Long before Gaga had her Little Monsters and Katy Perry purred about fireworks, there was Jem—the animated pop star that inspired young girls and gay boys across America to celebrate glamor, glitter, fashion and fame.
Now the truly outrageous cartoon queen of the 1980s is finally coming to DVD with Jem and the Holograms: The Truly Outrageous 
Complete Series, a mondo box set with featuring Kimber, Aja, Shana, Rio, the Misfits, Synergy and of course, Jem herself! The 11-Disc DVD set features all three Seasons with 65 original episodes and Totally Awesome extras.
To celebrate its release, we’re giving away five copies of Jem and The Holograms: Season One.
Entering is easy: Just tell us who is your favorite female singer of the 1980s in the comment field below. We’ll choose five winners from among the answers.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
The deadline to enter is Tuesday, October 11, at 8pm. Winners will be emailed and must reply with address information to receive their prize.
Jem and the Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series! and Jem and The Holograms: Season One DVDs will hit stores and sites on Tuesday, October 11. Visit Shout Factory for details.
Clint Riley
Samantha Foxx! Naughty Girls Need Love…Too!
Jason P
Madonna, of course 🙂
Jim G
Debbie Gibson!
Peter R
Pat Benatar, forever and always.
Javier
Paula Abdul, Forever Your Girl best cd EVER….still listen to it!
Mike
In the middle of backwoods nowhere, somewhere I got a hold of a classmate’s Jem cassette [see http://www.toycatacomb.com/imageviewer/catacomb/4/The_Holograms_Kimber_1st_Edition_Cassette_124.jpg%5D and listened to it on repeat without my family knowing (it was pink & I was a boy!) It’s was truly outrageous! Couldn’t get their songs out of my head! It was the only cassette I had for the longest time… aside from Celine’s Power of Love album!
Gobear
Tiffany!
Danielle Karcich
Gotta be Cyndi Lauper!
Scooby
Debbie Gibson was number one, with Tiffany a close second!
Zach R
Cristina!
Brent
Whitney Houston!! Although its all gone down-hill from there!
Nate-Minneapolis
Definitely The Go Go-‘s!! OMG…LOVED JEM! My lil sis and I used to watch every morning on the USA Cartoon Express!
Aubrey Haltom
I let my 5-year old son watch some cartoons on tv recently. When I walked back into the room, I found Jem on the screen.
He was enthralled. A few days later I find him watching Jem again – when I ask what he’s watching, he proceeds to explain the plot, with details about what’s happening with Jem.
I think he’d love the box set.
As for 80s singers, I tend to go all over the place.
How about Debora Iyall from Romeo Void (‘I might like you better if we slept together…”) or Nona Hendryx (who had a mid-80s video pulled from MTV because it had drag queens in it).
Rick Strandlof
OMG!!!
Why has no one mentioned Deb Harry and Blondie!!!
Heart of Glass…anyone? Anyone?
Rapture? Bueller? Bueller?
The Tide Is High? Really? No one?
Oh well…sigh.
BLONDIE ROCKS!!!!
ChrisC
I only know this show from the YouTube voice-dub “Jizz”. lol.
Conrad Honicker
Kate Pierson & Cindy Wilson (The B52s).
Maxim Cyr
Cyndi Lauper!
Chris Leto
Carol Decker. She was in the group T’pau and that produced a song called heart and soul. It was awesome and the band is named after a Star Trek Vulcan. COME ON HOW AWESOME IS THAT !!!!!!!!!
Mikey
Hands down: Pat Benatar
Aubrey Haltom
@Rick Strandlof: Debbie Harry is a great choice. I guess I tend to think of albums like Parallel Lines (circa late 70s). But you’re right. And ‘Blondie’ is still around…
Aubrey Haltom
@ Maxim and Jason B – Also kudos to Lauper. I don’t know why my mind went blank on both Debbie Harry and Cyndi Lauper. Lauper’s versions of ‘Money Changes Everything’ and ‘When You Were Mine’ are examples of excellent vocals.
Michael
Jem was a great family show I used to watch it all the time growing up.
Female singer of the 80s would be : Cyndi Lauper hands down. Time after Time is a classic that will never die as well as Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
Aaron Cohen
David Bowie (get it?!)
Tom Shutt
Dale Bozzio, Missing Persons
Eric
Judy Tenuta
Jon Trouten
I absolutely LOVE Jem! My favorite episodes were the later ones with the Stingers.
My favorite 80s singer was Cyndi Lauper!!!
Mario
Who else but crazy bat-shit insane Kate Bush. Being like 7 or 8 and watching her Babooshka video made me realize that being a weird was alright.
Mario
Who else but crazy bat-shit insane Kate Bush. Being like 7 or 8 and watching her Babooshka video made me realize that being a weirdo was alright.
Steffen
Tracy Chapman 🙂
Glorita!
