Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist with a career spanning over 40 years. Her debut album, "She's So Unusual" (1983), made history with four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100, earning her the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 1985. Her success continued with hits like "True Colors," "Change of Heart," and "I Drove All Night." Lauper has also contributed to movie soundtracks, including "The Goonies." Her influence transcends music, as she is also recognized for her activism.
Cyndi Lauper's mother, Catrine Gallo, was born in 1930.
On June 22, 1953, Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper, better known as Cyndi Lauper, was born in Brooklyn, New York City.
In 1977, Cyndi Lauper experienced vocal cord damage, forcing her to take a year off from singing. Despite initial concerns from doctors, she recovered her voice with the help of vocal coach Katie Agresta.
Cyndi Lauper and saxophone player John Turi formed the band Blue Angel in 1978, marking a significant step in Lauper's musical journey.
Blue Angel, signed by Polydor Records, released their self-titled debut album in 1980. Despite critical acclaim, the album saw limited commercial success, leading to the band's eventual breakup.
The film "Fame," featuring the song Cyndi Lauper would later perform at the Grammy Awards, was released in 1980.
A pivotal moment in 1981 saw Cyndi Lauper crossing paths with David Wolff, who became her manager and secured her a recording contract with Portrait Records, a subsidiary of Epic Records.
On October 14, 1983, Cyndi Lauper released "She's So Unusual," her debut solo album that would catapult her to international fame.
Cyndi Lauper's "Japanese Singles Collection – Greatest Hits" includes singles released from 1983 to 1995.
In 1983, Cyndi Lauper released her debut solo album, "She's So Unusual," which became a global sensation, reaching the top five in multiple countries.
Cyndi Lauper won the first-ever MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video for her iconic "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" video in 1984. This video earned recognition from MTV, VH1, and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music videos of its time.
Cyndi Lauper's single "She Bop," from her debut album, became both a controversial topic and a critical success in 1984. The song, lauded for its playful approach to female sexuality, faced scrutiny and was included on the PMRC's "Filthy Fifteen" list for its suggestive lyrics. Despite the controversy, Rolling Stone recognized it as one of the best songs of the year, ranking it at number 36.
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper's impactful music video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" made history by winning the first-ever Best Female Video award at the MTV Video Music Awards. The video, celebrating diversity and female empowerment, featured a cast of women from various backgrounds, embodying Lauper's vibrant style.
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper's video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" won the first-ever MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video, solidifying her presence in music television. The video featured notable appearances, including Lauper's father played by "Captain" Lou Albano, her real mother, Catrine, her attorney, manager, brother, and even her dog, Sparkle.
In 1985, demonstrating her commitment to social causes, Cyndi Lauper lent her voice to the USA for Africa's famine-relief single "We Are the World." The song became a global phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies and raising substantial funds for famine relief.
Cyndi Lauper's success continued in 1985 as she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The soundtrack for the film "The Goonies," to which she contributed, also gained popularity.
Cyndi Lauper released "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough," a single featured on the soundtrack of the popular film The Goonies, in 1985. The accompanying music video incorporated a wrestling theme, featuring several wrestling stars. The song achieved commercial success, reaching the 10th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1985 marked a year of significant recognition for Cyndi Lauper. She graced the covers of prominent magazines such as Rolling Stone, Time, Newsweek, and People. Additionally, she was honored as Ms. magazine's Woman of the Year, highlighting her influence and impact.
"She's So Unusual" earned Cyndi Lauper numerous accolades at the 1985 Grammy Awards. Besides winning Best New Artist, the album received nominations for prestigious categories such as Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Additionally, the album's unique packaging garnered a Grammy for Best Album Package, awarded to art director Janet Perr.
Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy Award nomination in 1986 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her song "What a Thrill."
Cyndi Lauper released her second studio album, "True Colors," in 1986. The album debuted at number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually peaked at number 4.
In 1986, Cyndi Lauper collaborated with Billy Joel on the song "Code of Silence," featured on Joel's album "The Bridge." She co-wrote the lyrics and performed a duet with Joel. That same year, she showcased her versatility by singing the theme song for the children's series "Pee-wee's Playhouse," using the pseudonym "Ellen Shaw."
