Debbie LaPlante

Personal information
Born	April 3, 1953
Medal record Women’s Athletics Competitor for the  United States Pan American Games Gold 1979 San Juan 100 m hurdles Silver 1975 Mexico City 100 m hurdles

Debbie LaPlante (born April 3, 1953) is a retired female track and field athlete from the United States, who competed in the hurdles event. She twice won a medal at the Pan American Games during her career. LaPlante set her personal best in the women's 100m hurdles event on June 16, 1979, clocking 12.86 in Walnut, California.

References[link]

• trackfield.brinkster

This article about a track and field Olympic medalist of the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Debbie Gibson
Debbie Gibson at the Cinema City Film Festival
Background information
Birth name	Deborah Ann Gibson
Born	(1970-08-31) August 31, 1970 (age 41) Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	Pop, Dance-pop, Adult Contemporary, pop rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, teen idol
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Atlantic EMI SMEJ
Associated acts	Jordan Knight Eric Martin Tiffany
Website	Official Site
Notable instruments
Liberace grand piano: Baldwin SD10, Serial No. pending Finish: Austrian rhinestones

Deborah Ann "Debbie" Gibson (born August 31, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. In 1988 she was pronounced the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, with her song "Foolish Beat" and she remains the youngest female to write, record, and perform a #1 single.^[1] She has gone on to starring roles on Broadway and touring musicals, as well as independent film and television work. She continues to record, and reached the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart as high as #24 during 2006 in a duet with Jordan Knight titled "Say Goodbye". In 2010, the album Ms. Vocalist, from Sony Japan was Top 10 on the Japanese Billboard chart and the first single from the album, “I Love You”, hit #1.^[2]

Early life[link]

Debbie Gibson was born in Brooklyn, New York, the third daughter of four for Diane and Joseph Gibson.^[3][4][5] She grew up in the Long Island suburb of Merrick and was raised Catholic. At the age of five, she began performing in community theater with her sisters Karen, Michele, and Denise, and cousin T.J Normandin and wrote her first song, "Make Sure You Know Your Classroom". At age eight, she sang in the children's chorus at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. She began playing the ukulele and taking piano lessons soon after, including with American pianist Morton Estrin.^[6] She said that her household was probably the only one where bystanders would hear kids fighting over piano playing time.

Music career[link]

1987–1990[link]

In 1987, while performing around the United States at nightclub venues, Gibson was recording what would become her debut album, "Out Of The Blue". It was recorded in four weeks. Four singles from Out Of The Blue reached the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100: "Only in My Dreams", "Shake Your Love", "Out Of The Blue", and the #1 hit "Foolish Beat", followed by "Staying Together", which performed more modestly, reaching #22. "Foolish Beat" set a record for Gibson, making her (at 17) the youngest artist ever to write, produce, and perform a Billboard #1 single, as entered in the 1988 Guinness Book of World Records, and she remains the youngest female artist to do so. Out Of The Blue was established as a hit album and she had success in the UK and southeast Asia, filling stadiums with her Out Of The Blue tour. By the end of 1988, Out of the Blue had gone triple platinum.^[7] The Out Of The Blue music video compilation was certified platinum by the RIAA; the concert tour video was certified 2x platinum. In October 1988, Gibson sang the national anthem for Game One of the Major League Baseball World Series.

Electric Youth was released in early 1989, and spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart. The first single released, "Lost in Your Eyes", was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, garnering her another achievement as the first female to have both an album and single simultaneously at #1. (She shared the 1989 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award with Bruce Springsteen.) Subsequent singles from the album were "Electric Youth" (#11), "No More Rhyme" (No. 17), and "We Could Be Together" (No. 71). The Electric Youth album was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA. The successful "Electric Youth" world tour and Live Around the World VHS (2x platinum) followed.

Style and Influence[link]

In tandem with the second album, she created a perfume called Electric Youth that was distributed by Revlon, and other makeup essentials for young girls that were distributed nationwide through Natural Wonder Cosmetics, another of her sponsors at the time, among the first of artists to do so.^[8] Debbie Gibson and other artists of the time made side ponytails and crimped hair popular. She also made tight, rolled up jeans and wearing two Swatch watches popular. Her influences were Madonna and Olivia Newton John, though she has often said she admires Elton John and Billy Joel as favorite artists. She appeared on the covers of teen magazines globally, such as Tiger Beat. Her successes opened the doorway for many of today's pop princesses.