Gloria Estefan.
travis518
Annie Lennox!
Pete
Martika. “We all fall down, like toy soldiers.”
Little Kiwi
Cyndi Muthafuckin’ Lauper
duh.
Eryn
Madonna
Nathan
Laura Branigan!!
Gregg
Sheena Easton
Mark
1980’s Dolly Parton; the truly outrageous inspiration for all things Jem!
Allen D.
I’m going to have to go with Debbie Gibson. I was a 7 year old kid who saw the tape of “Out of the Blue” at Musicland and fell in love. Not “in love” like I thought though. I wanted her outfit. I wanted to hang out with her, rather than bang her. It was weird. It was a pivotal moment in my life. So yeah, it was the first tape I ever owned.
Sidenote: Jem is the reason I became a musician. Sure, I would later put that skill to work in angry punk bands, but still. People are still shocked when I tell ’em that.
Gwen
I got to go with Annie Lennox. She is STILL awesome!
Corina
Paula Abdul was my first concert so I have love for her, but I also have a soft spot in my heart for Stacey Q. Two of hearts…two of hearts that beat as one…
If Robin Sparkles counted I would vote for her (the 80s didn’t come to Canada until like 93 so the timing almost works lol)
Breadquanda
I love me some Jem.
I guess I’d have to say Madonna.
Justin
Cyndi Lauper most definitely. Not only was she willing to write and sing about sensitive and personal topics, without Madonna’s shameless self-promotion and and willingness to debase herself, but she’s been an great ally of the GLBT community and has proven her ability to sing anything from bubblegum pop to blues.
AJM
Kate Bush, Queen of UK Art Pop!
fredo777
Janet Jackson. I still get my bathroom-mirror jam on to “What Have You Done For Me Lately”, “Nasty (Boys)”, “Control”, “The Pleasure Principle” + “When I Think Of You”. Not to mention “Escapade”, “Miss You Much”, + “Black Cat”.
I’m not ashamed to say that I make up my own choreography to the lyrics. ^_^
Aside from Janet (Ms. Jackson, if you nasty), I love Madonna, Whitney, Cyndi, + Klymaxx (“Meeting In The Ladies Room” + “The Men All Pause”). I’m an 80s kid + I love my 80s Girl Power music.
Casey
Annie Lenox – Sweet Dreams & Here Comes the Rain Again. Androgynous and impersonated Elvis, of course shes a diva.
Beatrix Morel
Pat Benatar!
Dollie
I like my 80s divas freaky, so gotta go with Grace Jones and Nina Hagen!
And slightly less freaky, but still unusual ;), I’ll always love me some Cyndi!
Freddie
PAULA ABDUL. Duhh
Jamie
Vanity(Prince’s protegee)! ‘Such a pretty mess’ is still the most amazing song ever.
Alan
Well I wasn’t born in the 80’s but that didn’t stop me from listening to 80’s Whitney Houston… Poor Whitney. lol
radgo
Definitely Joan Jett!
Ron
Annie Lennox 🙂
tshutt
Dale Bozzio.
Taylor
Kate Bush
Taylor
i should have said Sade but fuck it lol.
John
Tracey Thorn of Everything But The Girl.
AN
Laurie Anderson
Leah C
While everyone has listed some greats, I have to go with what my 11 year old self would have chosen… Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles! I actually used to lip sync to the Bangles (and alternately to Jem & The Holograms) into my hairbrush mic while pretending to rock out on the cheap guitar my mom got for me at Service Merchandise!!! Oh, the memories…
Donald
Kate Bush above all others
Robert Cross
Belinda Carlisle
Nick
Cyndi Lauper 100%. I wasn’t even alive in the 80s but she still gives me chills haha
Rachel
BELINDA CARLISLE!
austin
Cyndi Lauper
Toby
How gay would it be to say Madonna? Borderline was the first non nursey rhyme I learned words to ( I just aged myself) so Madge wins by default.
Toby
And let’s all agree that one of the box sets should go to Aubrey’s son. We were all that little boy once.
telicstorm
Klymaxx! “The Men All Pause” and “Meeting in the Ladies Room” These women were awesome.
Slap me, no, somebody slap me
‘cause i know i’m lookin’ good!
Love it!
Rachel
I totally LOVE Jem!
I have loved Dolly Parton for too many years to mention. Such a wonderful spirit!
Gerald
I think Stevie Nicks was for sure the greatest female singer of the 70’s and 80’s! I am totally stuck in the 80’s and watch Jem everyday on the HUB (tv station). An autographed copy for my curio cabinet would be awesome!!! Love Everyone! 😉
Jake V.
Cyndi Lauper!
Matt
So hard to pick one, but Debbie Harry is eternal. Cyndi Lauper, if I had to pick the pure essence of 80s-ness.
AladinSane
Cyndi Lauper always and forever!
