Here they are! It's what everyone's been waiting for -- the answers to Deborah's 20 Questions!!! Deborah seemed to enjoy participating in this feature... and chose to answer WAY more than the 20 questions we asked of her!!!!
Everyone's email was forwarded exactly as we received it, which means Deborah read everyone's notes and comments in addition to your questions, and she had this to say:
I would like to thank them --"the fans" -- for being so dedicated all these years....I really appreciate that along with the wonderful compliments and interest they expressed! Hopefully, sometime in the near future, they (the producers) will decide the world definitely needs another show like "Solid Gold" and have some of the original dancers take part in making that happen!
We would like to thank all the fans that submitted questions to make this feature possible, and a special "thank you" to Deborah for taking the time out of her busy schedule to participate. And now, without further adieu, here are Deborah's answers to your questions... Enjoy!
(NOTE: If a question was asked by more than one person, Deborah answered it only one time. Deborah's answers have not been edited and appear in their entirety.)
Q - My friend and I NEVER missed a Solid Gold show -- She was probably your #1 fan and I was a fan of Paula Beyers. I was wondering if you were really friends, if you still see her and what she's up to? Thanks a lot.
A - Yes, PAULA BEYERS and I are good friends and I do see her from time to time. She is still beautiful and in great shape! She's into sculpting, and she travels a lot.
Q - If Solid Gold returned to television and you were offered the job of being the show's choreographer, would you accept?
A - Hi Dennis E. Jones Jr....If Solid Gold returned and I were offered the job of Choreographer, I probably would except part of that offer....but better yet, I would be more interested in being a "Host" for segments of the show.
Q - Did they ever have a T-shirt from the show that was ever sold to the public?
A - We did at one time have a "Solid Gold" T-shirt and I think they were sold to the public, but I'm not 100% sure about that. They were black with the logo "SolidGold" printed in gold on the front. We also had our own Solid Gold jackets which had our names written on the front with the logo on the back.
Q - My question is I have read that you cut some singles in Italy and I wonder what the names of them are and can you buy them in the U.S.? Also which dancer did you feel closest to?
A - Hi Drek from Pa. .....Thanks for the great letter! (You sure did boost my ego)!!! I did cut 2 singles in Italy. One was called "You've got to will your mind" and the other "Free it up" ...unfortunately, they were never released here in the U.S.... SORRY! As far as the closest dancer... to me...that would be and still is Pam. We have been the best of friends for many years now - even before Solid Gold! Love and Peace be with you too!!!
Q - What's your best memory of working on SG? What's your worst memory of working on SG?
A - My best memory of working on "Solid Gold"...... That's a hard one. - there were so many! Working in the Bahamas was surly one of them. Getting a plaque with "TO DEBORAH, THE FOXIEST SOLID GOLD DANCER" Engraved on it from 150 U.S. MARINES (who were all in the audience) was one of them! Kevin Carlisle (our choreographer) gave me a surprise birthday party the first year! ... And of course meeting my favorite Artists.... The best for me was "ANNE WILSON" (The singer from "HEART") She has been a great inspiration to me for a long time! Worst memories? Having to dance with a partner who wasn't in a very good mood......Having a bad hair day!!.......My feet killing me from those "high heels"......
Q - What was the hardest thing you ever had to do on SG?
A - The hardest thing I ever had to do on S.G. was dance with a fractured toe! Just thinking about it makes me cringe! We had to be seen on screen in order to get paid so a couple of times I would just be leaning against something - or sitting down, because I couldn't put any weight on it at that point!
Q - Was there "friendly" competition among the dancers for getting the best routines, solos, more airtime, etc?
A - Actually, there wasn't much competition "friendly or otherwise" between the dancers for getting the best routines, solos, more air time etc. .... the "best" routines weren't the best for everyone....There was a lot of typecasting for the countdowns, so that usually worked out good. Kevin was really great with that.... and he gave us the chance to "elaborate on the theme" which made us all very creative in the end.
Q - How did you and the other dancers feel about Darcel being the principal dancer when she clearly wasn't the best dancer?
A - How did we feel about Darcel being the principal dancer when she clearly wasn't the best dancer? Well, even though we all knew that Darcel was "principal dancer" because of her contract, It was hard to swallow at first...just because of all the solos and great costumes! ....Darcel wasn't a "trained dancer" as most of us were...so she looked much better by herself....than with a group. I didn't realize there were so many people who paid that close attention - I'm impressed! For those who wouldn't know the difference, watching her body bump and grind was a very exciting event!!!
Q - How much rehearsal time did you get before the shows?
A - Our working schedule was like this: 7 days to rehearse (two shows) 3 days to tape them and then most of the time 4 days off followed.
Q - Why did you leave SG?
