View source for Cyndi Lauper

{{Short description|American singer-songwriter and actress (born 1953)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Cyndi Lauper
| image              = CyndiLauperRAH260624 (51 of 51) (53819275674) (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Lauper performing in the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in [[London]], England, 2024
| birth_name         = Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1953|6|22}}
| birth_place        = [[Queens]], [[New York City]], U.S.<!--No boroughs/neighborhoods, just cities per format.-->
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer|actress|activist}}
| years_active       = 1977–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[David Thornton (actor)|David Thornton]]|1991}}
| children           = One
| website            = {{URL|cyndilauper.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed          = yes
| instrument     = {{hlist|Vocals|[[dulcimer]]|guitar}}<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
| origin         = [[Queens]], [[New York City]], U.S.
| genre          = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Chiu|first=David|date=October 19, 2012|title=Cyndi Lauper: A singer who persevered against the odds|website=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cyndi-lauper-a-singer-who-persevered-against-the-odds/#|access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref>|[[New wave music|new wave]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cyndi Lauper|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|publisher=Rock Hall|url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/cyndi-lauper/|access-date=November 5, 2025}}</ref>}}
| label          = {{hlist|[[Portrait Records|Portrait]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]|[[Daylight Records|Daylight]]|[[Downtown Records|Downtown]]|[[Sire Records|Sire]]}}
| past_member_of = [[Blue Angel (band)|Blue Angel]]
}}
| signature          = Cyndi Lauper (signature).svg
}}

'''Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɔː|p|ər}} {{respell|LAW|pər}}; born June 22, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter and actress.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/cyndi-lauper/give-a-damn_b_1000046.html|title=Give a Damn|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> Known for her distinctive image, featuring a variety of hair colors and eccentric clothing,<ref name="auto">{{cite news|work=[[On the Media]]|first=Brooke|last=Gladstone |title=Interview With Cyndi Lauper}}</ref> and for her powerful four-octave [[vocal range]],<ref name="auto1">Jerome, Jim. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20088685,00.html "She Wants to Have Fun"], ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', September 17, 1984. Retrieved September 30, 2008.</ref> Lauper has sold over 50 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/30/cyndi-lauper-on-capitol-hill-and-the-secret-feminist-history-of-girls-just-wanna-have-fun/ |title=Cyndi Lauper and the secret feminist history of 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=January 19, 2020|date=April 30, 2015 }}</ref> She has also been celebrated for her humanitarian work, particularly as an advocate for [[LGBTQ rights in the United States]].

Her debut studio album, ''[[She's So Unusual]]'' (1983), was the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]—"[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]", "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]", "[[She Bop]]", and "[[All Through the Night (Jules Shear song)#Cyndi Lauper version|All Through the Night]]"—and earned Lauper the [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] award at the [[27th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 1985. The music video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" won the [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video Award]] at the inaugural [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards]] and has been recognized by [[MTV]], [[VH1]] and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' as one of the greatest music videos of the era.<ref name=rsv>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1993/rsvideo.htm |title=Rolling Stone: 'The 100 Top Music Videos' |website=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="The Sexy Feminist">{{cite web |first= Heather |last= Wood Rudolph |url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130518000747/http://sexyfeminist.com/2013/01/29/feminist-history-in-song-cyndi-laupers-girls-just-want-to-have-fun/| archive-date= May 18, 2013 |url=http://sexyfeminist.com/2013/01/29/feminist-history-in-song-cyndi-laupers-girls-just-want-to-have-fun/ |title=Feminist History in Song: Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' |work=The Sexy Feminist blog |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=mtv1>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/mtv100.htm |title=MTV: '100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made'| website=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=vh1v>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2001/vh1videos.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Videos |website=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> Her second studio album, ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]'' (1986), scored two more top-five hits; [[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|the title track]] and "[[Change of Heart (Cyndi Lauper song)|Change of Heart]]". Lauper's chart success continued with the singles "[[The Goonies 'R' Good Enough]]" (1985), "[[I Drove All Night#Cyndi Lauper version|I Drove All Night]]" (1989) and into the 2000s with multiple number one hits on the Hot Dance Club Play charts, "Same Ol' Story,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Same+Ol%27+Story+by+Cyndi+Lauper&id=95616#gsc.tab=0|title=Same Ol' Story (song by Cyndi Lauper)|website=Musicvf.com|access-date=November 14, 2025}}</ref> and, "Into the Nightlife" (2008).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Into+the+Nightlife+by+Cyndi+Lauper&id=95617#gsc.tab=0|title=Into the Nightlife (song by Cyndi Lauper)|website=Musicvf.com|access-date=November 14, 2025}}</ref>

Since 1983, Lauper has released twelve studio albums and participated in many other projects. In 2010, ''[[Memphis Blues (album)|Memphis Blues]]'' became ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} most successful blues album of the year, remaining at number one on the ''Billboard'' Blues Albums chart for 13 consecutive weeks. In 2013, she won the [[Tony Award for Best Original Score]] for composing the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots]]'', making her the first woman to win the category by herself.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tony Award Nominees |url=http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html |website=[[Tony Awards]] |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The musical was awarded five other Tonys, including [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]. In 2014, Lauper was awarded the [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album]] for [[Kinky Boots (Broadway cast album)|the cast recording]]. In 2016, the [[West End theatre|West End]] production won the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2016/04/kinky-boots-in-the-heights-judi-dench-olivier-awards-1201731314/ |title=London Loves Lin-Manuel Miranda Too (and 'Kinky Boots' & Judi Dench) – Olivier Awards |first=Jeremy |last=Gerard |date=April 4, 2016 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref>