1990–1995[link]

She recorded two more albums for Atlantic Records: Anything Is Possible (1990) and Body Mind Soul (1993). "Anything Is Possible", co-written with Motown mainstay Lamont Dozier, peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1991. Subsequent singles from Anything Is Possible failed to chart on the Hot 100, although "One Step Ahead" scored on the Billboard Hot Maxi Singles and Hot Dance chart, peaking at #21 and #18 respectively. Body Mind Soul spawned another minor hit in "Losin' Myself", which was accompanied by a somewhat controversial Matthew Rolston-directed video clip featuring Gibson as a stripper. The second single from the album, "Shock Your Mama", would become a minor hit in Europe and the UK; however "Losin' Myself" remains Debbie Gibson's last appearance on the Billboard Hot 100.

Gibson on the set of the video for "No More Rhyme"

During this time, Gibson was part of the supergroup that recorded the charity single Voices that Care which peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot 100.

In 1995, she signed with EMI's SBK Records division and recorded what would be her only album for the label, Think With Your Heart. It was an Adult Contemporary-heavy album consisting of piano and keyboard ballads recorded predominantly with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The album's producer, Niko Bolas (usually Neil Young's co-producer), was producing the reunion album for veteran punk band Circle Jerks, and invited Gibson to a recording session for that band's album. She sang background vocals on the song "I Wanna Destroy You", as well as appearing at and participating in the Circle Jerks' performance at punk venue CBGB, wearing one of the band's t-shirts and sharing a microphone with frontman Keith Morris.

Later independent releases[link]

After parting company with EMI, Gibson formed her own record label, Espiritu, to release her original material. Her sixth album, Deborah, marked her full return to dance-pop. Deborah includes the lead single "Only Words". "Only Words" (Dance Edit) became a Top 40 Hot Dance Music/Club Play hit. The album's other single was the ballad, "Naturally". Though it only sold 20,000 in the US, Deborah remains well-respected.

In 2001, she released her seventh album on her new record label, Golden Egg, titled M.Y.O.B.---i.e. Mind Your Own Business. It featured three singles: the sensual pop song "What You Want", the Latin-infused Dance-pop song "Your Secret," and the bass heavy "M.Y.O.B." Highlights from the album include the sultry Latin flavored Smooth Jazz song "In Blue", a vintage style ballad "Wishing You Were Here", "Jaded", and a remix of "M.Y.O.B." with the background vocals of her two nieces.

In 2005, Gibson co-wrote and recorded a song titled "Someone You Love" with the O'Neill Brothers. With the O'Neill Brothers, she released an updated, acoustic version of her #1 hit "Lost in Your Eyes". There was an Emmy-nominated PBS special in 2005.^[9][10]

She had a resurgence of popularity in niche markets. Her single "Your Secret" came back from its dormant state and became popular on some radio stations including Super 91.7 WMPH in Wilmington, Delaware. "Your Secret" has been on their request show, Total Control Radio, for 12 months; it reached #1 on its third week on that station's chart in May 2006. It charted along with a few of her other singles, "M.Y.O.B." and "Only Words" (Dance Edit), the Eurodance mix. They all have become recurrent hits on WMPH.^[11]

Theater career[link]

Deborah Gibson debuted on Broadway in 1992, playing Eponine in Les Misérables. She then went to London and starred as Sandy in Grease---a role 800 other girls tried out for before producers chose Gibson---in a West End production.^[12] The show broke box office sales records.^[13] The single version of "You're the One That I Want", a duet with Craig McLachlan, taken from the Original Cast Recording, reached #13 on the UK charts in 1993.