A - When Brad the producer of Solid Gold called to ask me back for another season, it was in August, 84 (the new season beginning in Sept). The show was on its summer break and I had just returned from the greatest vacation of my life (in Europe - mostly Italy). Before that I was a workaholic ...besides working on Solid Gold, I did all 40 shows for "Solid Gold Hits" plus any other project I could squeeze in-in the time left! After that vacation, I realized that I was completely satisfied with my career as a dancer.... what more was I going to do besides more of the same? I felt very good about it...and I really wanted to enjoy my life a little more - I wanted to travel and be free to do what ever I wanted to do, as I have been. Also at that time Solid Gold was going through a lot of changes, and I felt personally, that too many changes would bring down the show (as we see that it did). Anyway it was perfect timing for me.... After that I only danced for special projects that friends and choreographers called me for. (4 yrs. later, I went to Europe again and ended up staying for 4 yrs.!)
Q - Are you working on any projects now? Will we be able to see you on TV or the movies again soon?
A - At the moment I'm not involved in any projects, but when the time is right, I may get back into the acting (which is one part of my career I never devoted enough time too). Don't worry, I will keep the website informed!
Q - Did you ever feel uncomfortable wearing the skimpy outfits on Solid Gold?
A - YES!!!! Sometimes I felt very uncomfortable wearing some of the costumes...especially when I'd see the camera behind me! Even though, I must say that most of the costumes fit like gloves...and were very comfortable to dance in. Once in a while we got something that might have fit too short so that we felt we couldn't bend over too far in either direction! If anything was too uncomfortable, Rickie, the costume designer always fixed it, or changed it...she was wonderful and incredibly creative.
Q - What brand and style of pantyhose did you wear on Solid Gold? I loved that they looked so shiny on TV. Is it true you wore more than one pair of hose at the same time? If yes, what was the reason you did this?
A - I don't remember what kind of panty hose we wore! But I do know it was support hose and the only time we had to wear two pairs was when we wore net hose with rhinestones (so that we couldn't feel the stones).
Q - Do you have a recent picture of yourself that you can send to the SGDC website?
A - For Will in Miami, At the moment I don't have a recent photo, but as soon as I can get some good ones made up, I will send one into the SGDC.
Q - You seemed like you were always very happy except when...well, it seemed like you had a thing for "Tony" is that true??? and he couldn't be true or something. In the last season you really seemed sad I felt something was wrong.
A - Dear Kevin from Clearendon Hills, IL, Thank you so much for your wonderful letter! Tony and I were just close friends at the start of the show and we remained friends (just not as close) until he left the show! A lot of people thought we "were together" because we always danced together...I guess the choreographers thought we looked good together (maybe it was the dark hair)... I know I had a habit of not smiling so much on the show.... I was probably working too hard the last season and I didn't cover it up very well! Even though I'm serious looking, I'm hardly ever sad...at least not for any length of time! I've always loved life and appreciated everything I've ever had.... including wonderful fans like you! ...Yea, being a mom is very "COOL"!
Q - What happened at the end of the season before the Rick Dees year? It seemed that the show totally changed at that point.
A - I don't remember now all of the changes that were taking place at the end of the season before Rick Dees year, but there were many...and that was my last season also. For sure, they wanted to change the format, the set, and even some of the dancers!
Q - Did Kahea marry executive producer Kevin Bright?
A - Kahea did not marry executive producer Kevin Bright.
Q - Why was the workout video so tame? I had expected that it would be a lot sexier since it was sold apart from the show. Did they discuss making it different than it turned out to be?
A - I think they tried to make to workout video as "professional" as possible...on a fitness level and not one of those workouts that was clearly to catch sneak-peeks of body parts!
Q - How much did the Solid Gold Dancers get paid? (You don't have to say the exact dollar amount, but was it enough to become wealthy?)
A - We got paid enough to live comfortably, depending on your life style. I wouldn't say "rich," but comfortable.
Q - Did any of the musicians who performed on the show ever try to hit on you?
A - Yes, I have to say that a few of the musicians who performed on the show were very flirtatious!
Q - Did you have any regrets about leaving the show?
A - As I explained earlier, I have no regrets about leaving the show...I guess the time was right.
Q - Did you have to exercise frequently to attain such a perfect body? If so, how often?
A - Funny thing about exercise...I never had to do it until after I left the show! First there was no time...and with all the rehearsals and dancing and everything else we had to do...our bodies burned up more than you can imagine! But I found that even though I wasn't dancing constantly anymore, I couldn't stay away from the fitness part of it...It will always be a part of my life...and it's actually a great mental release for me as well. Even though I just had a baby, I've started my routine of running 3-4 miles at least 4 times a week. It's the only form of exercise along with lightweight training that works for me.
Q - Did you enjoy being a Hollywood sex symbol in the 80's, or would you rather not have been so popular?
