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CNN Live Today
Interview with Deborah Gibson
Aired September 04, 2002 - 11:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Contain yourself. Tonight is the night that fans find out whether Justin or Kelly will be voted the winner on "American Idol."
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, Lord. When will it be over?
KAGAN: Not soon enough for you. Our guest this morning knows something about the life in the spotlight, and what it takes to be a star.
Deborah Gibson -- you might remember her as Debbie -- exploded on the pop scene at the age of 16. She has sold more than 16 million albums worldwide, and she's had several -- several starring roles on Broadway. She is in Detroit today. She is obsessed with American Idol, and she joins us from the motor city. We found that out about you, Deborah -- good morning, by the way.
DEBORAH GIBSON, ACTRESS: I will tell you, I can't hide my enthusiasm for the show. Good morning to you too.
KAGAN: How -- from the beginning, did you catch onto the show? Have you been watching it the whole time?
GIBSON: Oh, they suckered me in right from the first previews. I was like, why didn't they have this show on when I was trying to get a record deal? I was so excited about the fact of you know, we got a chance to be the flies on the wall, and watch these kids go through this process, and down to those final two.
KAGAN: Well, as somebody who made it without the help of a show like this, how good of a test do you think that this show is of talent?
GIBSON: Well, I mean, it is a good test in how people deal with stress, because they are really truly being thrust into the spotlight at a at a record-breaking pace. It is not a test of their stamina, because they have only ever had to do the most was last night, three songs in one show. Normally, obviously, you have got to get up there, I was doing three shows a night you know...
KAGAN: Back in the day, Deborah.
GIBSON: Back in the day. But hey, if they can spare themselves all that stress, more power to them.
KAGAN: All right. Let's get right down to it. Justin and Kelly, who do you like, who is going to win? GIBSON: In the beginning, I was a Justin fan, but Kelly has really been the one to win over everybody, I think, because I just think her vocal chops (ph) are there, and they are so God given, it is like she sing as natural as we breathe. I mean, it just kind of pops out, and she is very endearing, very genuine. I think she might take it.
KAGAN: She seems to even kind of surprise herself. I think she is growing into herself, but for a few weeks there she would sing and belt out these big songs and then at the end, just has this look of surprise, like who did that, who sang that song?
GIBSON: Yes, she is incredible.
KAGAN: What about Justin? The girls...
GIBSON: I'm sorry?
KAGAN: What about Justin? The little girls certainly seem to like him.
GIBSON: Yes, and you know, never underestimate the power of little girls. So that, I think, is where the competition comes in at this point. I think Kelly actually at this point has performed better, but I do think that if those little girls are on the phone, they will be all over Justin, but you know what, in the U.K., the runner-up had a bigger radio single than the winner, so I think both of them certainly have huge careers ahead of them. I mean, I think the whole top five or six have careers ahead of them, so I think the show is a great showcase.
KAGAN: That is kind of the good thing, there really are no losers at this point. People who are fans...
GIBSON: No, to get this kind of exposure, you know, is amazing.
KAGAN: You would have killed for that when you were trying to break in.
GIBSON: Completely. I had to win my audience over like 100 club goers at a time. I would have loved to have got to belt out "Only in My Dreams" for 14 million at a time. I mean, it is great, it is good for them. It is great. I am really happy, I am a supporter of young talent and I came from there, so I really, really love the show.
KAGAN: Now, you are different than a lot of kids that made it as a pop idols in that you had staying power, and you had enough talent to kind of spread your talents around, and to still make a living at this.
GIBSON: Thank you. Thank you. Yes, I have done a ton of theater, I am continuing to do theater. I am continuing to do theater. I am doing Chicago and Boston coming up next. It is at the North Shore Music Theater, so that is really one of my first big adult roles. It is about time, I am in my early 30s now. But theater has been a wonderful transition for me, and I think my advice to these kids...
KAGAN: Yes, that was my next question.
GIBSON: Hey -- I am reading your mind. No. I think that, you know, they should get more into the writing end and the producing end because that has been also -- the reason why I have been able to maintain, because I have a fan base that you know, whether an album sells a million or 100,000 or whatever it is, the fans are anxious to hear what is coming from me, and I think that when you make it that personal, it is rewarding no matter what, and you have staying power because you are not reliant on other people, and I think that is very important as you get older and continue your career.
KAGAN: Don't want to have to wait around for someone else to finally give you the gift.
GIBSON: Nope. I wouldn't want that.
KAGAN: I guess it is way too early to tell if any of these people have longevity. I mean, only time will tell?
GIBSON: Only time will tell. I mean, I think that it is going to depend on if they have a great support team around them, helping them stay sane and healthy and happy. My theory -- and my mom has always managed me, and her theory is, is to protect me, the human being and my spirit first and foremost, because I think everything stems from that, and hopefully there won't people running these kids into the ground, and hopefully they will know enough to be able to say, Hey, I need a break, or I need to slow down the pace a little, so yes. Time will tell. That is a learning process, though. You want to say yes to everything in the beginning.
KAGAN: And here is the big scheduling question for you, Deborah, because you are in Detroit to do this benefit for Children in Crisis, but does that mean you are going to miss the show tonight?
GIBSON: It is horrible. We are going to have TVs at Ford Field, because we are going a run through tonight, and between our numbers, me and all the dancers are going to be like running into the green room to watch the TV, and we have people taping it for us, so you know -- anyone around here wants to pop a tape in the VCR for me?
KAGAN: A little behind the scenes secret about what is taking place.
GIBSON: I will have the cell phone on vibrate in my pocket. I will be right in the middle of a number. I will be like, stop the presses. I need to find out.
KAGAN: Stop the song one moment, children. We have to find out who won "American Idol."
GIBSON: Absolutely. Get your priorities straight, people.
KAGAN: We appreciate your time and your insight on "American Idol." GIBSON: Thank you. Thank you.
KAGAN: Deborah Gibson joining us from Detroit.
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