On returning to the States, she appeared in the Broadway touring production, this time playing Rizzo. She played Fanny Brice in a revamped Funny Girl tour. She has had many successful theater credits; she was among the many actresses who took the starring role of Belle in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. She replaced Kerry Butler in July 1997 and was in the show until 1998 when she was then succeeded by Kim Huber. She also starred the critically lauded production of Gypsy (in a production staged at The Paper Mill Playhouse). She starred as Louise opposite Broadway legend Betty Buckley. She participated in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where she played the part of The Narrator, and starred as Cinderella in the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical with Eartha Kitt as the Fairy Godmother. In October 2002, she starred as Velma Kelly in the Boston production of Chicago. In 2003, she played Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of Cabaret. From March to April 2004, she played the role of 'Marta' in the UCLA Reprise! production of Company.

Gibson starred as Anna Leonowens in Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical The King and I which began October 17, 2008 in the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and ran through October 26.^[14]

Reality television[link]

In mid-2003, Gibson was a judge on the American Idol spin-off American Juniors which lasted one season. In January 2006, she joined the cast of Skating with Celebrities on Fox Television, partnered with former Canadian World Champion figure skater Kurt Browning. She was voted out in the third episode.

Gibson competed on the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, which began airing on February 19, 2012.^[15] On the fourth task, she won $50,000 for her charity, Children International.^[16] Gibson was fired on April 4, 2012 in the seventh task because she had brought in the least amount of money between her teammates in the boardroom, Dayana Mendoza and Teresa Giudice.^[17] While both Mendoza and Giudice were arguably weaker candidates going forward, given that Mendoza was cited as the women's weakest link and Giudice had failed the task as project manager, Gibson was fired instead.

Music 2005–present[link]

The March 2005 issue of Playboy featured a nude pictorial of Gibson, coinciding with the release of her single, "Naked". She has said that the magazine had asked her five times to pose for them since she turned 18.^[5] She agreed to pose in an effort to revamp her image, describing how one casting call called her agent, not realizing that Gibson had long since outgrown her teenage image.^[18] The single peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard "Hot single sales" chart in March 2005.^[19]

In November 2005 it was announced that Debbie would go on tour with The O'Neill Brothers for "Someone you love Tour" ^[20] in 2006. "Lost in your eyes" was revamped with a acoustic sound and a song "Someone you love" was written and performed by Debbie and The O'Neill Brothers and also these 2 songs appeared on the The O'Neill Brothers album "Someone you love".

The 2006 single, "Say Goodbye," featuring dance-pop artist Jordan Knight, has made a good impression on the Soft AC and Hot AC radio formats, becoming the third-most added single on the format during summer 2006. It debuted at No. 35 on the Billboard magazine Hot Contemporary chart, peaking at No. 24 in early September through late November^[21] The same year, Gibson appeared in the independent film Coffee Date with Wilson Cruz and Jonathan Silverman and soundtrack song called "Sounds like love"

On November 14, 2006, Gibson released the song "Famous" on her official website. The song was written by Gibson and Tiziano Lugli, and the recording was produced by T. Lugli.

On March 5, 2009, Gibson announced via YouTube video blog that she would be releasing a new song/video called Already Gone.^[22] Released on her official website and reverberation. The song was released first on March 9, 2009 then video on March 13, 2009.^[23] Bylli Crayone(Singer/Songwriter/Producer and Fan of Gibsons) interviewed Debbie about the song and asked if this was the direction she would be going for new album.^[24] The song was written by Gibson and produced by Fred Coury (Drummer from Cinderalla)and music video produced by Guy Birtwhistle .Starring Birtwhisle,Gibson and Steve Valentine(Crossing Jordan)and directed by John Knowles.

Gibson gives sneak peek of a new song on June 5, 2009 through her YouTube video blog uploaded herself.^[25] In January 2010 an unofficial clip "Cougar" was uploaded on YouTube.^[26] She also became a spokesperson for Murad's Resurgence Skin Care and plays piano and sings a line of the song called "Cougar" ^[27]

It was announced on her official website that "I Love You", the first single off her newest album Ms Vocalist, is No. 1 on the international cable radio charts for the week of November 3. Debbie covered J-Pop tunes for the Ms Vocalist album that were originally sung by Japanese artists like Chage and Aska (Say Yes), Yutaka Ozaki (I love you), Sekaiju no Dareyori Kitto (by Miho Nakayama & WANDS) among others, plus Japanese/English version of her hit No. 1 song Lost in your eyes and a duet with Eric Martin. The first official music video from the new album is "I Love You" which was released on Gibson Official YouTube site on October 19, 2010.^[28]

