Debbie Gibson on Mega Python vs. Gatoroid: "We've Been Put in the Same Sentence Forever — We're Just Happy to Give the People What They Want"
1980s pop sensation Debbie Gibson co-stars with longtime rival Tiffany in Syfy's Saturday Original Movie Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, premiering Saturday, January 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton spoke with Gibson about the long-awaited pop princess smackdown (spoiler: they actually like each other), what it was like being ducked under a table slathered in whipped cream and banana cream pie, her concerns for today's teen stars living under constant paparazzi scrutiny, her Playboy spread, advice for young people in the business, and the possibility of future collaborations with Tiffany.
From the Vault · 2011
This is an archival piece from the Premier Guide Miami collection. The coverage, context, and details reflect the time it was originally published.
1980s pop sensation Debbie Gibson co-stars with longtime rival Tiffany in Syfy's Saturday Original Movie Mega Python vs. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.
1980s pop sensation Debbie Gibson co-stars with longtime rival Tiffany in Syfy's Saturday Original Movie Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, premiering Saturday, January 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Gibson plays Nikki and Tiffany plays Terry in what Syfy is billing as the long-awaited pop princess smackdown. Gibson was featured on the Motown album "The East Coast Family Vol. 1" and has had a long career in music, Broadway, and television.
On her relationship with Tiffany on and off screen: "I think it'll be more therapeutic for people to watch who have fantasized about that happening. I know that this is not what you want to hear but I really never did have the desire to slap Tiffany in the face. Just in the movie. We've been put in the same sentence forever and ever and we're well aware that there are definite pop-culture fans out there that have wanted us to collaborate on something for a long time. And we're just happy to give them what they want. We're giving the people what they want — and more."
On the most memorable moment on set: "At one point we were ducked under a table slathered in like whipped cream and banana cream pie and we looked at each other and went — what? What is going on here? I recently sent Tiffany an email saying that I really feel the most fun I had was working on this movie. It was the highlight of my year. It was so much fun I went into withdrawal when it was over."
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On today's teen stars versus her own experience: "I don't envy the teen stars growing up right now and having their every move being scrutinized. The paparazzi were not going to look to find me at a bowling alley or a roller rink on Long Island, which is pretty much where I was in my down time. For now, somebody goes into a bathroom at a party and they're snapped on an iPhone and it's everywhere. It's really daunting. I don't know that I would have escaped with my sanity had I had to deal with that."
Advice for young people in the business: "Stay open to doing all these things and be versatile. Make sure your chops are developed in every area because to have a long, sustainable career — that's why Tiffany and I are still here doing this. We've been able to be versatile and do new things."
On future collaborations with Tiffany: "I'm somebody who takes one step at a time and I never say never. If something comes up and it interests she and I, I'm sure we would both entertain it. I mean, who would've thought this movie would've come up and we would have gone, sure — Tiffany and I and alligators and pythons. You could never have even envisioned that coming up."
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