What does Debbie Gibson have in common with Jodie Foster, David Letterman and Halle Berry? If you guessed a hugely successful career and lots of talent… guess again. The 37-year-old singer, who prefers to go by Deborah Gibson these days, is another celebrity with a stalker.
Yesterday, she filed for a restraining order against a Spanish man named Bassas Jorge Puigdollers. The 44-year-old with the seven-syllable name runs a Debbie Gibson fan club, and is apparently a bit too dedicated to his adulation of the singer/songerwriter of “Shake Your Love”. Puigdollers has allegedly followed Gibson backstage on numerous concert tours, and tried to get into her hotel room.
According to documents filed in LA Superior Court, Deborah Gibson asked that Puigdollers stay 100 yards away, make no attempt to contact her in any way, and even stop attending her concerts.
The Associated Press phoned the alleged stalker in Spain, where he works as a taxi driver. He said he meant no harm. "I wanted to use the fan club to help people who can't go see her to get autographs and photos," Puigdollers said. "I understand that she wants her privacy. I would like to say I'm sorry. I don't want problems and I don't want to bother her so much." Twice in a week, Puigdollers tried to connect with the 1980s teen pop idol. According to Debbie Gibson, he left a note under her door on Thursday requesting they meet in El Paso.
"If you like, contact me," he said, and signed it with his phone number in Barcelona and an e-mail that begins "debhead."
Then on Sunday he appeared at the front door of Gibson's Los Angeles home, which is when she called the police "for fear of my life," she said in the restraining order request.
Police granted Gibson temporary protective order until the court approves one for a longer term. Puigdollers can still attend Debbie Gibson concerts and said he plans to attend five Gibson concerts at a casino in Atlantic City in May.
Hopefully, this won’t end the same way it did with another singer whose fan club leader went too far and murdered his beloved musician. In other words, Debbie Gibson may be another celeb with a stalker, but let’s hope this doesn’t go into Selena territory.
