Former teen superstar Tiffany talks big spending, I’m A Celebrity! woes and posing for Playboy

HI TIFFANY! Why do you love ‘80s fashion?

Back then you could be one of a kind – as wild or as plain Jane as you wanted. I was pretty plain Jane, except for my crazy hair and hoop earrings.

What from that era would you love to make fashionable again?

Crimped hair, done appropriately!

Your biggest hit I Think We’re Alone Now made you a No.1 pop phenomenon in 1987. Do you still get recognised?

Not daily, but weirdly when I’m going to the gym with my hair in a ponytail, people are like: “Tiffany!” I’ve been famous since I was 15, but I don’t feel it.

What did you first buy after getting famous?

I bought a convertible Porsche, and I don’t drive stick [manual] so my bodyguard drove me around. I also bought a Heritage Classic Harley-Davidson, and it was too big so I only rode on the back.

After that initial hit you struggled to get chart success. Did that feel tough?

I’ve always had to prove that I have real talent and I’m not a one-hit wonder. It’s taken me a long time. All the things that have been your success, sometimes they stop you because people go: “You’re the mall girl.” [Tiffany toured US shopping malls during the promo for I Think We’re Alone Now.]

But you wouldn’t know me if I didn’t have that success, so I don’t look at it that way. I just keep plugging along doing what I love.

What made you decide to pose nude for Playboy in 2002?

Just to change people’s perception of me. It worked for me because the phone started ringing and I was able to turn that into musical opportunities.

You were recently in the Australian I’m A Celebrity! What was the hardest part?

The down time. Sitting around, waiting for them to call your name to do something horrible… it was like The Hunger Games! It really plays on you emotionally and mentally. I was there for 19 days, and that was enough.

Aged 16, you attempted to legally emancipate yourself from your mum, Janie Williams. How did that affect the way you brought up your son, Elijah?

I always try to be honest and in the moment with him. He’s 25 now, and I don’t regret staying in on Saturday nights when I could have been at a party. It would have been better for my career, but I’m doing that now!

Are you still with your British businessman husband, Ben George?

We’re separated. It’s hard because I’m on the road all the time. I know this is what I need to be doing and we both agree. It’s a mutual thing.

What’s next for you?

I’m touring until February 2019 and my new album is out at the end of June.

I’m not looking for No.1s – just to tour and for people to know I’m still doing music and doing it well.