Monday, January 24, 2011
Photo
KRT
In this February 9, 2003 file photograph, Debbie Gibson attends the Luca Luca ready-to-wear Fall 2003 fashion show as part of the Mercedes-Benz fashion week in New York. Along with her role in the Syfy Network's "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid," Gibson is getting ready to mount a musical comeback this year.
By Glenn Gamboa
Long Island Newsday
NEW YORK
Debbie Gibson says people have been trying to get her and her ’80s teen-pop rival Tiffany to work together for years.
“We’re just very different stylewise,” said Gibson, calling from her home in Los Angeles. “We’ve had very separate careers.”
But when the folks at the Syfy network approached the Long Island native about doing a sequel to her movie “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus” with Tiffany, she jumped at the chance.
“I thought, ‘This is such a ridiculous way to join forces,’” Gibson said. “We’re rivals who have to work together to save the world. Why not?”
Their work together on “Mega Python vs. Gatoroid,” which debuts on Syfy at 9 p.m. Saturday, has led to other joint appearances, including their first concert duet in New York at the Canal Room on Saturday. (“We’re each going to do a few of our hits separately,” Gibson said. “But she could totally jam with me onstage for ‘Shake Your Love’ if she wants.”)
However, Gibson is getting ready to mount a musical comeback this year — on her own.
Q. You’re on the short list for an Oscar nomination for best song.
A. It is really surreal. It’s a song called “Rise” that I did for a documentary that my boyfriend (Dr. Rutledge Taylor) did called “3Billion and Counting.” We don’t really have a campaign to launch for it, but stranger things have happened in my career. It could be the little song that could.
Q. And you’re working on a new album?
A. I’ve been writing a lot in the last year and a half ... You know I grew up when Tina Turner and Cher made their big radio comeback and I feel that I’m sitting at that moment where I’m 40 and I feel more empowered than ever, and I can write now from a point of view where I’ve actually lived some life as opposed to writing from my pop-touring bubble.
Q. You also have a song from the movie.
A. Yeah, it’s called “Snake Charmer” and it’s a fun, kitschy dance song. I love that really little kids are now gonna think that I copied Ke$ha.