Lauper's [[List of awards and nominations received by Cyndi Lauper|accolades]] include two [[Grammy Awards]], a [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]], a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]], three [[MTV Video Music Awards]], four [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], two [[American Music Awards]] and a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. She is one of the few singers to win three of the four major American entertainment awards ([[EGOT]]). In 2015, she was inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]. Lauper was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2025.<ref name="rr25">{{cite web |title=The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation unveils electrifying class of 2025 inductees |url=https://rockhall.com/press-release/the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-foundation-unveils-electrifying-class-of-2025-inductees/ |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> Her debut studio album ranked among ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} list of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/rs500albums1.htm |title=Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums| website= Rockonthenet.com| access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> while "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" was included in [[VH1]]'s list of the 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 years.<ref name=vh125>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/vh125songs.htm |title=VH1's Best Songs of the Past 25 years |website=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> [[VH1]] has ranked Lauper number 58 of the ''100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll''.<ref name="rockonthenet1999">{{cite web|url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/vh1women.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll |website= Rockonthenet.com|access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref>

== Life and career ==
=== 1953–1979: Early life ===
Lauper was born in [[Brooklyn]], New York City,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/archive/peoplearchive.php/Cyndi_Lauper/biography/|title=Cyndi Lauper Biography|work=Monsters and Critics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829165412/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/archive/peoplearchive.php/Cyndi_Lauper/biography/|archive-date=August 29, 2009}}</ref> to a Catholic family. Her father, Fred, was of Swiss-German descent, and a descendant of Christen Lauper, a leader of the [[Swiss peasant war of 1653]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots/watch/episodes/far-from-home | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124102453/https://www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots/watch/episodes/far-from-home | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 24, 2023 | title=Far from Home | publisher=[[PBS]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/cyndi-lauper-swiss-rebel-ancestor-finding-your-roots-rcna66678 | title=Cyndi Lauper learns she's descended from a Swiss rebel who 'fought the man' like she does|website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] | date=January 24, 2023 }}</ref> Her mother, Catrine ({{née|Gallo}}; 1930–2022),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/music/cyndi-lauper-mother-catrine-dead-age-91/|title=Cyndi Lauper's Mother Catrine, Who Appeared in the 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' Music Video, Dead at 91|last=Irvin|first=Jack|date=June 2, 2022|website=[[People (magazine)|People.com]]}}</ref> was of Italian ([[Sicilians|Sicilian]]) descent. Lauper's siblings are her younger brother Fred (nicknamed Butch), and older sister Ellen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_8_31/ai_77336634|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050327093520/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_8_31/ai_77336634|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 27, 2005|title=Cyndi Lauper – and Lou Reed.}}</ref> Lauper's parents divorced when she was five.<ref name=biocom>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/cyndi-lauper-17169536 |title=Cyndi Lauper Biography |website=Biography.com |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> Her mother remarried and divorced again.<ref name="cyndilaupersite.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cyndilaupersite.com/|title=Cyndi Lauper – Photos, Videos, Music, Biography|website=Cyndilaupersite.com|access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref>

Lauper grew up in the [[Ozone Park]]<ref name="WETV">{{cite web|publisher=[[We TV]]|date=November 19, 2012|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Cyndi Lauper|url=http://www.wetv.com/cyndi/articles/10-things-you-didn%E2%80%99t-know-about-cyndi-lauper|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924040830/http://www.wetv.com/cyndi/articles/10-things-you-didn%E2%80%99t-know-about-cyndi-lauper|archive-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> neighborhood of [[Queens]] and, as a child, listened to such artists as [[the Beatles]] and [[Judy Garland]]. At age 12, she began writing songs and playing an acoustic guitar given to her by her sister.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyndi Lauper: two decades after blazing the way for a generation of female pop singers, the original day-glo diva is reigniting her career with a collection of songs as colorful as she is.(Interview)|author=McDonnell, Evelyn|date=December 1, 2003|publisher=[[Peter Brant#Brant Publications.2C Inc.|Brant Publications, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/21911/20150804/50-interesting-things-singer-cyndi-lauper.htm|title=50 interesting facts about singer Cyndi Lauper|date=August 4, 2015|website=BOOMSbeat|access-date=February 28, 2016 |last1=Hrabkovska |first1=Silvia }}</ref>

Lauper expressed herself with a variety of hair colors and eccentric clothing,<ref name="auto"/> and took a friend's advice to spell her name as "Cyndi" rather than "Cindy". Her unconventional sense of style led to classmates bullying and throwing stones at her.<ref name="WETV"/>