It was announced in November 2010 by Gibson herself that she would be doing an "DG Live From the Living Room" on "Stageit.com on December 1, 2010. This concert sold out. Here is the setlist she performed "Heart Of The Matter" by Don Henley,^[29] Rich Girl,I dreamed a dream, Coming home,^[30] medley of : Another Brick Falls,Deep Down,Helplessly in love,We could be together,^[31] "The Rose",^[32] You don't have to see" and brief news about upcoming album 2011 ^[33]-(as of December 2011 no album),^[34] then concluded the encore with "Silent Night" ^[35]

Her song "Rise", from the forthcoming documentary "3 Billion and Counting", was included on the short list for an Academy Award for Best Song in a Film in 2010,which in 2011 didn't receive. Rise is available on I-tunes. In the summer of 2011, she released Rise on I-tunes. and also performed it on Good Morning America in NY.

In January 2011, Gibson wrote,performed and produced the song "Snake Charmer" for the film Mega Python vs. Gatoroid which is available on iTunes.^[36]

Also clips of "Rise","Cougar" and "Don't wake me" are available on her official site after the site was revamped.^[37]

Throughout many TV/press and internet related interviews,Gibson has confirmed that she is working on a studio new album of new material and would like to do a Christmas album. No official confirmation when either album will be released.

Gibson continues to tour and has become a popular attraction at gay pride parades and various charity and music festivals around the US.

On May 2007 the world premiere of Electric Youth: The Musical was unveiled at The Starlight Theatre in Orlando, FL. The musical featured 14 of Gibsons's songs and was directed by Dean Parker. ^[38] On August 24, 2007, Gibson and Frankie Avalon hosted Time Life Presents Dick Clark's American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Collection.^[39]

Debbie Gibson at LA Pride 2007

In September 2007, Gibson considered creating a camp on the West Coast. She is the founder and creator of Camp Electric Youth,^[40] a children's summer day camp which ran from July 7–18, 2008. It claims to be the first camp of its kind in the Los Angeles area. The camp was reportedly attended by "over 120 talented singers, actors and dancers" from around the world.

Gibson was a judge for the online talent competition, Total Pop Star,^[41] along with Andrew Van Slee (producer and judge),and Joey Lawrence (from Blossom). The first season ran from Nov 12, 2007 – May 30, 2008, though it was later extended to June. The show ended abruptly into the 2nd season.

In January 2008, Gibson announced that she would revive and perform her 1980s hits—along with her Broadway role songs—during a three-run week in May 2008 at Harrah's in Atlantic City.^[42] Stuck in the '80s|tampabay.com: Archives</ref>

She later appeared on the April 2008 cover of Lavender Magazine (a GLBT magazine in Minnesota)^[43] and was interviewed about her career and upcoming projects. Then on the 24th, Gibson hosted and performed on Spotlightlive 80's Karaoke Experience in New York^[44] singing songs such as "Only in My Dreams", "Out of the Blue", "Love Shack" (an original hit for the B-52's) and "9 to 5". She performed with Samantha Fox, Tiffany, & Rick Astley at the Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Canada on April 10, 2009.^[45]

She performed as Mother Nature in Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy at Foxwoods/MGM Casino from July 27 to September 1, 2010.^[46]

On April 18, 2011, Gibson confirmed via Twitter that she will be touring with fellow 1980s pop princess Tiffany during the summer of 2011. Tiffany also made the announcement via the New York Post.^[47]

In June 2011, Gibson appeared in Katy Perry's music video "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" alongside several other guest stars.

On August 13, 2011, the final night of the Journey Through The 80s Tour, Gibson and Tiffany sold out Chicago's House of Blues.

Movies and television[link]

On January 6, 2008 Gibson appeared on Deal or No Deal along with Corey Feldman as part of an 1980s special.

