Cyndi Lauper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cyndi Lauper
Lauper performing in the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, 2024
Born	Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (1953-06-22) June 22, 1953 (age 72) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter producer actress activist
Years active	1977–present
Spouse(s)	David Thornton ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	1
Musical career
Origin	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genres	Pop dance new wave rock
Instruments	Vocals dulcimer guitar
Labels	Portrait Epic Daylight Downtown Sire
Signature

Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (born June 22, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is famous for her powerful voice, colorful hair, and unique fashion style. Lauper has sold over 50 million records around the world. She is also known for her work to help others, especially in supporting equal rights for all people.

Her first album, She's So Unusual (1983), was a huge success. It had four top-five hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Time After Time", "She Bop", and "All Through the Night". This success earned her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1985.

Lauper has won many major awards for her work in music, television, and theater. She is one of the few people to win three of the four major American entertainment awards: a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony Award. She was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Life and Career

1953–1982: Early Life and Blue Angel

Cyndi Lauper was born in Brooklyn, New York City. She grew up in the Queens neighborhood. As a child, she loved listening to artists like the Beatles and Judy Garland. When she was 12, her sister gave her a guitar, and she started writing her own songs.

Lauper was known for her creative style, with brightly colored hair and unusual clothes. She even changed the spelling of her name from "Cindy" to "Cyndi." After leaving high school, she traveled and worked different jobs while pursuing her dream of becoming an artist.

In the late 1970s, Lauper formed a band called Blue Angel. The band was signed to a record label and released an album in 1980. Although critics liked their music, the album did not sell well. The band eventually broke up, and Lauper faced financial problems. For a time, she had to rest her voice due to a vocal cord injury.

1983–1985: She's So Unusual and Superstardom

Lauper performing in 1984

In 1981, Lauper met David Wolff, who became her manager. He helped her get a solo record deal with Portrait Records. On October 14, 1983, she released her first solo album, She's So Unusual. The album was a massive hit all over the world.

Lauper became a huge star, loved by teens and critics. She co-wrote some of the album's biggest hits, including "Time After Time" and "She Bop." For the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", she changed the original lyrics to create a fun anthem about joy and freedom for women.

The music video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" became iconic. It won the first-ever Best Female Video award at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. The video featured her real mother, her manager, and even professional wrestling manager "Captain" Lou Albano. This led to Lauper's involvement in the World Wrestling Federation's "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection," where she appeared with wrestlers like Hulk Hogan.

1986–1995: New Sounds and Acting Roles

Lauper in 1985

Lauper released her second album, True Colors, in 1986. The title track, "True Colors", became another number-one hit and an anthem for being true to yourself. In 1988, she starred in her first movie, a comedy called Vibes.

Her third album, A Night to Remember (1989), included the hit single "I Drove All Night". In 1991, she married actor David Thornton.

In 1993, Lauper released Hat Full of Stars. On this album, she wrote about serious social issues like fairness and respect. While the album was praised by critics, it wasn't a big commercial success. During this time, Lauper also acted in the TV show Mad About You, and her performance won her an Emmy Award in 1995.

1996–2009: Motherhood, Broadway, and New Albums

Lauper performing in 2000

In 1997, Lauper and her husband had a son, Declyn. That same year, she released the album Sisters of Avalon. The album explored deep themes, including a song for a friend who had passed away from a serious illness. In 1998, she released a Christmas album, Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life.

Throughout the 2000s, Lauper continued to release new music. She released At Last (2003), an album of cover songs, and The Body Acoustic (2005), which featured new versions of her classic hits. In 2006, she made her debut on Broadway in the musical The Threepenny Opera. Her 2008 album, Bring Ya to the Brink, was a collection of dance music that earned a Grammy nomination.

2010–2019: Memphis Blues and Kinky Boots

Lauper's 2010 album, Memphis Blues, was a big success. It went to number one on the Billboard Blues Albums chart and stayed there for 14 weeks. The album was also nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 2013, Lauper achieved one of her greatest successes. She wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical Kinky Boots. The show was a huge hit, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Lauper won the Tony Award for Best Original Score, making her the first woman to win this award by herself. The cast album for Kinky Boots also won a Grammy Award.

During this decade, she also released a country album called Detour (2016) and toured to celebrate the 30th anniversary of She's So Unusual.

2020–present: Documentary and Farewell Tour

Lauper speaking to reporters at the White House in 2022

In 2023, a documentary about Lauper's life and career, called Let the Canary Sing, was released. It tells the story of her journey from her childhood in Queens to becoming a global icon.

On June 3, 2024, Lauper announced her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour. She said she wanted to do one last major tour to thank her fans for their support over the years. The tour began in October 2024.

In 2025, Lauper was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her major impact on music history.

Activism

Lauper performing at the Gay Games VII, Wrigley Field, July 22, 2006

Lauper has been a dedicated activist for equality throughout her career. She is a strong supporter of rights for LGBTQ people. Her passion for this cause is partly inspired by her sister, Ellen, who is a lesbian.

In 2008, Lauper co-founded True Colors United, an organization that works to end homelessness among young people, with a special focus on helping LGBTQ youth. Her song "True Colors" has become an anthem for the LGBTQ community.

In December 2022, Lauper performed "True Colors" at the White House. She was there for the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, a law that protects the marriage rights of all couples in the United States. She also started the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund to support organizations that protect women's health and rights.

Legacy

Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry performing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". Both artists have said they are influenced by Lauper's sound and look.

Cyndi Lauper changed the role of women in rock and pop music. Her unique style, powerful voice, and fearless attitude have influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj.

Her first album, She's So Unusual, brought a punk-influenced style to mainstream pop music. Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Her songs have had a lasting impact. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" is a joyful anthem of female empowerment. "Time After Time" is a classic ballad that has been covered by over 100 artists. "True Colors" is an inspiring song about acceptance that has become a global anthem for the LGBTQ community.

Discography

• She's So Unusual (1983)
• True Colors (1986)
• A Night to Remember (1989)
• Hat Full of Stars (1993)
• Sisters of Avalon (1996)
• Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life (1998)
• At Last (2003)
• Shine (2004)
• The Body Acoustic (2005)
• Bring Ya to the Brink (2008)
• Memphis Blues (2010)
• Detour (2016)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded for outstanding achievements in the music industry. Lauper has won two awards from 16 nominations.

Tony Awards

The Tony Awards recognize achievement in live Broadway theatre. Lauper is the first woman to win a Tony solo for Best Score.

Emmy Awards

An Emmy Award recognizes excellence in the television industry.

See also

In Spanish: Cyndi Lauper para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of awards and nominations received by Cyndi Lauper
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of number-one hits (United States)