Lauper released her second album, "True Colors," in 1986, featuring the chart-topping single of the same name and the hit "Change of Heart."
In 1987, Lauper released a cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," which achieved moderate success.
The year 1987 saw the release of "Cyndi Lauper in Paris," a concert film produced by David Wolff. The film captured a performance by Lauper and was broadcasted on HBO.
Cyndi Lauper made her acting debut in August 1988 with the comedy film "Vibes." She starred alongside Jeff Goldblum, Peter Falk, and Julian Sands, playing the role of a psychic on a quest for a lost city of gold in South America. Despite initial negative reception and commercial disappointment, the film eventually gained recognition as a cult classic.
Roy Orbison, a renowned American singer-songwriter, passed away on December 6, 1988.
In 1988, Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Long Form Music Video for "Cyndi Lauper in Paris."
The film "Working Girl," which inspired the musical Cyndi Lauper would later compose music for, was released in 1988.
Cyndi Lauper's song "I Drove All Night" became a hit in 1989.
In the spring of 1989, Cyndi Lauper released her third studio album, "A Night to Remember." The album featured a notable cover of Roy Orbison's "I Drove All Night," which became a hit, reaching number 6 on the charts. Despite this success, the album's overall sales were lower than her previous releases. Notably, the music video for the album's track "My First Night Without You" marked one of the first instances of closed-captioning for the hearing impaired in a music video.
In May 1990, Cyndi Lauper participated in a tribute concert honoring the late John Lennon in Liverpool. Her friendship with Yoko Ono led to her involvement in the event. She delivered powerful performances of the Beatles' "Hey Bulldog" and John Lennon's "Working Class Hero." Additionally, she joined Sean Lennon's "The Peace Choir" for a rendition of Lennon's iconic peace anthem, "Give Peace a Chance."
In 1990, Scottish pop band Aztec Camera released their version of Cyndi Lauper's hit song "True Colors." The cover appeared as the B-side to their single "The Crying Scene," showcasing the enduring appeal and influence of Lauper's work.
Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her rendition of "I Drove All Night" at the 1990 Grammy Awards.
On November 24, 1991, Cyndi Lauper married actor David Thornton.
Cyndi Lauper's fourth studio album, "Hat Full of Stars," was released in June 1993. The album received critical acclaim for its exploration of socially conscious themes such as homophobia, domestic violence, racism, and abortion. Despite the positive reception from critics, the album was met with limited commercial success, selling fewer than 120,000 copies in the United States. It peaked at number 112 on the Billboard charts. The music video for the song "Sally's Pigeons" featured a young Julia Stiles before her rise to fame.
Cyndi Lauper returned to acting in 1993, taking on the role of Michael J. Fox's secretary in the film "Life with Mikey." She also garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of Marianne Lugasso in the sitcom "Mad About You," for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award.
Lauper achieved her first dance club hit with the release of "That's What I Think" in 1993.
Cyndi Lauper's "Japanese Singles Collection – Greatest Hits" includes singles released from 1983 to 1995.
Cyndi Lauper released her fifth studio album, "Sisters of Avalon," in 1996 in Japan, with its release in other countries following in 1997. Lauper co-wrote and produced the album in collaboration with keyboardist Jan Pulsford and producer Mark Saunders. Similar to her previous album, "Hat Full of Stars," "Sisters of Avalon" delved into complex and thought-provoking themes. The song "Ballad of Cleo and Joe" explored the complexities of a drag queen navigating a double life, while "Say a Prayer" served as a heartfelt tribute to a friend Lauper had lost to AIDS. The song "Unhook the Stars" was featured in a film of the same name. Despite receiving critical praise, including a positive review from People magazine, the album did not achieve commercial success in the United States, only appearing on the Billboard album chart for a single week at number 188.
On November 19, 1997, Cyndi Lauper gave birth to her son, Declyn Wallace Lauper Thornton.
Cyndi Lauper lent her voice to "The Simpsons" on January 17, 1999, appearing as an animated version of herself in the episode titled "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken." In the episode, she humorously sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" to the tune of her hit song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
On October 12, 2000, Cyndi Lauper participated in the television special "Women in Rock, Girls with Guitars." The show featured notable female musicians, and Lauper shared the stage with Ann Wilson of Heart and the girl group Destiny's Child.
