Latest news with #ToniBasil
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
80s one-hit wonder looks unrecognizable on rare outing with duct-taped slippers... can you guess who it is?
Fans of one of the biggest one-hit wonders of the '80s were in for a surprise when the beloved singer behind the cheerleader anthem was spotted on a rare outing in LA on Wednesday. The Mickey hitmaker, now 81, looked nearly unrecognizable as she stepped out in a black-and-white geometric robe, worlds away from her iconic 1982 music video look. Keeping a low profile in oversized shades, the pop star still rocked her signature jet-black hair — a nod to her showbiz heyday, which included choreography work on American Graffiti, a lead dancer role in the 1964 beach party film Pajama Party, and a performance in the Elvis classic Viva Las Vegas. Despite her youthful glow and upbeat demeanor, fans couldn't help but notice her slippers — barely holding together and clearly duct-taped for support during the sunny stroll. Can you guess the 80s icon? From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Despite her youthful glow and upbeat demeanor, fans couldn't help but notice her slippers — barely holding together and clearly duct-taped for support during the sunny stroll If you said Toni Basil — you're absolutely right! More recently, Toni choreographed Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at the age of 75. She also made a brief, uncredited cameo, dancing alongside Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie) during a Pan Am flight scene in the film's opening credits. 'I knew Sharon,' Basil told The New York Times, referring to Sharon Tate. 'Whew. I also dated Jay Sebring' — Tate's celebrity hairdresser, played by Emile Hirsch in the movie. Both Tate and Sebring were tragically murdered by the Manson family in August 1969 at the home she shared with husband Roman Polanski. In addition to her choreography career, Basil also acted, with roles in counterculture classics like Easy Rider (1969) and Five Easy Pieces (1970), both of which helped define the era Tarantino's film draws from. Basil said she was floored by Tarantino's encyclopedic knowledge of her work — even recalling her offbeat duet with Davy Jones, Daddy's Song, in the Monkees' 1968 film Head. Her showbiz heyday included choreography work on American Graffiti, a lead dancer role in the 1964 beach party film Pajama Party, and a performance in the Elvis classic Viva Las Vegas His '60s dance expertise also left her stunned. When Basil mentioned that Bonanza star Michael Landon once danced 'the Freddie' on Hullabaloo, Tarantino instantly stood up and demonstrated the moves himself — rocking side to side and slapping his arms across his torso. 'Not a lot of people know that dance,' Basil said. 'I certainly don't know another director who can dance it. When Quentin did the Freddie, I thought to myself: 'Well, I'll never pull the wool over this guy's eyes."' Basil was born Antonia Christina Basilotta on September 22, 1943, in Philadelphia. With a vaudeville performer for a mother and an orchestra leader for a father, showbiz was in her blood. Of Italian descent, she was raised in Las Vegas after her father relocated the family there for work. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1961, where she served as head cheerleader — a role that would later help define her signature style. The iconic cheerleader outfit she wore in the Mickey video wasn't a costume — it was her actual high school uniform, repurposed decades later for one of the most unforgettable pop visuals of the 1980s.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
'80s singer known for hit song looks completely different in rare LA outing – but her signature bold style is the same
She turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf SO FINE! '80s singer known for hit song looks completely different in rare LA outing – but her signature bold style is the same '80S SINGER Toni Basil looked completely different during a rare LA outing - but her signature bold style was the same. Toni, 81, known for her chart-topping 1982 hit Mickey, made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles on Monday. 6 Toni Basil looked completely different during a rare LA outing - but her signature bold style was the same Credit: BackGrid 6 She turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf Credit: BackGrid Spotted chatting to a friend in the Californian city, she turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf. Toni completed the look with chic sunglasses, a statement red lip, and a pair of smiley-face fuzzy slippers - which appeared to be duct taped together. The musician threw her hands in the air and appeared to be in deep conversation with the pal. Born Antonia Christina Basilotta in 1943, Toni grew up in Las Vegas, where music and performance ran in the family. Her father was an orchestra leader and her mother a vaudeville performer. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1961, where she was a head cheerleader, a role that later inspired the iconic cheerleader outfit she wore in her Mickey video. Starting her career in the 1960s, Toni made a name for herself as a go-go dancer in beach party films. She even earned praise from none other than Quentin Tarantino, who dubbed her The Goddess of Go-Go. Toni appeared in well-known movies like Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces and worked as a choreographer for Elvis Presley's film Viva Las Vegas. In 1971, she helped form The Lockers, a groundbreaking street dance troupe that brought funk and street dance styles to the mainstream. Caprice Bourret and Oscar Peter skate to Toni Basil's 'Mickey' on Dancing on Ice Her single Mickey shot to worldwide success in 1982, topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts and achieving platinum sales. Toni didn't just sing the track - she also directed and choreographed its music video, famously dressed in a cheerleading uniform inspired by her high school days. The song remains a quintessential '80s anthem, ranked among VH1's top one-hit wonders of the decade. Beyond her singing career, Toni has been a highly sought-after choreographer, working with legendary performers such as David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner. Notably, she choreographed the iconic Once in a Lifetime video for Talking Heads and even lent her talents to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when she was 75. In recognition of her significant contributions to music and dance, Toni was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, highlighting her lasting impact on the entertainment world. 6 Toni completed the look with chic sunglasses and a statement red lip Credit: BackGrid 6 Her pair of smiley-face fuzzy slippers appeared to be duct taped together Credit: BackGrid 6 Toni is seen earlier this month Credit: The Mega Agency
