Deborah Gibson & Tiffany Battle it Out on

Deborah Gibson & Tiffany Battle it Out on "Mega Python vs Gatoroid"

Published: Saturday, 05 February 2011 16:59 | Written by AJ Grillo

By AJ Grillo

"Mega Python Vs Gatoroid"

On Saturday January 29th 80's pop icons Debbie Gibson and Tiffany worked together for the first time in the Syfy original movie Mega Python vs. Gatoroid. A fanatical animal rights advocate (Gibson) steals exotic snakes from pet stores and sets them free in the Florida Everglades. Here they grow to extremely large sizes. Seeing this as a threat to the Florida Everglades, a park ranger (Tiffany) injects the swamp's alligators with large amounts of steroids, increasing their size to battle the snakes. The end result is a battle for the ages. This was the second monster movie for both ladies as Gibson previously starred in Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, while Tiffany starred in Mega Piranha.

At the tender age of sixteen Debbie Gibson was the youngest person ever to write, produce, and perform a number one single (Foolish Beat). Through the years Gibson has been a constant entertainer; when not making albums she's had a very successful theater run, starring in many of Broadway's top plays.

Tiffany performed on Star Search at the age of twelve before she was discovered. Like Gibson, Tiffany has been a constant performer. When not singing, she has been acting, doing many guest spots on TV shows.

Debbie Gibson and Tiffany sat down with the digital media to discuss their new project.

"Mega Python Vs Gatoroid"

Though the stylings of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany were vastly different that didn't stop the media from constantly comparing them. The media created a rivalry between the two women, yet there was no such rivalry as far as the entertainers were concerned. Gibson said as much in the interview. "I used to always think fans can own more than one record. So why can't they like both of us...Why does there have to be a favorite? I just never understood that whole thing. I understood it from the point of media sensation but I didn't really understand it."

Tiffany has worked with the Asylum production team before on Mega Piranha so she stopped by the Syfy studios to thank them, which sparked the idea for Mega Python vs. Gatoroid, "The subject came up about Deborah and I maybe doing something together. And I leapt at the chance. I said, "If you guys can make that happen I think our fans would love it. I know I would love it. I would love to do another movie," " Tiffany confessed in the interview.

Gibson and Tiffany were very gracious in answering questions during the interview. They are both true professionals of the business and we should expect to see many more great things to come from them in the future. The complete transcript from the interview can be viewed below.

QUESTION: Can you both talk about what it's been like after all these years to still be connected and now be doing a movie together as women?

TIFFANY: I think it's great. I think it's something that our fans have waited for a long time. I mean the funny thing to me is who would've thought that pythons and gators would unite us.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Would bring us together yes.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: ...be something musical. But instead it's this great movie that I truly enjoyed making.

And it was awesome for me to be able to get to know Debbie more because we've really never had a chance to sit and talk. So I think that that was one of also the perks of being able to work with each other on this movie.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes I mean back in the day I - we were both kind of running so fast that running just as fast as we can to coin a phrase.

And we would cross paths, doing a TV show here or there or whatever. But it was really like ships in the night.

And like Tiffany said this was a chance for us to really work together. I know I speak for myself where I definitely developed a lot of admiration for Tiffany and her abilities and her work ethic and besides the fact that we just had a crazy good fun.

Like 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?

But yes I mean yes, we've been put in the same sentence forever and ever and we're - we - we're well aware that there are definite pop-culture fans out there that have wanted some - us to collaborate on something for a long time. And we're just happy to like give them what they want. We're giving the people what they want.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: (Unintelligible) exactly. We've always...

DEBORAH GIBSON: I think...

TIFFANY: ...been up to something so...

DEBORAH GIBSON: We're giving you what you want and more.

QUESTION: When filming the fight scene, how therapeutic was it given how much the media has made over the rivalry?

DEBORAH GIBSON: 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.

TIFFANY: Oh come on. No I've never had that either. I mean again going back to all this animosity and rivalry and that was...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Who had time for that?

TIFFANY: ...I think. Yes I think you would get tired maybe of like talking about somebody so much that you especially don't know. I mean that was the whole thing. I never really spent time with Deborah before.

So I was like well now I'm not going to ask your questions for me and her which is a lot. And you're 17. You're trying to work your career and take it all in.

To be on set and then to have this whole cake fighting scene and stuff like that, it was just fun.

I looked at her as like - and I do now. I look at her as like a sister kind of thing. There is that rivalry but not really. There's that love.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Right.

TIFFANY: So we've been together for a long time. Now it's coming full circle that we actually are developing a friendship.

QUESTION: My question is I guess for both of you...Now that New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys are sort of going out on a tour together what do you think about the two of you doing some kind of musical tour together? Would you ever want to do something like that?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well yes I mean for starters we're doing like in appearance together this weekend at the Canal Room in New York.

I mean I don't know how Tiffany feels about this but, I've always wanted to reestablish my next chapter in music before doing that.

And in a way that's what New Kids did. They had this incredible new hit album established who they are currently and now they're pairing up. So I could see things possibly going in that direction.

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 think if it deterred us each from our individual musical goals then - and it wasn't right then we wouldn't.

I mean I'm certainly open to entertaining anything. I mean like she said earlier who would've thought this movie would've come up and we would have gone sure.

Tiffany and I and alligators and pythons okay. You could never of even envisioned that coming up. So yes I mean I'm open to it if it's the right thing at the right time.

QUESTION: Tiffany what are your thoughts on it?

TIFFANY: I mean definitely, I agree. I mean as of right now musically I'm headed into a country direction.