In 2000, Cyndi Lauper continued to make her mark in the film industry, appearing in the films "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle" and "The Opportunists." She also showcased her musical talents by contributing to the soundtrack of the animated film "Rugrats in Paris: The Movie." Her song "I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever" was featured on the soundtrack.
A CD compilation of the performances from the "Women in Rock, Girls with Guitars" television special was released exclusively at Sears stores for a limited time, from September 30 to October 31, 2001. The CD was marketed as a fundraiser to support breast cancer research.
Rolling Stone magazine recognized Blue Angel's self-titled album cover in 2003, including it in their list of the 100 best new wave album covers.
In 2003, "She's So Unusual" by Cyndi Lauper was recognized for its impact and legacy by being included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, securing its place at number 487.
Cyndi Lauper released "At Last" (previously titled "Naked City") under Sony/Epic Records in 2003. The album featured Lauper's interpretations of classic songs from various genres.
In April 2004, Cyndi Lauper joined a lineup of prominent female artists for VH1's benefit concert "Divas Live 2004." The concert, which supported the Save the Music Foundation, also featured Ashanti, Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, and Patti LaBelle.
Cyndi Lauper dedicated a concert tour in 2005 to raising awareness for the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which honors the memory of Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was murdered in a hate crime.
Cyndi Lauper had a busy year in 2005, releasing her ninth studio album, "The Body Acoustic," and making guest appearances on the popular Showtime series "Queer as Folk."
Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for her rendition of "Unchained Melody" from the album "At Last." The album achieved commercial success, selling 4.5 million copies.
On October 16, 2006, Cyndi Lauper was honored for her musical achievements with an induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
The 2006 independent film "Kinky Boots" would later serve as the inspiration for a Broadway musical for which Lauper would compose the music and lyrics.
In 2006, Cyndi Lauper made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated production of "The Threepenny Opera," playing the role of Jenny. She also participated in VH1 Classics special "Decades Rock Live!" alongside Shaggy, Scott Weiland of Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots, Pat Monahan of Train, Ani DiFranco, and the Hooters. In addition to her television appearances, she collaborated with other musicians, singing "Message to Michael" with Dionne Warwick and "Beecharmer" with Nellie McKay on McKay's album "Pretty Little Head."
In 2007, Lauper made a guest appearance on the popular children's show "The Backyardigans", lending her voice to the song "Lady in Pink".
Cyndi Lauper's tenth studio album, titled "Bring Ya to the Brink", was released in the United States on May 27, 2008.
In August 2008, Cyndi Lauper publicly endorsed Barack Obama for the U.S. presidency, writing an article titled "Hope" for The Huffington Post to encourage Americans to vote for him. She also showed her support by performing at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
2008 was a busy year for Lauper, marked by her participation in the True Colors Tour, a Christmas collaboration with The Hives ("A Christmas Duel"), and a headlining performance on the "Girls Night Out" tour alongside Rosie O'Donnell.
In 2008, Cyndi Lauper established True Colors United (TCU), an organization dedicated to addressing youth homelessness, particularly among LGBT youth, after discovering the disproportionate representation of LGBT youth within the homeless population.
On November 17, 2009, Lauper and Wyclef Jean performed their collaborative work, "Slumdog Millionaire", on the "Late Show with David Letterman".
In January 2010, Mattel paid tribute to Lauper's influence by releasing a Cyndi Lauper Barbie doll as a part of their "Ladies of the 80s" series.
Lauper showed her business acumen in March 2010 as a contestant on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice", ultimately finishing in sixth place.
In April 2010, TCU, founded by Cyndi Lauper, launched the Give a Damn campaign. This initiative aimed to increase awareness and support for LGBT rights among heterosexual individuals.
Lauper explored new musical territory with the June 22, 2010 release of her seventh studio album, "Memphis Blues". The album topped the Billboard Blues Albums chart and achieved mainstream success, peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Top 200.
In 2010, Cyndi Lauper's album "Memphis Blues" became a major success, topping the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 weeks, marking it as the most successful blues album of the year.
Lauper delighted stranded passengers in March 2011 with an impromptu performance of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" while waiting for a delayed flight at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires. The performance was captured on video and shared widely on YouTube.
