When we think of Debbie Harry, our minds are instantly drawn to her raw vocals, signature smoky eye makeup, and platinum blonde locks. The Florida native is as famous for the chart-toppers Heart of Glass, Atomic, and Call Me as she is for her iconic style, which has always been a blend of fearless pieces and thrifted threads.
She’s been releasing music since the 1970s and is showing no signs of slowing down. The band is set to drop a new studio album this autumn, which will be their first since 2017’s Pollinator. Blondie’s co-founder and guitarist, Chris Stein, confirmed the news earlier this year as he shared images of Debbie in a studio on social media.
However, with the tragic loss of drummer Clem Burke this April, Debbie admitted to Vanity Fair things are a little up in the air for the group. She told the publication: “I ran into a wall: the [2024] tour ended, Clem died, and wow. What is this space I live in now?”
The star said surgery felt necessary at the time, adding: “I wanted to work, and so much of women being attractive, and being a selling point, is clearly showbiz. If you’re going to be in the business, be in it.”
In the past, Debbie has spoken openly about cosmetic procedures she’s undergone, such as Botox and a facelift, and she’s described fillers and tox as being akin to flu shots as they are part of her beauty regime.
When speaking to The Times last year about whether she regrets not having children, Debbie quipped: “No, I think I would have been a terrible parent,” she admits.
“Although who knows? I salute anyone who raises a family, but it doesn’t bother me for some reason. I guess there’s some missing element in my chromosomes.”
“I’m curing — I’m doing a cure. And part of that is decluttering my space, which is crowded with that life. I need to get some breath, get some air in there. And I want to feel that little spark of creativity, surprise – those things. There’s a little tingle of that, and I hope that will be there for me.”
Clem had been Blondie’s drummer since 1975, and his death following a private battle with cancer aged 70, caused an outpouring of grief amongst fans.
As well as addressing Clem’s death, Debbie has been candid about her appearance and decision not to have children ahead of approaching her 80th birthday.
“As far as me having cosmetic surgery, it made me feel better about myself,” she told Vanity Fair. “Maybe it made me feel happy, or more confident. “