I've got a new album coming out next month called Rose Tattoo. It's a total different sound than maybe, well Obviously I Think We're Alone Now on the pop stuff. I haven't abandoned that but I kind of put that into the new sound as well.

So I think if it's for the right reason and it shines a bright light on it, it would be a great thing.

Again going back to the fans, I think that they deserve it and they would appreciate it but it can't take away from what we're doing currently now. It has to be something that embraces that as well.

QUESTION: There [are] so many young actresses and singers out there who...you read in the tabloids they're getting into trouble with the paparazzi catching them in compromising positions.

Was the media scrutiny as intense when you were teenagers? And what advice would you give to young girls who are just starting to break into show business?

TIFFANY: Why I mean myself I don't think it was as intense with the paparazzi. Two things, I think for us being the child stars girl next-door it wasn't acceptable at that time to be out of control. I mean that really would've been a career ender.

And I think we both knew that and respected it and we weren't those types of people. I mean I know for myself singing was my high. I just loved what I was doing. So I wasn't looking to deter from that.

Now I think it is a little different because it's more about being seen and going to parties and clubs. And I think that the teen artists that, now have a lot more deterrence and a lot more leeway of what's acceptable.

You really have to kind of be your own kind of consultant on that because I think that sometimes they're led astray at this point.

But for me there wasn't paparazzi on every corner. I still had safety zones. My home was off limits. And I could do things where there wasn't somebody always there. Now somebody snaps a picture of you with their iPhone and it's everywhere.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes I mean I think it's what Tiffany's saying too like I agree there it's - and it's both things. It's A we were more responsible. We were not seeking out fame for fame sake. We did retreat to our respective hometowns.

And the paparazzi were not looking - even if the paparazzi were as bad as they are now they 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, not very exciting for tabloid fodder.

So yes, I'm mean the extent of it for me was like my street was closed off on prom night because the paparazzi - and graduation. They wanted to get a picture of me graduating and they wanted to get pictures of me going to the prom.

That was about the extent of it which for them was a big deal. For now that's, you know, I mean I don't envy the teen stars growing up right now and having their every move being scrutinized.

Tiffany and I - like she said, I think we did make good choices. We were not partiers and all that.

With that said nine out of ten teenagers are so if somebody is just going to want to grow up and develop at their own rate and in their own time it is a shame that their every move is documented.

I mean God if every teenager's every move was documented. We'd be seeing a lot of scary stuff.

But, that's why kids go to college and they experiment. And it's kind of a shame that there's really like nothing sacred anymore like she was saying.

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. I think that's a lot to ask of anyone to deal with.

TIFFANY: Yes and I just think it was - it's a different time.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ...even videos what we wore, I mean I can or remember when I wanted to wear a short skirt and people went crazy.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Oh I know...

TIFFANY: ...so...

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...for me it was wearing black. I wore all black and they were like she's in all black. Alert the media. What? Yes, yes funny.

QUESTION: Going back to the movie what was it like doing these kinds of movies that involve special-effects and green screen technology when you're reacting to something that's not even there? Was that difficult for either of you?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I thought it was really fun. You know what? It goes back to when you're a kid and you play and you use your imagination...

TIFFANY: Exactly.

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...which I think is a blast. You're picturing some giant creature that doesn't exist. You have no idea what it's really going to look like at the end. I still don't know what the creatures look like. I'm going to be as surprised as anybody else.

And you're trying to work with your fellow actors so you're seeing the same thing. And for me I was like channeling the dog on - that lives down the street from me that I always hear from behind a gate but that I don't see and every time it scares the living daylights out of me when it growls when I walk by.

You just tap into whatever it is that gets you to that place. But it's fun. It's like I used to watch Land of the Lost and stuff like that giant, really bad dinosaurs that were created and posed. So yes it was just fun and imaginative.

TIFFANY: It is like just being in your backyard. I mean that's exactly what was happening for me. Because as a kid I was always in the backyard with my stuffed animals and living out and climbing trees and just I was always on, put it that way.

So that's where I put myself. The best was having the director Mary Lambert say okay look, I know there's a huge gator that you can't see but it's huge.

And you're saying oh look, look at the gator and some other kind of semi-cheesy lines. But I really want to see that in your eyes.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes. Mary was so great at giving us...

TIFFANY: So that was like the best instruction.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes. She was great at - with all due respect to Tiffany and I, previous Syfy movies, the other megas and all that but, I think this had more thanks to Mary, and did have more of a focused tone.

TIFFANY: Yes.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Not to make it sound like Shakespeare but it just she really did I think create a world in which all - we were all seeing the same things and feeling the same level of fear.

And, as they say in acting class it's like not funny to the actors, funny to the audience.

So the more we committed to the fact that we were really seeing these creatures I mean I think that's what's going to make it the most fun for the audience to watch.

TIFFANY: Definitely.

QUESTION: I'm looking forward into the future. I know Debbie you've done a lot of theater here in the United States and in England. So you have any plans to do anymore?

And Tiffany I'm not quite as sure about you but also - would you also be interested in doing live theater, musical theater, or acting of some sort?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I'm waiting for the phone to ring for them to call us to do Velma and Roxy together in Chicago. I'm just saying.

I'd like to do more. I think I'll do theater my whole life. Women like Patty LuPone and Betty Buckley, I mean they're as much heroes to me as Elton John and Billy Joel.

With that said unless it's something really, really amazing or originating a roll I want to focus on my music and I'm doing a new album also this year so that'll be the prime focus.