Trevor Marshall
Madonna, or Lydia Lunch
xander
Annie Lennox … Ms Lauper….And Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders : “Back on the Chain Gang”). Oh wait OMG, Sade.
fredo777
@telicstorm: haha Klymaxx were on my list, too, for those very songs. I still know all the words.
“I WAS AT HOME FEELIN’ SLEAZY
SO I WENT DOWN TO THE SPEAK EASY
AS SOON AS MY FEET, HIT THE DOOR
I HAD ALL ATTENTION… FROM THE DANCE FLOOR”
damn, i love them.
P.S. I agree with Toby that her son should get a box set. How adorable.
Joanie
DAMN IT, SOMEONE BEAT ME TO JOAN JETT.
fredo777
@fredo777: * I agree with Toby that Aubrey’s son should get a box set.
Muggster
Hmmm-someone already said my all time fave, so 2nd in line would be those Wilson sisters, Ann & Nancy.
Kim Kelly
Debbie Harry of Blondie.. she had the voice and the style.. Maybe not risque like Madonna, but a style icon on her own.. “I’m not the kind of girl who gives up just like that..”
Mark Phillips
I have to say that my favorite of the time period was Cyndi Lauper!
Kevinsawinner
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a masterpiece so I have to go with Cyndi Lauper.
Josh
Grace Jones all the way! Under appreciated, and so so amazing.
Brent
Sade
Matt
I still rock out to that little lady with the big voice: Pat Benatar.
Saw her in concert 2 years ago and she still blows me away.
Though… I hate the fact you’re making us choose only one. Highlander style. Ironically, I can easily imagine Pat Benatar taking Christopher Lambert’s head to the tune of Promises in the Dark.
Aaron
Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins.
james_from_cambridge
Man I love Jiz!! This takes me back to my childhood!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfqO7zmd0oA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Remember the abortion episode?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAK108u2xAs&feature=related
Michael
Teena Marie. Who knew that a white girl could sing so black?!
evilqueen
SIOUXSIE SIOUX!
Trent
I love so many Divas of the 80’s… but I have to go with Cyndi Lauper. She bop!! True Colors!!! Girls just want to have fun!! Classics that I cannot pass up!!
Jem is my name!!!
Renee
Cindy Lauper although it’s a really tough call. Not only an amazing voice but so funny as well. Her clothes and hair were insane. And when she joined up with Capt Lou Albano as a avid wrestling fan my head nearly exploded. She was a walking cartoon. XD
kevy
although i wasn’t an 80’s kid, i have to say cyndi lauper aswell!
i love jem<3
they're both truly outrageous 😉
Clara Jones
Kylie Minogue and Tiffany…oh and Jem of course! Loved Jem and would be over the moon to win the dvds
Angel
This is a no brainer…The Queen of Pop….Madonna!!!
Reece
Definitely Cyndi Lauper for me. Ever since I was a little boy and heard “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” for the first time, I knew I was going to love her for life. And the fact that she has done so much for the LGBT community and helped homeless LGBT with her True Colors Foundation proves she’s more than a singer. She’s a role model and an inspiration.
Sherry
Debbie gibson! I always admired that she could write music and play the piano. She was a great influence.
Bax
You people are nuts. All those singers were good. But none of them were Jem good. Jem was the best of the 80s, bar none. Cyndi, Debbie and Tiffany all rock, but Jem is still #1 in my iTunes. I have every song and know all the lyrics. My phone alarm is set to wake me up to an extended version of Jem’s “Shangrila”… one of the best songs ever by any artist! I love it! I still sing all Jem, Misfits and Stingers songs to this day when i’m cruising down the street AND I’m not even gay. I just visited this site because by buddy D’sel sent me a link cause he knows about my Jem sickness. Shout out to D’sel! What up, brohan? It would be nice to win this… but I’m probably going to get online and preorder myself a copy anyway and lie about buying it “for my nieces.” So I don’t care if I lose. I can’t wait to see the last episode again when Bahne finds her dad, so I can cry like a 14-year-old girl, remembering the simplicity of the good ol’ days when cartoons didn’t suck and music was freakin awesome!
Jonny
Irene Cara
Alex
Madonna. I listened to her albums nearly every day as a kid, and have fond memories of dancing around the house to True Blue and Like a Prayer. I have many other favorite female singers, but no one comes close to Madonna.
Vasiliy
Mylene Farmer.
Patrick
Pat Benatar of course
tshutt
Dale Bozzio
Anderson
LITA FORD!
Jeffrey
Tiffany, hands down
the crustybastard
@Aubrey Haltom:
I love you for “Debra Iyall.”
Karsh
Vesta Williams
Megan
BLONDIE!
ALWAYS BLONDIE!
Ted
Debbie Harry of Blondie. Can’t get Classier than that!
hownice4you
Erasure’s Andy Bell! Not technically a “female” but certainly a “girl”!