In November 2011, Lauper embraced the holiday spirit, releasing two Christmas singles exclusively on iTunes: a blues-infused rendition of Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" and a fresh take on "Home for the Holidays", featuring a duet with Norah Jones.
Lauper's 2010 album "Memphis Blues" earned her a Grammy Award nomination in 2011 for Best Traditional Blues Album.
September 2012 was a month of creative expression for Lauper. She performed at fashion designer Betsey Johnson's 40th Anniversary Retrospective Fashion Show and also released her New York Times best-selling memoir. The book candidly detailed her struggles with child abuse and depression.
Lauper's foray into musical theater, "Kinky Boots", with a book by Harvey Fierstein, premiered in Chicago in October 2012.
In 2012, Rolling Stone further acknowledged the cultural significance of Cyndi Lauper's debut album, "She's So Unusual," by placing it at number 41 on their list of "Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time."
On April 4, 2013, "Kinky Boots", the musical for which Lauper composed music and lyrics, opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway.
Cyndi Lauper made history in 2013 by becoming the first woman to win a solo Tony Award for Best Original Score for the musical "Kinky Boots." The musical itself received high acclaim and was awarded five other Tony Awards, including Best New Musical.
In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, notably her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, Cyndi Lauper was invited to President Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album, "She's So Unusual", Lauper embarked on an international tour in 2013. The tour spanned across America and Australia, treating fans to a captivating blend of beloved hits and the entirety of the iconic "She's So Unusual" album.
Lauper joined Cher on her "Dressed to Kill" tour starting April 23, 2014, making guest appearances for 36 dates.
Lauper graced the stage of "America's Got Talent" on September 17, 2014, delivering a memorable performance during the show's finale.
Lauper's songwriting prowess earned her a nomination to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2014. That same month, she announced her fourth annual "Home for the Holidays" benefit concert, a cause dedicated to supporting homeless gay youth. The event featured performances by artists such as 50 Cent and Laverne Cox, with all proceeds donated to True Colors United.
Lauper received a Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Musical Theater Album for her work on the cast recording of "Kinky Boots."
Lauper reprised her role as Avalon Harmonia on the crime drama "Bones" in March 2015.
In July 2015, Lauper used her platform to raise awareness about psoriasis, discussing her own experiences with the condition on "The Today Show" and promoting her work with Novartis and the National Psoriasis Foundation. She also revealed her upcoming country album project with producer Seymour Stein, later confirming to Rolling Stone that Tony Brown would co-produce.
Lauper's musical "Kinky Boots" made its way across the pond, opening at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End on September 15, 2015.
Lauper kicked off 2016 by revealing her plans to release a new album, "Detour", on May 6, 2016. The album featured Lauper's renditions of classic country songs. To coincide with the announcement, she released her version of Harlan Howard's "Heartaches by the Number" and delivered a performance on "Skyville Live" alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Ingrid Michaelson.
Lauper's contributions to the UK production of "Kinky Boots" earned her an Olivier Award nomination in February 2016.
On February 17, 2016, Lauper treated fans to another glimpse of her upcoming country album, "Detour", with the release of her interpretation of Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love".
Lauper's highly anticipated country album, "Detour", hit the shelves on May 6, 2016.
Lauper collaborated with renowned French producer Jean-Michel Jarre on the track "Swipe to the Right" from his album "Electronica 2: The Heart of Noise", released in May 2016.
The West End production of "Kinky Boots" won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2016, further solidifying the show's global success.
Lauper showcased her musical versatility on "Austin City Limits" in January 2017, performing a setlist that included a mix of her classic hits and selections from her country album, "Detour". The episode was broadcast on PBS.
The cast recording of the UK production of "Kinky Boots" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in January 2017.
Songwriters Benny Mardones and Robert Tepper filed a lawsuit against Lauper on August 30, 2017, alleging that the "Kinky Boots" closing song, "Raise You Up", borrowed elements from their composition, "Into the Night".
In March 2018, it was announced that Cyndi Lauper would team up with Rob Hyman, her co-writer on "Time After Time", to compose the score for a musical adaptation of the 1988 film "Working Girl." Lauper aimed to infuse the music with an authentic 1980s sound.