TIFFANY: I would love to do something on Broadway. That's one thing with Deborah I went - I've seen you twice...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ...on Broadway and she's amazing. And so it's always funny because I always bring my son and he never comes to anything I do but he'll go to see Debbie Gibson.

But, that's definitely something I would love to do. And I'm going to be seeking that out. Musically again, I'm doing the new album this year and doing a lot of touring off of that.

But I have a lot of goals and dreams and things that I want to do. I want to continue in the acting world. I'd love to do more Syfy. I'm just really such a fan and there's just so much more that now I'm addicted so there's no stopping me.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes and that's another good point. You were asking me earlier for advice for young people in the business and stuff.

Stay open to doing all these things and be versatile and 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 because we've been able to be versatile and do new things.

And for me I know when the music trends were doing one thing I was able to go do Broadway. There's no role I want to do on Broadway. Here we are doing this Syfy film.

It's like you can always be challenged and be working and enjoying and that there's never a dull moment...

TIFFANY: Right.

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...and it isn't like it's so great to hear Tiffany say, after 22, 23 years in the business it's like oh my God I've got this whole new chapter of dreams and goals and all of that, and I'm in the same place.

And that's so cool because we could be sitting here, going ho-hum all right, time to pack it in.

TIFFANY: Well and I think too, that there's something about when it's in your blood as an artist. I know for me there's never been a plan B. I've been...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Me too.

TIFFANY: ...singing since I was a little girl. I'm so thankful that it worked out because I drove my family nuts.

Add I'm constantly not driving myself crazy like what am I going to do, that panic situation. It's I really am dreaming. I have dreams and goals and things that I can see myself wanting to do. And I've always been that way.

So there's never a ho-hum moment for me. There's times that things don't work out the way I planned but such is life. And especially I think it's magnified maybe in this industry. You have to be resilient for that.

But, as an artist it's like I will sing even if I'm just in my shower. It's got to come out. So, to be able to have these opportunities I think that's why I'm always think it sounds great. It sounds fun and it sounds like I can grow as a person.

So I'm always thankful and I never - same thing what Debbie was saying. I never have a closed mind about things.

QUESTION: So we actually want to start sort of at the beginning of the movie and find out how you got involved with the film and, you know, the casting process?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well I want to ask Tiffany now that I have her on the phone I heard a rumor Tif that you put the idea in everybody's heads to maybe do one together. Is that true?

TIFFANY: I did. I did. You can thank me later or not.

DEBORAH GIBSON: No I love it. I'm so thankful.

TIFFANY: I mean I...

DEBORAH GIBSON: I love it.

TIFFANY: ...I think it was really good. Deborah had done Mega Shark which now, all these years later we have a lot of mutual friends and a lot of fans on my Facebook, her Facebook.

So I think both of us are still very plugged into what the other person is doing. And so I was and I saw Mega Shark. I was like oh cool, again being a Syfy fan I thought that's really awesome.

Then Mega Piranha came my way. I read the script and I thought I would love to do this. And I think I kind of want to do it for my fans as well but also my son who's 18, that's one of the only things we watch together.

So it kind of was a cringe for him and a fun thing for me. So I went ahead and I did Mega Piranha.

And then when I was in New York both films were very successful. I just wanted to come by the Syfy offices and say thank you for the opportunity, meet everyone.

And as we were just talking and kind of brainstorming a little bit, the subject came up about Deborah and I may be doing something together.

And I leapt at the chance. I said if you guys can make that happen I think our fans would love it. I know I would love it. I would love to do another movie.

And we've yet to be able to really do something together. And everybody thinks it's going to be musical but yet we've never really been on the same page with that just for other projects and it just doesn't seem to work out.

But maybe this is something that we really could do to gather and it would be fun, so kind of pushing the issues a little bit. And by the time I walked out of the office everybody was on board and now we just have to call Debbie.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: So I was so glad when she said yes and it all came true.

DEBORAH GIBSON: So yes for me I just basically got a call one day. And I was almost waiting for that call. But when I knew, obviously I did the most - are you hearing the same crackling I'm hearing? I don't know if it's just me? Oh wait.

TIFFANY: Yes, no I have it too.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Okay. I knew that when I did one and then she did one I figured at some point that it might come up. And yes same thing. I was like oh my God. I did go through a process with that. I thought is it too gimmicky? Will people start putting us in the same (unintelligible) all the time? What will...

And at the end of the day it just came down to what Tiffany said, and let's not overanalyze this. This is going to be a blast and it's going to be giving people what they want and we're going to have a great time.

And I did a lot of projects this last year. And I just actually 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.

TIFFANY: It was kind of sad. It was like oh what do

DEBORAH GIBSON: I really - yes.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: ...for us - I mean for me it was really just because, going back everybody's always thought that there was this rivalry thing.

And then to be able to be sitting with her on set and just talk and talk about the next things that we want to accomplish and my son and, her relationship and just food and just all the normal things that people get a chance to talk about to really...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ...get to know that person was a highlight for me because I walked away going, there's a person that I have photos with all throughout my house people (unintelligible) that happened.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: But I can actually say we're friends now...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ...I know something about her which it was - I think that was really great.

DEBORAH GIBSON: I do too. This is a funny story actually. I recently read that Fergie does this too. I bring everything to my therapist.

I'm like do you think this would be good for me? What do we think? He actually said to me, tell me about Tiffany's character. Like is she a woman of great character?

And I said she is a woman of great character. He goes then you should do it. Because that, ...

TIFFANY: Well thank you.

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...it is important that we really bonded and had a good time and had a shared work ethic, which we did.