Lauper went to [[Richmond Hill High School (Queens)|Richmond Hill High School]], but was expelled<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 30, 2012|title=Sunday Book Review – Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/books/review/cyndi-lauper-a-memoir.html}}</ref> although she later earned her [[General Educational Development]] (GED).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://adulted.about.com/od/gettingyourged/tp/25-More-Celebrity-Dropouts-Who-Earned-A-Ged-List-No-2.htm|title = Celebrity Dropouts Who Earned a GED, List number 2|publisher = [[Dotdash Meredith]] |access-date = February 28, 2016|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235914/http://adulted.about.com/od/gettingyourged/tp/25-More-Celebrity-Dropouts-Who-Earned-A-Ged-List-No-2.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://lyrics.songonlyrics.net/cyndi-lauper-biography|title = Cyndi Lauper Biography|website=Song On Lyrics|date = January 12, 2012|access-date = February 28, 2016}}</ref> She ran away from home at 17 to escape her abusive stepfather,<ref name="WETV"/> intending to study art. Her journey took her to Canada, where she spent two weeks in the woods with her dog Sparkle, trying to find herself.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/article/cyndi-lauper-says-she-once-hitchhiked-300-km-to-algonquin-park/|title=Cyndi Lauper says she once hitchhiked 300 km to Algonquin Park|last=Ahearn|first=Victoria|date=June 11, 2015|agency=[[CTV News]]|access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref> She eventually traveled to [[Vermont]], where she took art classes at [[Johnson State College]] and supported herself working odd jobs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dream-girl-19840524?page=3|title = Cyndi Lauper: Dream Girl|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|access-date = February 28, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170203165523/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dream-girl-19840524?page=3|archive-date = February 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bornrich.com/cyndi-lauper.html|title = Cyndi Lauper – Bornrich|website = Bornrich.com|date = September 17, 2013|language = en-US|access-date = February 28, 2016|archive-date = March 5, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305194527/http://www.bornrich.com/cyndi-lauper.html|url-status = usurped}}</ref><ref name="Commencement">{{cite news  |date=March 25, 2019 |title=Cyndi Lauper to give commencement address at Northern Vermont University-Johnson |url=https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/25/cyndi-lauper-give-commencement-address-northern-vermont-university-johnson/ |work=[[VTDigger]] |location=Montpelier, Vermont}}</ref> In 2019, Lauper gave the commencement address at [[Northern Vermont University|Northern Vermont University – Johnson]], the academic institution that includes Johnson State. At this event, NVU bestowed upon her an [[honorary degree]] of [[Doctor of Letters]].<ref name="Commencement"/>

=== 1980–1982: Blue Angel ===
{{Main|Blue Angel (band)|l1=Blue Angel}}
In 1978, Lauper met saxophonist John Turi through her manager Ted Rosenblatt. Turi and Lauper formed a band named Blue Angel and recorded a [[Demo (music)|demo tape]] of original music. [[Steven Massarsky|Steve Massarsky]], manager of [[the Allman Brothers Band]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=Porter|title=Steve Massarsky: Starting small with BIG |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2000/CAREER/jobenvy/09/29/steve.massarsky/|website=[[CNN|cnn.com]]|publisher=Cable News Network|access-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> heard the tape and liked Lauper's voice. He bought Blue Angel's contract for $5,000 and became their manager.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dream-girl-19840524?page=4|title = Cyndi Lauper: Dream Girl|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|access-date = February 28, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170203172629/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dream-girl-19840524?page=4|archive-date = February 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Lauper received recording offers as a solo artist, but held out, wanting the band to be included in any deal she made. Blue Angel was eventually signed by [[Polydor Records]] and they released their debut and sole studio album [[Blue Angel (Blue Angel album)|''Blue Angel'']] on the label in 1980. Lauper hated the album cover, saying that it made her look like [[Big Bird]], but ''Rolling Stone'' magazine later included it as one of the 100 best [[New wave music|new wave]] album covers (2003). Despite critical acclaim, the album sold poorly ("It went lead", as Lauper later joked) and the band broke up. The members of Blue Angel had a falling-out with Massarsky and fired him as their manager. He later filed an $80,000 suit against them, which forced Lauper into bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lauper_cyndi/artist.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060416230329/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lauper_cyndi/artist.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 16, 2006|title=Cyndi Lauper|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=March 1, 2010}}</ref> After this Lauper temporarily lost her voice due to an inverted cyst in her vocal cord.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Chiu |url=https://time.com/65952/cyndi-lauper-shes-so-unusual/ |title=Cyndi Lauper's She's So Unusual Is 30: New Tour With Cher, Kinky Boots |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref>

After Blue Angel broke up, Lauper spent time, due to her financial problems, working in retail stores, waitressing at [[IHOP]] (which she quit after being demoted to hostess when the manager sexually harassed her),<ref name="WETV"/> and singing in local clubs. Her most frequent gigs were at El Sombrero.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Music critics who saw Lauper perform with Blue Angel believed she had star potential due to her four-octave singing range.<ref name="auto1"/> In 1981, while singing in a local New York bar, Lauper met David Wolff, who took over as her manager and had her sign a recording contract with [[Portrait Records]], a subsidiary of [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cyndi Lauper |url=http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-cyndi-lauper |website=Lifetime.co.uk/ |publisher=[[A&E Networks#UK history|AETN UK]] |access-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904201602/http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-cyndi-lauper |archive-date=September 4, 2014 }}</ref>