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
'80s singer known for hit song looks completely different in rare LA outing – but her signature bold style is the same
'80S SINGER Toni Basil looked completely different during a rare LA outing - but her signature bold style was the same. Toni, 81, known for her chart-topping 1982 hit Mickey, made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles on Monday. 6 6 Spotted chatting to a friend in the Californian city, she turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf. Toni completed the look with chic sunglasses, a statement red lip, and a pair of smiley-face fuzzy slippers - which appeared to be duct taped together. The musician threw her hands in the air and appeared to be in deep conversation with the pal. Born Antonia Christina Basilotta in 1943, Toni grew up in Las Vegas, where music and performance ran in the family. Her father was an orchestra leader and her mother a vaudeville performer. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1961, where she was a head cheerleader, a role that later inspired the iconic cheerleader outfit she wore in her Mickey video. Starting her career in the 1960s, Toni made a name for herself as a go-go dancer in beach party films. She even earned praise from none other than Quentin Tarantino, who dubbed her The Goddess of Go-Go. Toni appeared in well-known movies like Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces and worked as a choreographer for Elvis Presley's film Viva Las Vegas. In 1971, she helped form The Lockers, a groundbreaking street dance troupe that brought funk and street dance styles to the mainstream. Her single Mickey shot to worldwide success in 1982, topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts and achieving platinum sales. Toni didn't just sing the track - she also directed and choreographed its music video, famously dressed in a cheerleading uniform inspired by her high school days. The song remains a quintessential '80s anthem, ranked among VH1's top one-hit wonders of the decade. Beyond her singing career, Toni has been a highly sought-after choreographer, working with legendary performers such as David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner. Notably, she choreographed the iconic Once in a Lifetime video for Talking Heads and even lent her talents to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when she was 75. In recognition of her significant contributions to music and dance, Toni was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, highlighting her lasting impact on the entertainment world. 6 6 6 6
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
'80s singer known for hit song looks completely different in rare LA outing – but her signature bold style is the same
'80S SINGER Toni Basil looked completely different during a rare LA outing - but her signature bold style was the same. Toni, 81, known for her chart-topping 1982 hit Mickey, made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles on Monday. 6 Toni Basil looked completely different during a rare LA outing - but her signature bold style was the same Credit: BackGrid 6 She turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf Credit: BackGrid Spotted chatting to a friend in the Californian city, she turned heads in a boldly patterned geometric-print robe and matching headscarf. Toni completed the look with chic sunglasses, a statement red lip, and a pair of smiley-face fuzzy slippers - which appeared to be duct taped together. The musician threw her hands in the air and appeared to be in deep conversation with the pal. Born Antonia Christina Basilotta in 1943, Toni grew up in Las Vegas, where music and performance ran in the family. Her father was an orchestra leader and her mother a vaudeville performer. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1961, where she was a head cheerleader, a role that later inspired the iconic cheerleader outfit she wore in her Mickey video. Starting her career in the 1960s, Toni made a name for herself as a go-go dancer in beach party films. She even earned praise from none other than Quentin Tarantino, who dubbed her The Goddess of Go-Go. Most read in Celebrity Toni appeared in well-known movies like Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces and worked as a choreographer for Elvis Presley's film Viva Las Vegas. In 1971, she helped form The Lockers, a groundbreaking street dance troupe that brought funk and street dance styles to the mainstream. Caprice Bourret and Oscar Peter skate to Toni Basil's 'Mickey' on Dancing on Ice Her single Mickey shot to worldwide success in 1982, topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts and achieving platinum sales. Toni didn't just sing the track - she also directed and choreographed its music video, famously dressed in a cheerleading uniform inspired by her high school days. The song remains a quintessential '80s anthem, ranked among VH1's top one-hit wonders of the decade. Beyond her singing career, Toni has been a highly sought-after choreographer, working with legendary performers such as David Bowie, Bette Midler, and Notably, she choreographed the iconic Once in a Lifetime video for Talking Heads and even lent her talents to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when she was 75. In recognition of her significant contributions to music and dance, Toni was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, highlighting her lasting impact on the entertainment world. 6 Toni completed the look with chic sunglasses and a statement red lip Credit: BackGrid 6 Her pair of smiley-face fuzzy slippers appeared to be duct taped together Credit: BackGrid 6 Toni is seen earlier this month Credit: The Mega Agency 6 She's known for her chart-topping 1982 hit Mickey Credit: Alamy
