Debbie Harry on Image Expectations in Music: ‘I Wanted to Work’

Debbie Harry is reflecting on the pressures of image in the music industry, revealing in a new interview that undergoing cosmetic surgery “felt necessary” to maintain her career as Blondie’s frontwoman.

The singer, who celebrated her 80th birthday on July 1, opened up about her decision to have cosmetic procedures in a new interview with Vanity Fair, acknowledging the pressures of being a woman in the music industry.

“It’s always been a tool for me,” Harry shared. “It’s not like I started having cosmetic surgery as a kid in school — I think nowadays a lot of girls are getting cosmetic surgery when they’re 10, 11 years old. God bless if it improves their lives and they feel happy. But as far as me having cosmetic surgery, it made me feel better about myself. Maybe it made me feel happy, or more confident.”

She added, “It was just something that I felt necessary at the time. 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.”

The “Heart of Glass” singer also reflected earlier this year on aging gracefully. “The beauty of aging is that you learn how to live with yourself,” she said at the time.

Blondie fans have more to celebrate than Harry’s milestone birthday. The band is reportedly working on a new studio album with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton.

The news was shared back in December 2024 by guitarist and co-founder Chris Stein, who posted a black-and-white photo of lead singer Debbie Harry and Congleton in the studio on Bluesky, accompanied by the caption, “With John Congleton. New Blondie record next year.”

It marks the band’s first album since 2017’s Pollinator, also produced by Congleton. That record earned critical acclaim and featured collaborations with artists like Joan Jett, Charli XCX, and Johnny Marr. Known for his work with St. Vincent and Angel Olsen, Congleton’s involvement hints at a modern, innovative approach for Blondie’s upcoming release.

The album comes in the wake of drummer Clem Burke’s death in April following a private battle with cancer. Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has been contributing to Blondie’s new music and performing with the band in recent years, including at Glastonbury 2023.