=== 1983–1985: ''She's So Unusual'' ===
{{Main|She's So Unusual}}
[[File:Cyndi Lauper - The Roanoke Times (1984).jpg|thumb|upright|Lauper performing in 1984]]
On October 14, 1983, Lauper released her debut solo studio album, ''[[She's So Unusual]]''. The album became a worldwide hit, peaking at No.&nbsp;4 in the U.S. and reaching the top five in eight other countries. The primary studio musicians were [[Eric Bazilian]] and [[Rob Hyman]] (of [[the Hooters]]), [[Rick Chertoff]], [[Richard Termini]] and Peter Wood. Lauper became popular with teenagers and critics alike, in part due to her hybrid punk image, which was crafted by stylist Patrick Lucas.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-08-vw-4846-story.html |title=Capturing Head-to-Toe Look of the '80s |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 8, 1985 |access-date=October 15, 2011 |first=Mary|last=Rourke}}</ref>

Lauper co-wrote four songs on ''She's So Unusual'', including the hits "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]" and "[[She Bop]]".  On the songs she did not write, Lauper sometimes changed the lyrics;  for instance, Lauper found the original lyrics to "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]" to be misogynistic, so she rewrote the song as an anthem for young women.<ref>{{cite news |first=Priya |last=Elan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/27/popandrock |title=Music: Priya Elan pays tribute to the man who wrote Girls Just Want To Have Fun |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=September 27, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2011 |location=[[London]]}}</ref>

The album includes five cover songs, including [[the Brains]]' new wave track "[[Money Changes Everything]]" (number 27 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100) and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s "[[When You Were Mine (Prince song)|When You Were Mine]]". The album made Lauper the first female artist to have four consecutive ''Billboard'' Hot 100 top five hits from one album. The album stayed in the Top 200 charts for more than 65 weeks, and since has sold 16 million copies worldwide.<ref name="SSU Sales">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4429585.ece |title=Cyndi Lauper is back, and the girl still wants to have fun|website=[[The Times]] |access-date=September 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205025752/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4429585.ece|archive-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="SSU SalesII">{{cite news |first=George|last=Varga |title=Cyndi Lauper still proudly 'unusual'|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Jun/07/cyndi-lauper-still-proudly-unusual/ |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

Lauper won [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] at the [[27th Annual Grammy Awards]] (1985). ''She's So Unusual'' also received nominations for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] (for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"), and [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] (for "Time After Time"). She wore almost a pound of necklaces at her award ceremony. It also won the Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Best Album Package]], which went to the art director, [[Janet Perr]].<ref>{{cite web |title = The GRAMMYs' Trailblazing Women, Part One|url = http://www.grammy.com/blogs/the-grammys-trailblazing-women-part-one |website=[[Grammy Awards|Grammy.com]]|date = December 2, 2014 |access-date =February 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Classic Album covers : She's So Unusual – Cyndi Lauper|url = https://www.nevermindthebuspass.co.uk/classic-album-covers-shes-so-unusual-cyndi-lauper/|newspaper=Never Mind the Bus Pass|access-date = February 20, 2016|language = en-us|df = mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Cyndi Lauper 1985.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Lauper in 1985]]

The music video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" won the inaugural award for Best Female Video at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, and made Lauper an MTV staple. The video featured professional wrestling [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] "Captain" [[Lou Albano]] as Lauper's father, and her real-life mother, Catrine, as her mother,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-lou-albano15-2009oct15-story.html |title=Captain Lou Albano Dies at 76; Wrestle Appeared in Cyndi Lauper Videos |date=October 15, 2009 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> and also featured her attorney, her manager, her brother Butch, and her dog Sparkle.<ref>{{cite web |title = Julio Licinio's Blog: Discovery to change your life: "Girls just want to have fun" |url = http://juliolicinio.blogspot.ca/2013/09/girls-just-want-to-have-fun.html#!/2013/09/girls-just-want-to-have-fun.html |website=Juliolicinio.blogspot.ca |access-date = February 21, 2016}}</ref> In 1984–85, Lauper appeared on the covers of the magazines ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]],'' and ''[[Newsweek]].'' She appeared twice on the cover of ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', and was named a ''[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]]'' magazine Woman of the Year in 1985.<ref>{{cite news | last = Paglia | first = Camille | title = Madonna – Finally, a Real Feminist | newspaper = The New York Times | date = December 14, 1990 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/14/opinion/madonna-finally-a-real-feminist.html | access-date = May 4, 2013}}</ref>

In 1985, Lauper participated in USA for Africa's famine-relief fund-raising single "[[We Are the World]]", which sold more than 20 million copies since then.<ref>Matera, Joe. "'We Are the World': 25 Years Later". ''[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]]''. (February 12, 2010): pp. 28–31.</ref>