I think we do have all that. And I think we are both very "normal people" who take pride in having our real personal lives. And she's a mom, a great mom and that's a huge juggling act.

I think we did really enjoy getting to know that about each other. But I think we have a mutual respect for each other as just as women at this point.

TIFFANY: Definitely. I mean...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ... also it's like we're different. We've always been different. And at times that was probably, I can say at 16, 17 that was a struggle for me because it was - she was so different from me.

But as an adult I look at that and I've watched things that Deborah has done and I admire that. And I'm like oh okay, different is okay.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: And together...

DEBORAH GIBSON: I'm the cheesy one. You can say it, no.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: ...stand as this ultimate person because I'm a survivor. I have quirkiness about me. I had a whole different upbringing.

And so what I'm going to say and what she's going to say but if you blend that together I think you get some really great advice on life and also about how to be a woman in this industry long term and about the passion of being an artist.

And we really bring this whole, this really kind of full circle opinion on things which is really nice to be able to acknowledge that now.

QUESTION: Are we going to see any catfights between both of you?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Oh in the movie?

TIFFANY: No, not unless she's wearing some fabulous shoes I don't have or something. That's the only time now that I think we're going to have spats if there is one because we both have a sense for fashion so...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Oh my God. No, we did a sitting. We didn't even fight over who's going to get what clothes. I know it's very sad. I'm sorry we don't hate each other more.

QUESTION: Are you guys going to try to create stuff? I have a feeling that we're going to be set up at some point in the next like year?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I know.

QUESTION: It's fine that you guys have patched things up. And, you know, are you healed from all of what happened back in the day's, the rivalry?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Again, I don't know if you've been on the whole call but what healing up? What patching up? What's the whole...

TIFFANY: Yes we never dated the same guy. There was no really intense drama.

DEBORAH GIBSON: No. No there was no - yes.

...

There was really never any rivalry to speak of. That was all kind of - when (Britney) and (Christina) came out it was who do you like better?

And I remember again thinking okay we're pitting like a super vocalist against a kind of dancer performer.

They are so not similar. The only thing they have in common is their age. Why are we forcing people to choose one?

And I used to always think also fans can own more than one record. So why can't they like both of us and go to both - why does there have to be a favorite?

I just never understood that whole thing. I understood it from the point of media sensation but I didn't really understand it.

And so yes, we are good. But again we're just kind of playing out what - the supposed rivalry for the fans that kind of imagine there was, still want to believe there was and they'll enjoy seeing this play out on film.

QUESTION: You guys were both (stars) when you were young. Can you somewhat relate to Justin Bieber and his success right now in some ways?

TIFFANY: Oh definitely. I mean, for me I was having the time of my life. It looks like he is as well.

Every interview - he's actually one of my favorite young stars right now. And I just love watching him because he does look like he's having the time of his life.

And there's something that I guess for myself that I wish if I could go back I would've changed but it was a different time.

When Deborah and I were coming out I think a lot of people wanted to discredit our talents. They wanted to say well, there's the whole Wizard of Oz thing. There's somebody behind the magic curtain that's producing your vocals and you can't really sing and you're really not as talented and you don't have a mind of where you really want to be.

And I think with Justin Bieber when I watch him he's getting to be this great entertainer and also a kid and have fun with it. And he doesn't have to worry about having always the right answer or having to sing everything so perfectly.

He is getting to have a chance to own his success and also grow up at the same time which is wonderful.

I think that probably the industry at this point if there's one thing that we've done right is especially in his case is that we've allowed that to happen.

QUESTION: So the two of you have talked about the importance of being versatile. But...a lot of actors and musicians are versatile but they're not all relevant.

The two of you have remained relevant all these years. What's sort of the secret to that?

DEBORAH GIBSON: First of all thank you. I feel like, the relevant thing comes and goes.

It's funny it's like ten years after releasing my first record I wasn't cool. And then when 20 years goes by you're relevant again and you're cool again. And things are just circular.

So I think the key, it's like take a lesson from Cher. If you just keep doing what you do and wait for the type of comeback around instead of kind of selling out trying to be who you're not and chasing trends, I think if you just do your thing and you stay in the game long enough that that relevance thing just keeps coming back around.

And I think that both Tiffany and I live in the real world. I know there's always the image from back in the day of pop princesses living in the bubble kind of a thing.

I'll speak for myself but also even just in hearing Tiffany's new music and her writing I think we both have lived a lot of life and we will continue to live a lot of real life which keeps us connected to real people.

And then you can always be relevant. You're always going to be writing about things that people are actually living as opposed to...

TIFFANY: Right.

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...being kind of far removed.

TIFFANY: And I think that's the whole thing is just live. For me I don't think about trying to chase down the success that I once had.

I just do what's natural to me. I enjoy the process. There's times that I do sit back and go wow, would I really want all that craziness? As great as it is it's a lot. It's a big commitment to be on top of the charts and to just be everything to everybody all at once.

Sometimes for me now I'm kind of like, I would love that because musically that's successful.

But it's a tall order as a person whereas doing an album and then getting to go off and do projects and going home and being a mom and all this other stuff that I do with just living is a nice balance for me.

Projects that I do now it's like I really put my whole heart and soul into it. And I also have some say and control in it.

And it's great to see some of this stuff that goes even further than I had imagined and to be a part of that process whereas sometimes when you have the instant success it's just this thing rolling down the hill and you're just kind of going along with the flow.

((Crosstalk))

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well that's what (unintelligible) right. When you're younger it takes you for a ride. And I think as you get older you can actually do things on your own terms of little more and be in a little bit more control of that ride.