A - I never thought I was a sex symbol...but I did get a lot of attention and I loved it!
Q - What was the wildest Hollywood party you ever attended?
A - There were a lot of Hollywood Parties to go to during that period. Some were a little too "stuffy" for me and others were a lot of fun, but nothing sticks out as being the best.
Q - When you were a Solid Gold Dancer were you single, married, or with a significant other?
A - When I was on Solid Gold, for the most part I was single...otherwise with a significant other.
Q - Do you keep in contact with any of the other dancers?
A - Yes, I try to keep in contact with the other dancers. Some more frequently than others.
Q - As a singer, did you also incorporate dancing into your on-stage performances?
A - As a singer, I did also incorporate dancing into my stage performances...but nothing was set or choreographed...I just did what I felt at the time, and a lot of that had to do with the type of audience I had.
Hi Berry from Greenville, NC, I've already answered some of your questions earlier.... so I'll get to the ones I haven't!
Q - Being that SOLID GOLD was a variety show, I'm sure you had many chances to meet the guest stars that appeared on the program. Who was your favorite star that you got to meet?
A - My four favorite stars that I met on the show were: Vincent Price, Ann Wilson (from Heart), Michael McDonald, and Lionel Richie. I'm sure at the time there were many more.
Q - How much input did the dancers have creatively? Were you able to make suggestions as far as choreography was concerned?
A - The dancers had a lot of input creatively...It was impossible for the choreographer to be everywhere with all of us at once...especially after the countdowns were cast. So while he or she was busy choreographing one thing, the rest of us got to create and choreograph too. Some of the time they would give us the "theme to work on" and we would develop it from there. For the big numbers, we were all given the chance to take a certain section of the song and add our own choreography.... put the sections together, repeat where the sections repeat and you've got your song done! That's the way Kevin did it most of the time. As for Anita (who came after Kevin), She liked to incorporate her style into a lot more of the routines, including the countdowns. With Kevin, all of our personalities came out through our dancing, which was a nice unexpected touch. The staging and camera angles and making everything flow together nicely is what the choreographers were always there for...and that made everything work out.
Q -When the dancers danced with a performing artist, did you actually practice with them or did you rehearse to their record and then "wing it" when the performer arrived for the show?
A - We would learn the routines in rehearsal to the tapes of exactly each song we had to dance to. Then during the three days of taping, the artist would come in to tape the show and that's when we would actually work with them. We would have as many rehearsals necessary with the artist on stage before we taped it for real.
Q -Finally, did you ever get bored dancing the same routine--namely, the choreography for the closing credits to the show?
A - I never got bored dancing...especially to the closing credits, because it's the one routine we at least were sure of!
Hi Cheryl from Detroit, MI, as before, I will answer only the questions I haven't already answered.
Q - Did all of the dance costumes come in one size?
A - The dance costumes came in different sizes according to our specific size.
Q - Will there ever be a reunion show?
A - I think it would be a great idea to have a reunion show - and I can't believe that the old producers or any for that matter haven't proposed something already!! Maybe they have and we just don't know it yet!!!
Q - Do you still hang out with any of the dancers?
A - Yes, I still hang out with a few of the dancers.
Q - What was asked of you during the Solid Gold audition?
A - What was asked of us during a S.G. audition was that we memorize the routines quickly and dance our butts off with as much attitude as possible!
Q - Any advice for someone like me who is interested in going on auditions and making a career out of dancing?
A - Advice: If you really love it (and I mean REALLY love it).... then go full steam ahead...with confidence. Give yourself a lot of challenges...it will make you stronger. In order to be a professional dancer, you have to know that you can be. So put yourself in with the ones who are already pros. Take the classes they take - see if you fit in - if you can hold up. With auditioning, along comes rejection.... that's where the confidence comes in....don't let them bring you down. (a lot of it is typecasting). If your a good dancer, with style.... you will work. ...and it might take a while, or it may not.... but just hang in there!!! Good luck to you Cheryl !
Paul Von Schkichten, please refer to the previous questions for your answer...Thanks for writing.
Q - Do people still recognize you today as one of the SG dancers?
A - Hi Sheldon from Stockton, CA., I honestly don't think anyone would recognize me today as one of the SG dancers!
Q - Which was better, being a SG dancer or a SG hits dancer?
A - Which was better as a dancer: Solid Gold or Solid Gold Hits??? GOOD QUESTION! I did SG HITS in 84' and at that time SG was going through a lot of changes... I was getting bored with the "type" of choreography and I really had the urge to bust out and DANCE! Solid Gold Hits gave me that release. It was just a pleasant change. Then when I went back to the regular SG. It wasn't so bad. As far as shows go...there's nothing that can compare to Solid Gold. But! as far as the dancing, at that point in time, the dancing on SG Hits had a lot of technical exciting energy!