Lauper appeared with professional wrestler [[Hulk Hogan]], who was cast as her "bodyguard" and would also later make many appearances as herself in a number of the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]]'s "[[1980s professional wrestling boom#Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection|Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection]]" events, and after making her debut in the World Wrestling Federation in June 1984, became [[Wendi Richter]]'s manager. Half a year after Captain Lou Albano appeared in the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" music video, an [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] developed where Lauper feuded with the [[sexism|sexist]] Albano,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-name-on-the-marquee-wwf-championship-wrestling-07-21-1984/|title=The Name on the Marquee: WWF Championship Wrestling (07.21.1984)|first=Adam|last=Nedeff|publisher=411 Mania|date=October 13, 2013|access-date=September 11, 2025}}</ref> and managed Richter when she defeated Albano's choice [[The Fabulous Moolah]] for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWF Women's Championship]] at the ''[[The Brawl to End It All]]'', which was broadcast live on [[MTV]] on July 23, 1984.<ref>Shields, Brian. ''Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s'', p.87.</ref> By the end of 1984, the storyline feud between Lauper and Albano was dropped when Albano turned [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]], with Albano even becoming more friendly towards Lauper.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jmgqSGtWxc|title=Dick Clark presents Cyndi Lauper with an award in Madison Square Garden|via=YouTube|access-date=September 11, 2025}}</ref> In spite of this, Lauper still continued to make some appearances at WWF shows as Richter's manager during Richter's 1984-1985 WWF run, including at [[WrestleMania I|the inaugural WrestleMania event]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ellison |first=Lillian |title=The Fabulous Moolah: First Goddess of the Squared Circle |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-06-001258-8 |publisher=[[ReganBooks]] |page=170}}</ref> Dave Wolff, Lauper's boyfriend and manager at the time, was a wrestling fan as a boy, and engineered the rock and wrestling connection.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com/lauper.html|title = Cindi Lauper interview Rock N Roll Wrestling |website =Australiansportsentertainment.com|access-date = February 28, 2016}}</ref> [[Salt Lake City]] radio station [[KUUU|92.5 The Beat]] has described Lauper, who was instrumental in the WWF's early ties to MTV, as having helped put the WWF "on the Map" and for having "a key role in launching WWF into the mainstream."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://u92slc.com/life/how-cyndi-lauper-kicked-pop-into-the-wwf/|title=How Cyndi Lauper Kicked Pop into the WWF|first=Talmage|last=Garn|publisher=92.5 The Beat|date=March 11, 2025|access-date=September 11, 2025}}</ref>

In May 1985, Lauper released the single "[[The Goonies 'R' Good Enough]]," from the [[The Goonies: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|soundtrack]] to the film ''[[The Goonies]],'' and an accompanying music video which featured several wrestling stars, [[Steven Spielberg]], the majority of ''The Goonies'' cast, and the then relatively unknown [[the Bangles|Bangles]]. The song peaked at number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/299876/cyndi-lauper/chart|title = Cyndi Lauper – Chart history {{!}} Billboard|magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|access-date = February 28, 2016|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223716/http://www.billboard.com/artist/299876/cyndi-lauper/chart|url-status = dead}}</ref>

However, Wendi Richter, and with her Lauper, would cease making more frequent appearances in the WWF when Richter lost the Women's Championship in a controversial match with The Fabulous Moolah in October 1985 which saw a real life "[[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#S|screwjob]]" finish.<ref>{{cite video |people=Richter, Wendi and Mark Nulty |title=Wendi Richter Shoot Interview |medium=DVD |publisher=HighSpots}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Graham | last=Cawthon | title=the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 1: WWF 1963–1989  | publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | year= 2013 | isbn=978-1492825975}}</ref>

=== 1986–1988: ''True Colors'' and ''Vibes'' ===
Lauper received a nomination at the [[28th Annual Grammy Awards|1986 Grammy Awards]]: [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Female Rock Vocal Performance]] for "What a Thrill," another in the same category the following year (for the album track "911") and yet another in 1988, [[Grammy Award for Best Music Film|Best Long Form Music Video]] for ''Cyndi Lauper in Paris''.<ref>[http://www.awardsandshows.com/ Grammy Awards 1986], Awards & Shows.</ref>

Lauper released her second studio album, ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]'' in 1986. It entered the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] at No.&nbsp;42 and rose to its number 4 peak.<ref name="True Colors Billboard 200">{{cite magazine |title=Billboard 200, The Week of October 4, 1986 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1986-10-04 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=April 21, 2019}}</ref>

In 1986, Lauper appeared on [[Billy Joel]]'s tenth studio album ''[[The Bridge (Billy Joel album)|The Bridge]]'', with a song called "Code of Silence". She is credited as having written the lyrics with Joel and she sings harmony vocals with him. In the same year, Lauper also sang the [[Theme music|theme song]] for the children's television series ''[[Pee-wee's Playhouse]]'', credited as "Ellen Shaw". In 1987, David Wolff produced a concert film for Lauper called ''Cyndi Lauper in Paris''. The concert was broadcast on [[HBO]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://bastetglasba.blogspot.ca/2010/06/blue-angelcyndi-lauper.html |title=Bastet Glasba: Blue Angel/Cyndi Lauper |website=bastetglasba.blogspot.ca |date=June 22, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>