TIFFANY: Yes.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes, yes. And again...

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: I don't think you can really sit back and try to -- not to cut you off -- but I don't think you can sit back and try to chase things.

You have to just be and just live and like Deborah was saying, share in all these great examples that we both admire, just kind of do their thing and then they come full circle back around.

One of my biggest people that I look up to his Bette Midler, Stevie Nicks, people that have had quite the years but they're always creating. That's kind of a chance to recharge your batteries and hopefully come back and have this renewed spirit about you.

QUESTION: When we look at somebody like Lindsay Lohan for example I feel like despite what she's gone through is that she now has sort of a certain level of freedom in that, you know, whatever she does or stars in, she can take the opinion that, well, people are not going to like me. They're going to bad things about me regardless.

But the two of you are very well liked. You've avoided major controversies. Is it more difficult when you are sort of well liked? Is it more difficult? Is there more pressure to not disappoint your fans?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well yes I think it's funny because both Tiffany and I did Playboy for example. And you consider that. You say oh God people like to think of us as, virginal little teenagers and will this offend them.

And so there is more to think about when you do have a "likable" persona if you will. It's almost easier to be scandalous and disliked, you're right, because you then can kind of get away with anything you want.

But with that said, I think you take that into consideration, but then you can't be restricted either by caring so much what people are going to think, and so much like protecting some image or some persona that you had 100 years ago.

Everybody grows, changes, evolves. So I remember when Playboy came up I thought, oh my God, like I proclaimed back in the day that nudity is bad and I would never do Playboy.

But, if we all lived by things we said when we were 16 we would never grow. So...

TIFFANY: Right.

DEBORAH GIBSON: ... It definitely is its own challenge when you are likable and you do have a "certain image."

But for me I've chosen to not get stuck in that or let that really affect my choices to any great degree because at the end of the day I have to be happy with my choices and then people can like it or not.

And luckily people have been very respectful of the fact that I do make my choices and stand by them. And then people whether they like them or not they'd still support the choices and me and similarly for Tiffany but Tiffany can tell you more about that.

TIFFANY: Well I think, for me it's always been my fans have grown up. I mean they're always great when I have somebody who's 18 and comes up and rediscovers I Think We're Alone Now.

And me for whatever reason maybe Fit Club and now Syfy that's always great. But the hard-core fan who has been with me since the Mall Tour days, that girl that bought the first jean jacket or the first Tiffany album she's now married with kids or has had divorces or is a full-time workaholic like me. There is so much more to bond with that person.

So anything that I choose to do I think that it may not be of their liking but they get it. And I'm so grateful for my fans for allowing me to do those kinds of things.

Because I talk about it a lot even when I hit the wall, I'm pretty open about whoops, you know? And that's just something that a relationship I've always kept with my fans and hopefully new fans to come.

So for me it's kind of like we're all growing. We're all changing. Doing Playboy a lot of people were like well, that's not the way I see you and there's just some issues with that.

But as I explain myself as an adult woman and isn't this awesome and I'm with a great bunch of women who've graced the cover of Playboy and what an honor really as a woman.

There's a lot of women that by the end of the conversation go well I have to be honest with you I mean I wouldn't do it but I could get it.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Right.

TIFFANY: That is pretty fabulous. I'd just be too afraid. And that's a whole different thing.

So, once you've kind of explained why and what your head was going through and what it is, an honor -- I'm sure Deborah feels the same way -- it's an honor to be asked to do that.

When I'm 60 I'm going to look back at that and go yes I was hot for a moment in my life.

QUESTION: Who are your biggest inspirations and who would you want to duet with most of all?

TIFFANY: Go for it. You go first.

...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Not to state the obvious, but for me everybody in my genre wants to work with Dr. Luke. Personally because I think he's probably the craftiest pop writer of our time.

And again speaking - talking about being relevant, that's part of what keeps me relevant too is working with current people.

I have a camp that I do called Electric Youth and I write with a lot of these kids. And they keep me relevant because they're 15, 16 years old. They just hear music differently and see things differently.

But growing up I idolized the piano man singer songwriters like Elton John and Billy Joel and the Broadway women like Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand -- people like that.

Iit's funny because my career has ended up being kind of a hybrid of those. You could see all those influences.

But yes and mention people like Cher. Women, especially women that are survivors and that have - just somebody's talking in the background. It's very distracting.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Okay yes. Yes it stopped okay. But yes, I got to work with the late great Eartha Kitt in the tour of the musical Cinderella.

She was an idol of mine. She was kicking her leg over her head still at 76 years old. I mean people that go through all these phases in their careers and come out on top and remain youthful into their later years we know that those of the examples I always use and the people that I admire.

TIFFANY: And for me, I would love to work with Stevie Nicks who's been my ultimate favorite forever.

Emmylou Harris which now I'm moving to Nashville and actually her bass player Chris Donahue just produced my latest single so I have an in that seems to be somewhat hopeful which I'm over the moon about.

And unfortunately Tina Marie was somebody that I really always was inspired by and cried so much when she passed away just recently. And I just kept thinking I never even got a chance to meet her, you know?

So, for me that was a lesson that sometimes you can't make these things happen but definitely, always maybe try to pursue them a little harder.

If just standing in the room when Tina Marie was singing some of her shows -- I went to many of her concerts -- and just having that energy in the room I would always go home and up my game, and be inspired even more to work harder at my career to be a better songwriter and as a vocalist to just kind of live outside the box a little bit.

