’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.
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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.
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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.
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