Lauper made her film debut in August 1988 in the quirky comedy ''[[Vibes (film)|Vibes]]'', alongside [[Jeff Goldblum]], [[Peter Falk]], and [[Julian Sands]]. Lauper played a psychic in search of a city of gold in South America. Deborah Blum and Tony Ganz produced the film, with David Wolff as associate producer. To prepare for the role, Lauper took a few classes in [[Finger wave|finger waving]] and hair setting at the Robert Fiancé School of Beauty in New York, and studied with a few Manhattan psychics. The film flopped and was poorly received by critics, but would later be considered a [[Cult following|cult classic]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.filmbug.com/db/1180 |title=Cyndi Lauper – Filmbug |website=Filmbug.com |access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://lyrics.songonlyrics.net/cyndi-lauper-biography |title=Cyndi Lauper Biography |website=Lyrics.songonlyrics.net|date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>

Lauper contributed a track called "[[Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China)]]" for the ''Vibes'' soundtrack, but the song was not included. A music video was released, a high energy, comic action/adventure romp through a Chinese laundry. The song reached No.&nbsp;54 on the US charts,<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-hot-100|title=Top 100 Songs {{!}} Billboard Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> but fared better in Australia, reaching No.&nbsp;8.<ref name="ARIA Charts">{{cite web | author=Australian Charts | title=Australian Charts | publisher=[[ARIA Charts]] |date=1988 | url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Cyndi+Lauper&titel=Hole+In+My+Heart+%28All+The+Way+To+China%29&cat=s | access-date=February 5, 2012}}</ref>

=== 1989–1992: ''A Night to Remember'' and marriage ===
''[[A Night to Remember (Cyndi Lauper album)|A Night to Remember]]'' – Lauper's third studio album – was released on May 9, 1989. The album had one U.S. hit, the No.&nbsp;6 single "[[I Drove All Night#Cyndi Lauper version|I Drove All Night]]", originally recorded by [[Roy Orbison]] in 1987, though Lauper's version came out first, and Orbison's version was not released until 1991. Lauper received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the [[32nd Annual Grammy Awards|1990 Grammy Awards]] for "I Drove All Night", but overall album sales for ''A Night to Remember'' were down. The music video for the album's song "[[My First Night Without You]]" was one of the first to be closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-08-10/features/8902250169_1_captioning-videos-closed-captioned-deaf-community |title=Videos Closed-captioned – Sun Sentinel |website=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=August 10, 1989 |access-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220061405/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-08-10/features/8902250169_1_captioning-videos-closed-captioned-deaf-community |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Due to a friendship with [[Yoko Ono]], Lauper took part in the May 1990 [[John Lennon]] tribute concert in [[Liverpool]], performing the Beatles song "[[Hey Bulldog]]", and the John Lennon song "[[Working Class Hero]]".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2005/12/06/lennon_anniversary_feature.shtml |title=Liverpool – Beatles – Lennon remembered |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=May 20, 2008 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> She also took part in Ono and Lennon's son [[Sean Lennon|Sean]]'s project called the Peace Choir, performing a new version of Lennon's "[[Give Peace a Chance]]".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyzSk8HVZTc&list=PL242CC9D560F594C5&index=1 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/JyzSk8HVZTc| archive-date=October 28, 2021|title=Peace Choir Give Peace a Chance |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2020}}

[[File:David Thornton, Cyndi Lauper on RealTVfilms.jpg|thumb|Husband David Thornton, Lauper at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] in 2009]]
On November 24, 1991, Lauper married actor [[David Thornton (actor)|David Thornton]].<ref name=Independent>{{cite news |last=Neustatter |first=Angela |title=How We Met: 41. David Thornton and Cyndi Lauper |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-41-david-thornton-and-cyndi-lauper-1531454.html |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=December 14, 2012 |date=July 5, 1992 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328093844/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-41-david-thornton-and-cyndi-lauper-1531454.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also that year she starred in the comedy mystery film ''[[Off and Running]]'' with [[David Keith (actor)|David Keith]].

=== 1993–1995: ''Hat Full of Stars'' and ''Twelve Deadly Cyns'' ===
Lauper's fourth studio album ''[[Hat Full of Stars]]'' was released on May 21, 1993, and was met with critical acclaim, but failed commercially, unsupported by her label. The album, which tackled such topics as [[homophobia]], [[domestic violence]], racism, and abortion sold fewer than 120,000 copies in the United States and peaked at No.&nbsp;112 on the ''Billboard'' charts.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= {{BillboardURLbyName |artist=cyndi lauper |bio=true}} |title=– quote: "Hat Full of Stars&nbsp;... The record stiffed, peaking at 112 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref> The music video for the album's song "[[Sally's Pigeons]]" features the then-unknown [[Julia Stiles]] as the young Cyndi.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pringle|first=Gill|title=A Stiles of her own|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10464097|access-date=March 10, 2014|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=September 17, 2007}}</ref>

In 1993, Lauper returned to acting, playing [[Michael J. Fox]]'s ditzy secretary in the poorly received comedy flop film ''[[Life with Mikey]]''. However, she won an [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series|Emmy Award]] for her guest role as Marianne Lugasso in the television sitcom ''[[Mad About You]]''.<ref name="emmy">{{cite web |url= http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/cyndi-lauper |title=Cyndi Lauper &#124; Television Academy |website=[[Emmy Awards|Emmys.com]] |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref>