As far as male entertainers I would love to work with Bono. I mean definitely he's one of my favorites. And the U2 sound is something that's so unique. And I think he's just an awesome person as well. So I would love to meet him and work with him and also Robert Plant.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: I - and one more. I wanted to add one more, Rob Thomas is - he's a pal of mine and someone I admire. I'd love to write and/or do a duet with him.

I think this inspired me to put it out there because I realize I hadn't put that out there and he's my pal and I don't even think I've said it to him so putting it out there.

QUESTION: Is there any special preparations that you had to do for the role in Mega Python versus Gatoroid?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I went and played with some snakes at the local nature preserve. I mean pretty much that was my goal and I ended up not having to really handle a lot of snakes. But I did want to find something likable about them, some reason why I was going to bat for them.

And, physically I wanted to get in shape. But I almost wanted - I almost intentionally went for kind of a scrawny look because I think I was like channeling (Nicole Richie) when she was at her hippy chic I'm an activist...moment in time.

Because it's like it's a type. It's a stereotype. I'm so wired and I'm so into fighting for animal rights that who has time to eat. I just thought it would be kind of a funny stereotype to play with.

And basically that's it. There wasn't a whole lot of time that we had with the script. The final script was coming in two days before shooting. That's kind of it for me.

TIFFANY: Yes, I would like to say it was more in depth for me. And, I handled a baby alligator but that was just because I thought it was cool really.

There wasn't some kind of method that I was going through to prepare for my role unfortunately. But for me I just kind of jumped in, both feet on the ground.

I again, I'm a huge Syfy fan. And now I'm kind of addicted. And so I just showed up ready to work. I was thrilled when they had chosen Mary Lambert as the Director because I'm a huge fan.

Syfy is awesome to work with. They're great people. Working with Asylum the production company, I did Mega Python and I did Piranha with them.

So they're kind of like extended family at this point. So it was just showing up going what are we going to do today.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes...

TIFFANY: I really wanted to keep...

DEBORAH GIBSON: ...preparation was, yes.

TIFFANY: Not really it was just more, kind of feeling out Debbie I guess and kind of - everybody kind of expected this whole okay well we'll just take this and tippy toe of how we handle them.

And that was really funny to me because I was like I think we'll be okay. I mean I don't really know but...

DEBORAH GIBSON: I'm like we're fine. Yes we're the least of it.

TIFFANY: We're going to be good.

DEBORAH GIBSON: There was more drama with the stylist than there was with us.

TIFFANY: They were more afraid of us than the pythons and the gators. I don't get it.

DEBORAH GIBSON: So yes I think Tiffany's right. The biggest part of the preparation was to go in with an open mind ready for anything, game for everything which is how we both showed up every day. We were just both excited and ready for action.

QUESTION: I know you spoke earlier about some upcoming projects for both of you. I know Debbie you have an overseas tour coming up and Tiffany...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

QUESTION: ...did I see a - I see a Delaware show coming up actually. That's our hometown.

TIFFANY: Yes. I'm coming to your neck of the woods. I'm excited about it. I'm really excited about it. Actually this year I'll be doing a lot more touring with my band.

So I've always loved the track shows. And, I always listen to the fans. And I went onto this whole dance journey for the last probably ten years and I enjoyed every bit of it.

But I feel I shine more with a full band and doing the new music which again is something that I've been on a journey to do for about 15 years now.

So this is really my coming-out party of where I feel I belong and this year just kind of go out and make it all happen.

So they'll be a lot of tours for me (or a date) added to the tour this year. And it's all going to be live country music. Country I've got it my own way country blues still with that rock type...

DEBORAH GIBSON: It's so great if I can rave about Tif's song. It's a song she did for the movie. As I went on - I bought it on iTunes and left a comment. It really is like I was oh this is Tiffany in her element doing what she was born to do. That's the feeling it is.

And it's true, you kind of go full circle. You dabble in different genres. We all make some music to kind of okay well they gay fans are out there and they want the dance hits and so we'll do that or whatever it is.

And you kind of adapt but there is this core if you're a writer and you're a singer there's usually some style that really resonates at the core of who you are.

And from what I could hear of Tiffany's new music she's at that place which that's just always the best feeling in the world.

TIFFANY: Oh thank you.

I think that's probably one thing with us is that musically we haven't been able to collaborate because Deborah's got the new - well you've got Snake Charmer out. And that's great...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes.

TIFFANY: ...that's fun. It's up-tempo, it's dance. And like I said with my favorite album of hers has always been the Broadway.

And any time she plays piano I'm like okay wish I could do that. So, I think it's at this point in our lives we're really living out the people that we look up to, hers being Billy Joel. She plays beautifully and she can sit down and play this beautiful ballad and sing.

And mine is like having the full band and being out on the road and dressing like a gypsy like Stevie Nicks.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes your...

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: So I think it's great that we've both arrived and that we're really able to do the things that make us who we are as artists.

QUESTION: Both of you have mentioned things about liking Syfy. I know Debbie you mentioned watching Land of the Lost and Tiffany you've been saying I love Syfy.

So I'm really curious as to what kinds of science fiction or fantasy books or programs you guys enjoy?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well to be honest I'll jump in first because my answer is probably shorter than Tiffany's. Other than like Land of the Lost or whatever, I've not been as familiar with the genre.

When I got called to do Mega Shark I even said, I'm not that overly familiar with Syfy but let me read the script.

And then I just fell in love with how over the top it was and how imaginative it was. So for me it's like this has been probably my biggest introduction to Syfy. And now I'm a fan.

I feel like this kind of opened up a whole new world for me. So yes I didn't really grow up - I grew up in a house full of girls and musical theater.