Gibson co-starred with actor Lorenzo Lamas in the low-budget action/adventure film Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus, produced by The Asylum and released on May 19, 2009.^[48] This film drew in 2 million viewers on Syfy in 2009. The film's trailer has become a viral hit, scoring over one million hits on MTV.com and YouTube.^[49] The film premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Ironically, Gibson's former music rival Tiffany had her film Necrosis (a.k.a. Blood Snow) premiere at the Cannes as well.^[50]

Tiffany and Debbie Gibson starred in a Syfy original movie entitled Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, aired on January 29, 2011.^[51] The pairing was at the suggestion of Tiffany, who wanted to play off their supposed rivalry.^[52]

Personal life[link]

Over the years, Gibson has been the subject of stalkers. Robert Bardo, who was convicted for murdering actress Rebecca Schaeffer in 1989, had a wall in his house adorned with pictures of Gibson and Tiffany.^[53] In May 1998, Michael Falkner, a disgruntled fan from Eau Claire, WI, was arrested outside Manhattan's Palace Theater, where Gibson was performing in the live musical adaptation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This was after Gibson received threatening letters, emails and faxes from Falkner, who used the alias 'Starcade'.^[54][55] However, a temporary restraining order was not issued by the court, and a court date was set to determine if a restraining order was appropriate in the matter.^[56] The proceeding was dismissed when Gibson failed to show up at the courthouse for the hearing to present her case.^[57]

Although never married, Gibson was once engaged to Jonathan Kanterman and is currently in a relationship with Dr. Rutledge Taylor.^[58][59]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Out of the Blue (1987)
• Electric Youth (1989)
• Anything Is Possible (1990)
• Body Mind Soul (1993)
• Think With Your Heart (1995)
• Deborah (1997)
• M.Y.O.B. (2001)
• Colored Lights: The Broadway Album (2003)
• Ms. Vocalist (2010)^[60]

Charted singles[link]

The following singles charted in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland and/or the Netherlands.

Filmography[link]

Film[link]

• Ghostbusters (1984) (uncredited)^[64]
• The Manhattan Project (1986) (uncredited)
• Sweet Liberty (1986) (uncredited)
• My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (1999)
• Wedding Band (2001)
• Soulkeeper (2001)
• Celeste in the City (2004)
• Coffee Date (2006)
• Body/Antibody (2007)
• Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus (2009)
• Mega Python vs. Gatoroid (2011)

Television[link]

• Beverly Hills, 90210 East Side Story (1991)
• Street Justice as Gabrielle in Backbeat (1991)
• Step by Step (1995)
• The Kidsongs Television Show: Fun With Manners (1995)
• That '80s Show (2002)
• Maggie Bloom as Maggie Bloom (2000)
• American Juniors as judge (2003)
• Skating with Celebrities (2006)
• Rita Rocks as Cindy Schotz "Old Friends" (2009)
• Celebrity Ghost Stories (2010)
• Celebrity Apprentice (2012)

Awards and achievements[link]

Career highlights[link]

• Youngest person to ever write, produce and perform a No. 1 single (1988)
• Debut Album of the Year - "Out of the Blue" - New York Music Awards (1989)
• Debut Artist of the Year - New York Music Awards (1989)
• ASCAP Songwriter of the Year (tied with Bruce Springsteen) (1989)
• Nominated Favorite Female Music Performer - People's Choice Awards (1990)
• Rock Producer of the Year - American Songwriter Awards (1990)
• Nominated Best Pop Female Vocalist - American Music Awards (1990)
• Artist of the Year - New York Music Awards (1990)
• Song of the Year - "Lost In Your Eyes" - New York Music Awards (1990)
• Best Pop Female Vocalist - New York Music Awards (1990)

Active supporter of charities[link]

• Pediatric AIDS Foundation^{[citation needed]}
• The Make-A-Wish Foundation^{[citation needed]}
• St. Mary's Children & Families Foundation^[65]
• Red Cross Clothes Drive^{[citation needed]}
• Children International^[66]
• Long Island Head Injury Association^{[citation needed]}

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Debbie Gibson

• Official website
• Debbie Gibson at Allmusic
• Debbie Gibson at the Internet Movie Database
• Deborah Gibson atlantaboy.com interview