deborah ann gibson (born august 31, 1970 in brooklyn, new york) is an american singer-songwriter and actress. she was very popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s and had many hit songs. in 1988 she became the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a #1 single on the billboard hot 100, with her song "foolish beat". she remains the youngest female to write, record, and perform a #1 single.