TIFFANY: I've always been a tomboy and I've always loved like I mean, start out Star Wars -- big fan. So, I've always loved things with creatures and monsters.

And then if they can be on a planet somewhere battling it out that's even better, like vampires and fate kind of thing. It's awesome.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Oh God.

TIFFANY: So, I'm a big fan of right now we were just having this conversation earlier and I love Being Human. That's this new Syfy show.

And I watched the British version of that. But now to have it here in America and I was talking about the change that they made with the ghost character how she didn't die tragically because in the British version she dies tragically. Her fiance kills her.

And this version here she just falls down a flight of stairs and dies. And I said I have to tell you guys though that is a little like close to home because I trip down my stairs all the time. So that's one thing that freaked me out a little bit but I do like it wasn't so tragic.

And I was a huge Gattaca fan. And then that's not there anymore so we won't talk about that bitter pill to swallow.

But I've been promised other things to come from Syfy so I'm really excited. I love my ultimate favorite as far as like scary monsters or whatever are vampires. I know their ghoulish and kind of, not what we all aspire to be but there's a sex appeal to them as well.

QUESTION: This is kind of like a trivia question because I was looking on IMDb and reading about the movie. And I was looking at the full cast and crew credits. And I noticed Mickey Dolenz's name in there.

TIFFANY: Yes.

QUESTION: Now is Mickey Dolenz really there? And is he going to be hard for us to spot? Is it going to be a where's Waldo for us?

TIFFANY: No. There's a whole event that revolves around him being the star. He's like the star of the show. So no it's not like a hidden cameo. He's right there.

And they were looking for somebody to kind of be that person and brainstorming tons of names. And when that name came up we were all like yes.

He's a great guy. And he's another guy like, talk about being relevant, he's always out there doing his thing.

You see him in person you're like oh my God it's Mickey Dolenz. It's - he's incredibly cool.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes, yes.

...

TIFFANY: Well and I was a huge monkeys fan. So to be standing next to him - I've met him before but it never goes away that thrill of...

DEBORAH GIBSON: It doesn't.

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: Yes, one of my very first shows actually opened for him at I think it was in Naples, Florida at the - I think at the zoo funny enough.

We have an animal connection. But yes I opened for the Monkeys and we still talk about that to this day. It's so funny. So I credit him.

QUESTION: Yes it's a cool feeling?

TIFFANY: So yes, yes it was great. And he is, he was wonderful to work with. And when his name came up it was like, a no brainer. I mean people still recognize him and he's still very active and he's such a nice guy that it just was, a complete package.

QUESTION: Would you guys be open to being in a science fiction series?

TIFFANY: Interesting...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well I would.

TIFFANY: I would too. See like that's the type - kind of thing that comes up that you just don't expect. Oh that's a cool idea.

QUESTION: Is Syfy listening on the channel right now because yes, hello.

DEBORAH GIBSON: That sounds like a lot of fun actually.

TIFFANY: We'll do that part of the year and then do our music and tour the other part.

QUESTION: Well how about his science fiction musical, why not?

((Crosstalk))

DEBORAH GIBSON: That could be scary.

TIFFANY: That could be fun.

DEBORAH GIBSON: That's interesting.

Ann Morris: They did it on Buffy.

...

QUESTION: They did it on Buffy.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Mega Shark, I kept turning it into Mega Shark The Musical.

Here comes the marine.

QUESTION: I was wondering if when you guys signed up for the project if you ever push for having any songs in this movie or making it, you know, a mini musical?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Well I don't think it would've been appropriate if our characters busted out into song. But, it's the idea of us doing music for it was always floating around or doing something together, possibly musically as Tiffany mentioned earlier. We're so different musically that that became a little more complicated.

But as you might know, may or may not know we did end up, me in the 11th hour I literally wrote and produced a song about a week and a half ago. We ended up both contributing songs to the movie.

QUESTION: I also wanted to ask you guys what were respectively for each of you the most memorable part of filming this movie?

I mean I know you mentioned the whip cream and banana pie underneath the table moment. Anything else?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Tif.

TIFFANY: That was probably most memorable for me. As an actress probably my breakdown crying scene. I wanted to kind of get that right and I wanted to use real tears. I wanted to really go there.

So, I mean yes it's Syfy and that wasn't really something that was maybe required at that time.

But I came wanting to learn. I mean acting is something I want to do more of. And so I know people aren't looking at this maybe going, I can see a vision for her.

But for me I wanted to know that I could do. So there was a part there where my fiance dies. And I took a minute and I said just let me go there for a second because I don't want people to throw something in my eyes and make me cry.

I feel I can bring it out. And I was very proud of myself that I could. And that it...

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes she went there.

TIFFANY: ...you know, that it happened naturally.

?

DEBORAH GIBSON: Really - she really went there. I mean for me too like the - seriously - and there might be Syfy - I don't know how many people are on this call. But I kept joking that there were a bunch of men sitting around at Syfy saying we want Tiffany and Debbie Gibson to rub whip cream on each other's breasts. How can we make that happen?

Well we'll create a movie around it. No but anyway it's...

Man: I deny that...

DEBORAH GIBSON: What?

Man: That's not true but...

DEBORAH GIBSON: And Tiffany has fabulous breasts so it was perfect. But really that seriously was probably the funniest most memorable day.

I mean we were just - we were standing around all day in this gross crusty whip cream and banana cream pies and stuff. And again it just really kind of harkened back to like the Dynasty days. And, it really - that really was a blast.

So that stands out.

