Cyndi Lauper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cyndi Lauper
Lauper performing in the Royal Albert Hall in June 2024
Born	Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (1953-06-22) June 22, 1953 (age 71) 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
Genres	Pop dance new wave rock
Instruments	Vocals dulcimer guitar
Labels	Portrait Epic Daylight Downtown Sire
Signature

Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (/ˈlɔːpər/ LAW-pər; born June 22, 1953) is a famous American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her unique voice, colorful style, and hit songs like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time." She is also celebrated for her work helping others, especially young people who need safe places to live.

Early Life

Lauper in 1985

Lauper performing in 2000

Lauper performing in 2008

Lauper speaking to reporters at the White House in 2022

Lauper performing at Glastonbury Festival in 2024

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

Cyndi Lauper was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on June 22, 1953. Her family had roots in different parts of Europe. Her parents separated when she was young. Growing up in Queens, she loved listening to music from artists like The Beatles. When she was about 12, she started writing her own songs and learned to play the guitar.

Cyndi always had a unique way of expressing herself through her clothes and hair, which sometimes made her stand out. She even decided to spell her first name with a 'y' instead of an 'i'. She faced some tough times growing up, including leaving home when she was 17 to pursue her interest in art. She traveled and took art classes, supporting herself with different jobs.

In the early 1970s, Cyndi started singing with different bands, performing cover songs. However, she really wanted to sing her own music. She faced a challenge when she damaged her vocal cords and was told she might not sing again. But with hard work and help from a vocal coach, she was able to regain her voice and continue her dream.

Starting out in music

In 1978, Cyndi formed a band called Blue Angel with saxophonist John Turi. They wrote and recorded their own songs. A music manager heard their music and was impressed by Cyndi's voice. Blue Angel signed with a record label and released their first album in 1980. Even though critics liked the album, it didn't sell very well, and the band eventually broke up. The band also faced some financial difficulties after parting ways with their manager. After this, Cyndi sang in local clubs and worked other jobs while still pursuing her music.

Becoming a pop superstar

Everything changed for Cyndi when she met David Wolff, who became her manager and helped her get a solo recording contract. On October 14, 1983, she released her first solo album, She's So Unusual. This album was a massive success all around the world. It reached high spots on music charts and made Cyndi popular with both young people and music critics.

The album featured several hit songs that became anthems for a generation. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was a huge hit with a memorable music video that showed people of all kinds having a great time. Cyndi actually changed some of the original lyrics of the song to make it more about young women having fun and expressing themselves. Another big hit from the album was the beautiful ballad "Time After Time," which she helped write. Other popular songs included "She Bop" and "All Through the Night."

She's So Unusual was the first time a female artist had four songs from one debut album reach the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album sold millions of copies and earned Cyndi the Best New Artist award at the Grammy Awards in 1985. The music video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" also won the first-ever award for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Cyndi's colorful and unique style, created with the help of a stylist, became a big part of her image during this time.

During this period, Cyndi also participated in the famous charity song "We Are the World," which helped raise money for famine relief in Africa. She also appeared alongside professional wrestlers in fun, crossover events, showing her playful personality.

Continuing success

Cyndi's second album, True Colors, released in 1986, also had big hits, including the title track "True Colors" and "Change of Heart." The song "True Colors" became especially meaningful to many people and is seen as a message of acceptance and being true to yourself.

She continued to release music and explore different styles. Her third album, A Night to Remember (1989), included the hit "I Drove All Night." Her album Hat Full of Stars (1993) was praised by critics for its thoughtful songs about important topics, even though it didn't sell as many copies as her earlier work.

Acting and other projects

Besides singing, Cyndi has also worked as an actress. She appeared in films like Vibes (1988) and Life with Mikey (1993). She also won an Emmy Award for her guest role on the TV show Mad About You.

In 1997, Cyndi became a mother, welcoming her son, Declyn. She continued to release albums, including Sisters of Avalon (1997), which featured songs touching on various themes, and a Christmas album, Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life (1998).

In the 2000s, Cyndi released albums like At Last (2003), where she sang cover versions of classic songs, and Memphis Blues (2010), which focused on blues music and was very successful on the blues charts. She also appeared on reality TV shows like The Celebrity Apprentice.

Broadway Success

A major highlight of Cyndi's career in recent years has been her work in theater. She wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical Kinky Boots. The musical was a huge hit and won many Tony Awards in 2013, including Best Musical. Cyndi won the Tony Award for Best Original Score, making her the first woman to win this award by herself. Kinky Boots ran on Broadway for many years and was also performed in other countries.

Recent years and farewell tour

In 2016, Cyndi released Detour, an album where she sang classic country songs. She has continued to tour and perform for her fans around the world.

In 2023, a documentary film about her career called Let the Canary Sing was released, looking back at her amazing journey in music.

Looking ahead, in February 2024, it was announced that Cyndi was working with a company called Pophouse on future projects, including possibly a TV series and immersive experiences, using her music.

Most recently, in May 2024, just before her documentary became available on streaming, Cyndi announced that she would be going on one last big tour called the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour." This tour started in October 2024 and is planned to finish in August 2025. She said she wanted to do this tour to thank her fans properly while she is still feeling good and able to perform. She has been performing at festivals like Glastonbury in England as part of this tour.

Activism and advocacy

Cyndi Lauper is also well known for her dedication to helping others and advocating for fairness and equality. She was inspired by her sister, Ellen, and believes everyone should be treated with respect and have the same opportunities.

She co-founded an organization called True Colors United, which works to end homelessness among young people. The organization helps provide safe places to stay and support for young people in need. Cyndi has held concerts and events to raise money and awareness for this cause. In December 2022, she even performed her song "True Colors" at the White House when a law was signed to protect the right to marry for same-sex couples.

Cyndi has also supported other causes, like raising money for children battling cancer and advocating for women's rights.

Legacy and influence

Cyndi Lauper is seen as an important figure in music history. Her unique style and voice helped bring new wave and punk influences into popular music. She showed that it was okay to be different and express yourself creatively. Her music and image have inspired many artists who came after her.

Her debut album, She's So Unusual, is considered one of the greatest albums of all time by magazines like Rolling Stone. Songs like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" are celebrated for their fun, empowering messages, and their music videos were groundbreaking. "Time After Time" is loved for its beautiful melody and lyrics and has been covered by many other singers. "True Colors" remains an anthem of hope and acceptance.

Cyndi Lauper's career shows how being true to yourself, working hard, and using your talents to help others can make a lasting difference in the world.

Discography

Tours

Filmography

Theatre

Television

Film

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Lauper has won two awards from 16 nominations.

Note: She's So Unusual also won Best Album Package in 1985. Best Album Package is credited to the art director and not the performer. The art director was Janet Perr. Note: "We Are the World" (which featured Cyndi Lauper as a vocalist) also won Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Music Video, Short Form, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1986. Song of the Year is credited to the songwriters and not the performer. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group were presented to the producer in 1986, the song was produced by Quincy Jones. Best Music Video, Short Form is presented to the director and producer, Tom Trbovich directed the video while Quincy Jones served as producer. Note: Lauper received a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), as she was one of the three arrangers along with Steve Gaboury and Don Sebesky.

Tony Awards

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known informally as the Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. Lauper is the first woman to win a Tony solo for Best Score.

Emmy Awards

An Emmy Award recognizes excellence in the television industry.

MTV Video Music Award

The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. Lauper won one award from 14 nominations, the first Best Female Video.

Other recognition

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)