=== 1996–2000: Motherhood, ''Sisters of Avalon'' and ''Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life'' ===
[[File:Cyndi blue hair 2000.jpg|thumb|left|Lauper performing in 2000]]
On November 19, 1997, aged 44, Lauper gave birth to her son, [[Declyn Wallace Lauper Thornton]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Public Lives; In Their Words | first = James| last = Barron| author-link = James Barron (journalist)| author2 = Phoebe Hoban |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/28/nyregion/public-lives-in-their-words.html?scp=2&sq=cyndi+lauper&st=nyt| newspaper = The New York Times | date = January 28, 1998| access-date = May 9, 2010 }}</ref> Her fifth studio album, ''[[Sisters of Avalon]]'', was released in Japan in October 1996, and elsewhere in April 1997. The album was written and produced with the help of Jan Pulsford (Lauper's keyboardist) and producer Mark Saunders. As in ''Hat Full of Stars'', some of the songs in ''Sisters of Avalon'' addressed dark themes. The song "[[Ballad of Cleo and Joe]]" addressed the complications of a [[drag queen]]'s double life. The song "Say a Prayer" was written for a friend of hers who had died from [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]]. "Unhook the Stars" was used in the drama film ''[[Unhook the Stars]]'' (1996). Again without support from her label, the release failed in America, spending a single week on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' album chart at No.&nbsp;188. This album also met with much critical praise, including ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine, which declared it "'90s nourishment for body and soul. Lauper sets a scene, makes us care, gives us hope."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontandcenter.com/?attachment_id=3828|title=Cyndi Lauper – Front and Center Entertainment|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521094842/https://frontandcenter.com/?attachment_id=3828|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 27, 1998, she released her sixth studio album and first Christmas album, ''[[Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life]]''. It combines original compositions by Lauper and collaborator Jan Pulsford with traditional Christmas songs. "Feels Like Christmas" previously appeared on Lauper's studio album ''Hat Full of Stars'' (1993).

On January 17, 1999, Lauper appeared as an animated version of herself in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Wild Barts Can't Be Broken]]", singing "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" to the melody of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". That same year, Lauper opened for [[Cher]]'s [[Do You Believe? (tour)|Do You Believe? Tour]] alongside the girl group [[Wild Orchid (group)|Wild Orchid]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Cyndi Lauper|author2=Jancee Dunn|title=Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NtorDgAAQBAJ|date=February 28, 2017|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=978-1-4391-4789-4|chapter=13|pages=236, 243}}</ref> She also appeared in the films ''[[Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle]]'' (1994) and ''[[The Opportunists]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss082/movies.htm |title=The Vibe starring Cyndi Lauper |access-date=May 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114091909/http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss082/movies.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She contributed to the soundtrack of the animated comedy film, ''[[Rugrats in Paris: The Movie]]'' (2000), performing the song "I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever".

=== 2001–2004: ''Shine'' and ''At Last'' ===
On October 12, 2000, Lauper took part in the television show ''Women in Rock, Girls with Guitars'' performing with [[Ann Wilson]] of [[Heart (band)|Heart]] and with the girl group, [[Destiny's Child]]. A CD of the songs performed was released exclusively to [[Sears]] stores from September 30 to October 31, 2001, and was marketed as a fundraiser for [[breast cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/destinys-child-and-cyndi-lauper-perform-live-at-women-rock-news-photo/2246727#destinys-child-and-cyndi-lauper-perform-live-at-women-rock-girls-at-picture-id2246727 |title=Women Rock! |website=[[Getty Images]]|date=July 29, 2003 |access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2002, [[Sony Music|Sony]] issued a compilation album, ''[[The Essential Cyndi Lauper]]''. Lauper also released a cover album with Sony/[[Epic Records]] entitled ''[[At Last (Cyndi Lauper album)|At Last]]'' (formerly ''Naked City''), which was released in November 2003. ''At Last'' received one nomination at the [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005 Grammy Awards]]: [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals|Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)]], for "[[Unchained Melody]]". The effort was also a commercial hit, selling 4.5 million records<ref name="thebiographychannel.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/cyndi-lauper.html |title=Biography: Cyndi Lauper Lifetime |website=Thebiographychannel.co.uk |access-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329093729/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/cyndi-lauper.html |archive-date=March 29, 2014 }}</ref>

In April 2004, Lauper performed during the [[VH1]]'s benefit concert ''[[VH1 Divas#VH1 Divas 2004|Divas 2004]]'' alongside [[Ashanti (singer)|Ashanti]], [[Gladys Knight]], [[Jessica Simpson]], [[Joss Stone]] and [[Patti LaBelle]], in support of the [[Save the Music Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morales |first=Tatiana |date=April 15, 2004 |title=Patti LaBelle: Top 'Diva' |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/patti-labelle-top-diva/ |access-date=July 28, 2025 |work=CBS News}}</ref>

