Movies

80s one-hit wonder looks unrecognizable on rare outing with duct-taped slippers… can you guess who it is?

BBG News

Enthusiasts of a renowned one-hit sensation from the 1980s experienced a shock when the well-loved vocalist associated with the iconic cheerleading song was noticed in a seldom public appearance in Los Angeles on a recent Wednesday.

In a striking contrast, the artist famed for hits like “Mickey,” now 81 years old, appeared almost unrelated to her past self when she recently ventured out in a black-and-white geometric robe. This is a stark difference from her iconic image in her 1982 music video.

Understated and stylishly hidden behind large sunglasses, the pop star maintained her iconic raven-black tresses as a silent tribute to her early days in show business. This era saw her contributing choreography for American Graffiti, starring as a lead dancer in the 1964 beach party movie Pajama Party, and delivering an unforgettable performance in the timeless Elvis Presley film Viva Las Vegas.

Even with her radiant youthfulness and cheerful attitude, spectators couldn’t ignore her worn-out slippers that were merely taped together with duct tape, seemingly keeping them from falling apart during their leisurely walk under the sun.

Can you guess the 80s icon?

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If you said Toni Basil — you’re absolutely right! 

Lately, at the age of 75, Toni took on the task of choreographing the dance sequences for Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Additionally, she appeared briefly without recognition during the opening credits, dancing together with Sharon Tate (portrayed by Margot Robbie), in a Pan Am flight sequence within the movie.

‘I knew Sharon,’ Basil told The New York Times, referring to Sharon Tate.

Ah, another fascinating tidbit! It turns out that Tate, as portrayed by Emile Hirsch in the film, was romantically involved with Jay Sebring, a renowned hairdresser.

In August 1969, both Tate and her husband Roman Polanski suffered a devastating fate when they were brutally killed at their shared home, this unfortunate event was orchestrated by the Manson family.

Besides her profession as a choreographer, Basil additionally delved into acting, appearing in films that shaped the cultural landscape of the period Quentin Tarantino’s movies are inspired by. These include Easy Rider (1969) and Five Easy Pieces (1970).

Basil was astonished when Tarantino showed a deep understanding of Basil’s work; he even remembered the unusual duet with Davy Jones, “Daddy’s Song,” from the Monkees’ movie “Head” in 1968.

His ’60s dance expertise also left her stunned.

When Basil brought up the fact that Michael Landon from Bonanza had performed ‘the Freddie’ on Hullabaloo, Tarantino promptly jumped up and enacted the steps – swaying from side to side and clapping his hands against his chest.

Basil mentioned, “Many people aren’t familiar with that particular dance. To be honest, I don’t know many directors who can pull it off. When Quentin danced the Freddie, I thought, ‘I won’t be able to deceive him.’

Basil was born Antonia Christina Basilotta on September 22, 1943, in Philadelphia.

Born into a family of entertainers – her mother was a vaudeville artist and her father led an orchestra – it’s no surprise that the world of show business ran through her veins. Being of Italian heritage, she grew up in Las Vegas following her father’s job move there for work.

In the year 1961, she completed her high school education at Las Vegas High School, during which time she held the position of head cheerleader – an experience that would eventually contribute to shaping her distinct style.

Back then, I proudly donned my high school cheerleader attire for the Mickey music video, but let me clarify that it wasn’t merely a costume. Decades earlier, this very same uniform was an essential part of my daily life at school. Fast forward to the 1980s, and I repurposed it for one of the most indelible pop visuals of the era, leaving an enduring impact on music video fashion.

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2025-05-29 01:04

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