Cyndi Lauper launched her exclusive Christmas collection, "Cyndi Lauper Loves Christmas," in collaboration with Grandin Road in September 2018.
Cyndi Lauper appeared as a lawyer in an episode titled "Sudden Death" on the rebooted television series "Magnum P.I." The episode aired on October 22, 2018.
On November 15, 2018, it was announced that Cyndi Lauper would be honored with the Icon Award at Billboard's 13th annual Women in Music Event on December 6 in New York City.
Cyndi Lauper held her annual Home For The Holidays concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York on December 8, 2018.
Cyndi Lauper performed the English translation of the song "Together" for the English version of the Canadian animated film "Racetime" released in January 2019.
After an impressive six-year run, encompassing 2,507 regular performances, "Kinky Boots" took its final bow on the Broadway stage on April 7, 2019. It secured its place as the 25th-longest-running Broadway musical ever, grossing a remarkable $297 million during its time on Broadway.
Cyndi Lauper performed at the opening ceremony of Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019 on June 26, 2019.
In August 2019, legal representatives for Benny Mardones announced that an agreement in principle had been reached to settle the lawsuit concerning Lauper's "Raise You Up". Details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Cyndi Lauper released "Japanese Singles Collection – Greatest Hits," a two-disc compilation album featuring her singles released in Japan between 1983 and 1995, on September 6, 2019.
In September 2019, it was announced that Cyndi Lauper would co-star with Jane Lynch in a new Netflix comedy series.
Cyndi Lauper delivered the commencement address at her alma mater, Northern Vermont University - Johnson (formerly Johnson State College), in 2019. She was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree during the ceremony.
Cyndi Lauper performed a chorus of "I Sing the Body Electric" from the 1980 film "Fame" at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards Show on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.
On April 23, 2020, Cyndi Lauper participated in an online fundraising concert organized by the Stonewall Inn Gives Back nonprofit organization to support LGBTQ nightlife workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Cyndi Lauper collaborated with former "American Idol" finalist Casey Abrams on a cover version of the song "Eve of Destruction" in November 2020.
As of March 2021, there were no updates available regarding the Netflix comedy series Cyndi Lauper was set to star in.
Cyndi Lauper was a featured guest vocalist on the track "Blame it on Christmas" by Shea Diamond, released in November 2021.
A developmental production premiere of the musical "Working Girl" was planned for the 2021/2022 season.
It was announced in May 2022 that a career retrospective documentary about Cyndi Lauper, directed by Alison Ellwood, was in production.
In December 2022, Cyndi Lauper performed her iconic song "True Colors" at a momentous ceremony where U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law.
Cyndi Lauper, along with Alex Nolan, performed "True Colors" at a White House event in December 2022 commemorating the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act by President Joe Biden.
A developmental production premiere of the musical "Working Girl" was planned for the 2021/2022 season.
In 2022, Cyndi Lauper launched the Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights Fund, aiming to support organizations dedicated to advocating for abortion rights and access to reproductive healthcare.
Cyndi Lauper performed at the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Show honoring Joni Mitchell on April 1.
Catrine Gallo, Cyndi Lauper's mother, passed away in 2022.
Cyndi Lauper was revealed as a nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January 2023.
The soundtrack single "Gonna Be You," featuring vocals by Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, and Gloria Estefan, was released in January 2023. The song, written by Diane Warren, was featured in the film "80 for Brady."
The inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for which Cyndi Lauper was nominated, were announced in May 2023.
The documentary about Cyndi Lauper's career, "Let The Canary Sing," premiered in June 2023.
Cyndi Lauper released the track "Oh Dolores," which she wrote for the Prime Video series "The Horror of Dolores Roach," in July 2023. Lauper also had a recurring role in the series.
In February 2024, Cyndi Lauper announced a collaboration with Pophouse, a company owned by Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, following their acquisition of portions of her song catalog. The partnership aimed to develop various projects, including a television series, a festival, and an immersive theater experience.
The soundtrack for the Cyndi Lauper documentary, "Let the Canary Sing," was released on May 31, 2024.
The documentary about Cyndi Lauper, "Let the Canary Sing," directed by Alison Ellwood, is set to debut on Paramount+ on June 4, 2024.
Cyndi Lauper is scheduled to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK on June 29, 2024.