Deborah GibsonThe original American Idol-herself DEBORAH GIBSON landed in Manhattan yesterday for a whirlwind series of press-stops in advance of her NY-version of her 'DEBORAH GIBSON ELECTRIC YOUTH' performance camp next month in NYC. The L.A. version was earlier this year and was a critical success, with the like of HOWIE DOROUGH, from The Backstreet Boys, and talk-show wizard WAYNE BRADY on hand as celebrity guests. Says Gibson, "One day I woke up and decided to do something like this that would honor my many successes and pass the torch, so to speak, to identify the next generation of writing and performing stars." Now based in L.A., Gisbon said she's become acutely aware of the short life-span of many of the co-called new 'teen idols' and wanted to realistically seek out the new talents who would not only be able to create, but be able to generate and sustain a career. She's been a star since she was 16 and because of the care and attention she's taken with it, it's all work out very well indeed with a rich-sustaining sheen. She just finished a run in THE KING AND I, that re-awakened her to the rich tapestry of that play. Gibson still holds the record for the 'youngest performer ever to have written, performed, and produced a #1 Pop Record.' She just locked a TV deal ... which shoots next week in L.A. First stop in NYC was the CW11 where she was interviewed by EMILY FRANCES while they showed several snippets of the L.A. event; then to the new MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW where she was interviewed by him. Next, WOR radio where she was the feature guest on the always-brilliant JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW, where she revealed more about the camp and performed, on an electric piano in the studio, "On My Own" from LES MISERABLES, which was her first major stint on Broadway. Next up was OUT ON THE Q on the SIRIUS network, with old friend LARRY FLICK, who first met Deborah when her first single ("Only In My Dreams" from the album OUT OF THE BLUE) and album came out. Flick was a music journalist with BILLBOARD MAGAZINE and has now become the host of the show, along with KEITH PRICE. They spoke about the early days as well as the camp and Flick invited her to return next month with some of the featured kids. She also visited with STEVE LEEDS (with ANABELLA POLAND), now a talent exec. there, but originally at Atlantic Records during Gibson's rise there. Flick also revealed his favorite Gibson album as THINK WITH YOUR HEART ... chock full of beautiful piano-driven ballads. Gibson also visited the HOWARD STERN studios while there, and although Stern and company were away, she feasted on the ample supply of cupcakes ... leaving Stern and Gary Dell'Abate personalized greetings.
Gibson, a true American Idol!
Britney Spears
