Thirty-six years ago, Debbie Gibson held the pop throne for American teens, making waves that rivaled the contemporary splash of Taylor Swift, albeit in completely different vibes. At just 17, she was the cool yet beloved singer crooning bubbly tunes about teenage love. Fast forward to 53, and Gibson, far from her teen years, looks back, labeling her younger self as an oddly sensible “adult as a kid”.

In 2010, however, Gibson took a comparative stance. She spilled the tea about her music career, drawing parallels between her journey and the paths tread by Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne.

A time capsule of comparison with Taylor Swift

In the days of yore, the former teen pop sensation Debbie Gibson drew parallels between herself and the likes of Swift and Avril Lavigne. Back in 2010, she candidly shared her thoughts on the industry’s attempts to fit artists into a mold. More so, she reminisced about the times when they were trying to “vamp” her in a “little black dress and heels”. But Gibson, with her hits like ‘Only In My Dreams’ and ‘Shake Your Love,’ refused to conform and chose authenticity over the easy sell.

As per ONTD, she reflected on the unique styles of Avril Lavigne and the ‘Lover’ singer, appreciating their refusal to succumb to the industry’s pressure. According to Gibson, these fellow artists, much like her, opted for comfort over conformity. Just like her, they still rock high tops with gowns at award shows. In her own rebellious spirit, Gibson dismissed the notion of conforming to the pop diva image. Additionally, emphasizing the importance of waiting until one comes into their own as a woman. These musical mavericks chose authenticity, paving the way for a different perception.

Back in the heyday of her own musical journey, Gibson drew intriguing comparisons between herself and Swift. Fast forward to the present, and Swift is now finding herself in a league where comparisons with none other than Beyoncé are being effortlessly drawn.

More friendship than comparisons with Beyoncé

In the TIME Person of the Year cover story, the ‘Midnights’ singer spilled the tea about her enduring friendship with Beyoncé. More so, she lauded her as a gem of a person. Moreover, she labeled her as warm, open, and hilarious, and an epic disrupter of music-industry norms. Swift gave a nod to Beyoncé’s trailblazing influence, urging artists to flip the table and challenge outdated business practices.

Yet, Swift was not singing a happy tune when it came to the persistent comparisons between their blockbuster stadium tours. Despite both tours receiving a standing ovation in success, Swift threw shade at the media and stan culture for incessantly pitting two women against each other. She lamented the profit-driven nature of such comparisons. Furthermore, this dims the spotlight on the genuine camaraderie and support shared by her and Queen Bey.

Do you find Gibson’s comparisons relatable? Share your thoughts in the comments below.