cup of tea in between songs.
Debbie Gibson wrapped up her set with "Fallen Angel, Shake Your Love, and Out of the Blue." Naturally, she closed the night with an encore of "Electric Youth," during which she had her VIP SQUAD, "the Diamond Deb Heads," dance with her on stage.
After Show VIP Q&A
As if dinner and a show weren't enough, Debbie Gibson decided to shake even more of her love with her fans by hosting a private Q&A in Oscar's exclusive lounge. She wore a vibrant orange mini sundress with ruffles and flat denim slip on sandals. Accompanied by her dachshund, "Joey," Debbie answered questions from VIP fans and the "Diamond Deb Heads," whom she impressively knew several of them by name.
In a flurry of intriguing questions, one audience member asked Debbie, "What would your 'dream' life be?" As if she weren't already living "only in her dreams," Debbie replied, "I'd love to own a dog rescue, continue performing full-time, and have a loving relationship." She added, "Love is hard on me."
Many of the "Diamond Deb Heads" shared personal stories about how much of an inspiration Debbie Gibson was during their youth. Some confessed to having crushes on her in their high school years, while others reminisced about sitting in their rooms and playing Debbie Gibson songs on endless repeat. One fan even shared that without Debbie Gibson's music, she wouldn't have made it through her challenging teen years with her strict parents and upbringing.
At the end of the Q&A, Debbie posed for pictures individually with all the VIP audience members and the "Diamond Deb Heads." We all got a goodie bag with an autographed picture of Debbie Gibson from the 80’s wearing her iconic black hat and an Acoustic Youth blanket and pin.
Polishing Her Star
Believe it or not, Palm Springs, like Hollywood, has a Walk of Fame. Debbie Gibson received her star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame in 2018. The honor recognizes her contributions to the entertainment industry, celebrating her successful music career and her impact as a pop icon. It's a significant achievement for her, marking her connection to the Palm Springs community.
In an interview with KGAY's John Taylor's Gayborhood, Debbie gushed, "I'm going to go polish my star." The morning after the Acoustic Youth's 35th Anniversary concert at Oscar’s in downtown Palm Springs, fans captured photos of Debbie Gibson on the floor freshening up her star in front of Peepa's boutique on Palm Canyon Drive.
Debbie may have been paying homage to her star while channeling the unique magic of Palm Springs for her upcoming projects: a book about her personal life and career set to launch in 2025, her role as a guest judge on the roller-skating dance show Roller Jam, premiering on Max on October 10, 2024, and the remainder of her Acoustic Youth tour, along with the "Winterlicious" Christmas tour kicking off in December 2024.
In Case You Were Wondering about Tiffany
It's long been rumored that Debbie Gibson and fellow pop icon "Tiffany" are bitter rivals. According to one of the Diamond Deb Heads, "That's not true. Debbie and Tiffany are good friends." The rumor was probably started due to a scene from a 2011 sci-fi film called MegaPython VS. Gatoroid in which Debbie and Tiffany get into a catfight at a party.
Debbie further shared with KGAY's John Taylor's Gayborhood, "I love her. She just texted me the other day. Tiffany, she's such a girl’s girl. She calls me whenever she's in Vegas and says, 'Hey girl, I'm in Vegas. Wanna go shopping? Wanna get tea? She also adds "Tiffany is one of those women who wants to support other women."
Debbie Gibson resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dachshund "Joey." She's currently on tour in her RV with her crew touring across the United States on her Acoustic Youth Tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of her Electric Youth album, living in her dreams and making them all come true.
About the Author
Ersilia Pompilio
Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. With over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.
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