And yes I mean I think Tiffany had the more emotionally challenging role. And again people might not be thinking oh we're tuning in to see real emotion in this movie.

But there actually is real emotion. And there is real acting happening. And I know, Tiffany really went there. She had a really hard job with that.

So I really enjoyed watching her work. I mean because there is actual real acting happening. And anybody who tunes in and gets that will probably offer her another movie from it.

So there is this really great combo in the film again of the effects and the camp and the (kitch). But there actually are real characters feeling real emotions too which is great which takes it to the next level.

QUESTION: You talked a little bit about working with the CG creatures and everything.

Do you guys recall any like funny mishaps on the set during those moments where you really had to tap into the imagination?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I mean it was all funny like, you know, again it was all funny and not. But we had to find a way to not make it not silly.

Because you're running for your life through the swamp from this fake creature.

And I know a friend of mine happened to get cast in the movie who's from an acting class and so we kind of speak the same lingo.

And we were just very much placing this creature in the same place and making sure that we were kind of seeing something real and there was real fear involved.

And, it's wild. And at some points people got eaten by the fake creatures or whatever and you had to react to that. And you had to go to some place in your life where someone you love is dying.

It's like you can't at that moment think of it oh it's this fake CGI alligator.

You just have to go there.

TIFFANY: Also, to be on set too with A Martinez and Kathryn Joosten. And when Kathryn's being lifted out of the SUV and the creatures getting - and we're holding on for dear life, it's like seeing that imagining all of that happening and not making it cheesy, but making it real.

And also I don't know how Debbie felt but I was a big A Martinez fan, like I had a major crush on him.

So when he walks up I was like...

((Crosstalk))

DEBORAH GIBSON: I was like oh my gosh I can't talk. So there's that whole other level. And then Kathryn, what else can I say about Kathryn? She's amazing. She has this very dry sense of humor, very cool.

But I mean she's really doing it. So it was all of those things together. And then these creatures that you have to imagine I think for me the hardest thing was the death scene because again, this is your big going out in the movie. And there's these gators like biting at you and you're holding on for dear life. And that was kind of the challenge for me.

All the other stuff was really just so much fun, oh gator, you know. It was kind of goofy and fun. But you couldn't show that. But inside I was like yes.

But it was when you really had to be serious about it and imagine it for real and be scared about it for real and to have that terror in your voice, it took a little thought. It really did.

I think that we pulled it off. I really am very proud. I've seen the trailers and I'm like oh yes okay, we look good.

TIFFANY: Yes like...

((Crosstalk))

TIFFANY: ...wow it's just like a real movie and everything.

DEBORAH GIBSON: I contribute that to Mary as well.

QUESTION: What was probably your most favorite part or scene of working on this movie?

TIFFANY: For me it was - sorry. It was for - you would think it would be the pie and cake scene which was like fun.

But for me it was the first scene when I was - we did the catfight when we did the slap and we had like, you know, this dialogue and stuff. Because that was my first time really working with Debbie and that was my first day on set.

So I kind of came in with all these people and then we had to like smacked it down right away and do this fake slap and tell each other off.

So, you know, the momentum leading up to that and on the - and just how I think we accomplished it was so much fun for me. You know, I got more comfortable along the way as the days progressed. But so that was my favorite.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes I mean and mine was again like that scene into the whole big food fight scene. I mean I just that for me that food fight scene just goes down in history.

Again it's just - it's like, you know, Three Stooges pies in the face but and, you know, again I just - I think probably like my most memorable moment like if I had like a little snapshot of a moment -- and I might've said this earlier -- I'm not sure but, you know, Tiffany and I were like - we were ducked under a table. The stunt doubles were doing part of the scene. We were popping up doing part of the scene.

I just remember looking at each other shaking our heads like how did we end up here? This is the weirdest, coolest, craziest thing.

You know, it was just like two girls, yes, again like, you know, meeting up with someone you haven't seen since high school. I mean we've seen each other but someone you go - you have history with. And we were just in this absurd situation. And, you know, that just made me giggle. It stands out for me.

QUESTION: A lot of actors and actresses they don't like to watch themselves on screen. How do you feel about that? Do you guys watch your movies after you've made them or do you stay away from them?

DEBORAH GIBSON: I normally hate it. I really do. I mean I really I don't like - especially in film because it's a newer thing for me.

I can watch myself back on like Broadway footage or a video but film I get a little uncomfortable. And I have to say in the looping session for this film I was maybe for the first time ever like really I looked at it and I went wow, I'm pleased with the way this came out. I'm happy with my work in this. And that's a really cool feeling.

TIFFANY: Yes I mean because it's Syfy and for me, I mean not to discredit Ms. Deborah but, you know, the python and the gators are the stars. So I couldn't wait to check it out and see what they've done with these creatures.

So I don't mind watching something like this, same thing with Mega Piranha. But on this one, you know, I think having both of us and there's just more going on. So I'm really excited about it.

And also I have to say (Terry Groves), my makeup artist, when you're in good hair and makeup, you don't mind watching yourself. And she really - she hooked us up. I mean it was awesome. I'm like oh yes.

With Mega Piranha, you know, my character really wasn't - she wasn't that kind of girl. So it was kind of nice even though I played a Park Ranger, the party scene I hold near and dear because I got to clean up well. So I'm very grateful for that.

DEBORAH GIBSON: Yes we got to be a little - it was like sexy Syfy. And we did get to be glamorous. You know, (Troy) our DP hooked us up. Mary hooked us up. Like we - they made us look as good as can be. And it's pretty glamorous for a Syfy movie.

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