As you all may or may not know, 80s pop icon
Debbie Gibson is a big fan of Mariah Carey. And she didn't take lightly to the unwarranted, negative and NOT festive commentary surrounding Mariah's latest performance of her best-selling #1 Christmas classic,
AllIWantForChristmasIsYou. So she took to Facebook to post a full-length letter defending Mariah and vouching what a kind, loving spirit she always has been!
You better stan, Deborah!I watched - with anticipation - as the show started and Mariah took the stage.
I have long been a fan of both the Vocal Diva and the Woman. This woman, as a young girl, wrote me a handwritten letter just as she was hitting the charts to explain a comment that got taken out of context in an interview she did. What came out as a diss was meant as, "If Debbie can be doing this and she is so young, why can't I…?!?" The fact she took the time to reach out so personally, in the midst of the beginnings of her chaotic world domination, has stuck with me forever.
I could tell instantly as Mariah took the stage that she was burdened by something. I had heard on one of the entertainment shows that she was late for the taping the night before due to an overtime call with her divorce lawyers or something...I am repeating tabloid fodder.
Now, I know the people out there making nasty remarks are not all singers but, it doesn't take a rocket scientist - or a Met Soprano - to understand that "divorce" and "singing on television" are not a great combo. I felt for her. And, I admired her. She could have been a "no show." She could have lip-synced. But, she chose to bare all that was going on in her life and to give what she had. She brought her reality to her timeless soulful perky Christmas anthem.
As people in this country and around the world sing carols this year, will they all be feeling truly happy and perky, and flowy, and free of burden? Will this year be the same as, let's say their best or favorite year? Do they all look like they did when they had no adult responsibilities? Or might they be smiling through the pain of a lost house or bankruptcy or divorce or a health issue or whatever, in order to put on a brave face so as not to burden others?!?I don't know what the haters saw. But, I saw a real woman on that stage. One who has given us her gifts and joy and talent, which is raw and God given, and that which only comes with countless hours of hard work and discipline.
She once lived in a bubble of practice and vocal rest and eating a certain way and excluding all "normal" life pleasures in order to bring us all that shiny glossy look and sound we now associate with her. But, much like olympic athletes, there comes a certain point where you can either keep running toward the gold medal, or you can strike a balance in your life. Maybe the high notes aren't as high onstage, but the high notes she has with her kids are higher offstage!The pop stars of our day had to pound the pavement, do countless shows (that do not live on on YouTube), kiss babies, shake radio program directors' hands, and sit through loud dinners with obnoxious business men…all to get our music heard. There were no TV Idols and only a few awards shows in which to make an impact. Nail one of those and you were on top. Blow it, and it wasn't like "Oh, there's another one next week." It is an intense pace to keep up. Many of the other performers on that stage - except for Tony Bennett and Cyndi Lauper - are still in their first chapter. Mariah has been enduring for a long long time. And will be for many years to come.
Mariah has nailed it SO many times. And she is clearly not performing 365 days a year right now as she did at some point. It is harder to pop in and out of your life and onto the stage when not is a "flow." The younger stars who have no "dependents" can be completely selfish and do all they need to do to serve their voices and careers. I don't say this with any disrespect to them. It is just where they are in their lives. We all were there. They should relish this time because, at some point, life is going to get more complicated. I know ALL about it. But this woman is daring to have a life that encompasses more than just show biz. And, I am sure when she committed to doing this performance she did not anticipate that she would be dealing with the circumstances she is dealing with. I don't know that I could have been standing upright, let alone looking fabulous and pouring her heart out in the freezing cold.
Anyone can work hard enough to do a perfectly glossy performance, with never a real moment of connection with the audience or themselves. Mariah was naked up there. We could all see her real life pain. Whether or not it was perfect vocals, (whatever that means), makes no difference. It was her…real…live...in the middle of life…and I would venture to say she did not withhold anything from us, right?!? She brought HER BEST. And, can we ever ask anything more of anyone than to give us THEIR BEST?!?
I hope Mariah can put in perspective the meaning of all this and focus on the higher meaning in her life. I also hope all the naysayers can do the same. I
n a world of "what have you done for me lately," I wanted to write this to celebrate ALL she has given of herself throughout the years, and never more so than she did in her latest performance.With respect,
DEBBIE
SOURCEFrom one vocal legend to another...what kind of star-studded stanning? It is sad yet predictable that Mariah Carey does not give the RESPECT that she deserves as a multi-platinum singer-songerwriter-producer-choreographer; yet Debbie, as another WOMAN in the business recognizes this injustice and gives credit where it is due!