From ’80s Teen Hitmaker to Broadway, Debbie Gibson is Ready for a New Stage: The Rose Parade

When Debbie Gibson was chosen to perform in the Grand Finale of the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, she already had a strong connection to the event, even though she had only seen it on TV. Her friend, Jimmy Van Patten, had often shared his experiences, as he and his father, Dick Van Patten, attended the parade many times together.

Actor Dick Van Patten, known for his role in “Eight is Enough,” helped co-found Natural Balance Pet Foods, which previously sponsored floats in the Rose Parade. Jimmy Van Patten, also an actor, has worked with Gibson in musical theater.

Gibson expressed her admiration for the Rose Parade, saying, "I know it has a lot of heart. I’ve never been involved in a parade where there is so much care about the detail of creating an arrangement to perform a song in a way that no one’s ever heard it before." This detail-oriented approach excited her.

She confirmed that she plans to showcase many of her abilities in her performance, promising to "pack a lot in" and present everything in a dramatic and theatrical manner. The organizers also focus on elaborate costume design for the event. "I will be donning some roses," Gibson shared, noting that she usually handles her costume design but appreciates the strong vision from the parade committee.

Gibson is thrilled to share the stage with Betty Who and to perform alongside Debbie Allen and her dance group, celebrating three generations of women together.

At just 16 years old, Gibson became a pioneer in pop music. She co-wrote, co-produced, and performed the entire track list for her debut album, “Out of the Blue,” released in 1987. The album reached the top 10 and generated four top five singles on the Billboard charts, including the hit "Foolish Beat." Her follow-up album, "Electric Youth," released in 1989, also went multi-platinum and included another number-one hit, "Lost in Your Eyes."

After her early success, Gibson transitioned into acting while continuing to produce music. She has participated in 17 musicals over 17 years, including renowned productions like "Les Miserables" and "Cabaret" on Broadway. Additionally, she has a variety of film and TV credits, including appearances in “Rock of Ages,” the Hallmark Channel’s “Summer of Dreams,” and Netflix’s “Lucifer.”

In 2022, Gibson released “Winterlicious,” her first holiday album, which she felt was the right time for her to make a musical statement. "I always vowed, until I have something really spectacular to say musically, I’m just going to stay quiet," she explained.

The album features new songs written by her, as well as covers of holiday classics, such as the Sammy Davis Jr. favorite “The Candy Man,” which she feels embodies the festive spirit of the season. Her duet with New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre, titled “Heartbreak Holiday,” is another highlight on the album.

The collaboration with McIntyre has been described by her as a “magical thing,” remembering how much the audiences enjoyed it and how fans expressed their excitement about seeing their idols together. This nostalgic connection made Gibson envision fans as young boys and girls with posters of them on their walls.

Gibson believes that she and McIntyre share similar work ethics and aspirations. Both have rich backgrounds in Broadway, and she expressed her enthusiasm about meeting Betty Who at the Rose Parade, as they all come from the same theatrical roots.

artist, performance, music