=== 2005–2007: ''The Body Acoustic'' ===
She released her ninth studio album ''[[The Body Acoustic]]'' and made appearances on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]'s hit show ''[[Queer as Folk (2000 TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'' in 2005, directed a commercial for ''Totally 80s'' edition of the board game ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]'' in 2006, served as a judge on the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards and made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the Tony-nominated ''[[The Threepenny Opera]]'' as Jenny. She performed with [[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy]], [[Scott Weiland]] of [[Velvet Revolver]] and [[Stone Temple Pilots]], [[Pat Monahan]] of [[Train (band)|Train]], [[Ani DiFranco]], and [[the Hooters]] in the [[MTV Classic (United States)|VH1 Classic]] special ''[[Decades Rock Live!]]''. In 2006, she sang "[[Message to Michael]]" with [[Dionne Warwick]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/message-to-michael-mt0007339649|title=Message to Michael – Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick {{!}} Song Info|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref> and "Beecharmer" with [[Nellie McKay]] on McKay's second studio album, ''[[Pretty Little Head]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/pretty-little-head-mw0000573131|title=Pretty Little Head – Nellie McKay |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref>

On October 16, 2006, Lauper was inducted into [[The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.limusichalloffame.org |title=Long Island Music Hall of Fame &#124; Preserving & Celebrating the Long Island musical heritage |publisher=The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> In 2007, she served as a guest performer on the song "Lady in Pink" on an episode of the [[Nick Jr.]] show ''[[The Backyardigans]]''.

=== 2008–2009: ''Bring Ya to the Brink'' ===
[[File:Cyndi Lauper2 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Lauper performing in 2008]]
Lauper's tenth studio album, ''[[Bring Ya to the Brink]]'', was released in the United States on May 27, 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/people/cyndi-lauper|title=Cyndi Lauper|date=January 23, 2017|publisher=[[Lifetime (British and Irish TV channel)|Lifetime]]|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201080924/http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/people/cyndi-lauper|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{listen |filename=Cyndi Lauper - Into the Nightlife.ogg |title="Into the Nightlife" |description={{deletable file-caption|Sunday, 3 November 2024|PROD}} |Type=single}}
Other projects for 2008 included the True Colors Tour and a Christmas duet with Swedish rock band [[the Hives]], entitled "[[A Christmas Duel]]". The song was released as a CD single and a 7" vinyl in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |title=Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista |publisher=Sverigetopplistan |access-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226154145/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |archive-date=December 26, 2015  }}</ref> Lauper also performed on the "Girls Night Out", headlining it with [[Rosie O'Donnell]] in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cyndilauper.com/index.php?module=tour |title=Tour: Summer 2009: Girls Night Out Tour with Rosie O'Donnell |publisher=Cyndi Lauper |access-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504202130/http://www.cyndilauper.com/index.php?module=tour |archive-date=May 4, 2010 }}</ref>

In 2009, Lauper guest starred on her first of five episodes of [[Bones (TV series)|''Bones'']] on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], as psychic Avalon Harmonia.

On November 17, 2009, Lauper performed a collaborative work with Haitian rapper [[Wyclef Jean]] called "Slumdog Millionaire", performing it on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10140/title.wyclef-jean-cyndi-lauper-to-perform-on-david-letterman |title= Wyclef Jean & Cyndi Lauper To Perform On David Letterman |access-date= November 17, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091118231049/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10140/title.wyclef-jean-cyndi-lauper-to-perform-on-david-letterman |archive-date= November 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 2010–2012: ''The Celebrity Apprentice'', ''Memphis Blues'' and memoir ===
In January 2010, [[Mattel]] released a Cyndi Lauper [[Barbie]] doll as part of their "Ladies of the 80s" series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jezebel.com/5389459/barbie-doll-versions-of-joan-jett-debbie-harry-and-cyndi-lauper-arriving-in-december |title=Barbie Doll Versions Of Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, And Cyndi Lauper Arriving In December |first=Hortense |last=Smith |website=[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]] |date=October 25, 2009 |access-date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=June 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608004824/http://jezebel.com/5389459/barbie-doll-versions-of-joan-jett-debbie-harry-and-cyndi-lauper-arriving-in-december |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2010, Lauper appeared on [[NBC]]'s [[The Apprentice (American TV series) season 9|''The Celebrity Apprentice'']], coming in sixth place.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/05/10/celebrity-apprentice-recap-cyndi-lauper/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628030442/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/05/10/celebrity-apprentice-recap-cyndi-lauper/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |title='The Celebrity Apprentice' Recap: Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Catch Up With Her |agency=MTV Newsroom |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=April 19, 2014 }}</ref>

''[[Memphis Blues (album)|Memphis Blues]]''—Lauper's eleventh studio album—was released on June 22, 2010, and debuted on the ''Billboard'' Blues Albums chart at number one, and at number 26 on the ''Billboard'' Top 200. The album remained number one on the Blues Albums chart for 14 consecutive weeks; ''Memphis Blues'' was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album|Best Traditional Blues Album]] at the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards|2011 Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highlineballroom.com/show/2013/12/09/front-center-with-cyndi-lauper/ |title=Front & Center with Cyndi Lauper – Highline Ballroom |publisher=[[Highline Ballroom]] |access-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909043934/http://highlineballroom.com/show/2013/12/09/front-center-with-cyndi-lauper/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Lauper made international news in March 2011 for an impromptu performance of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" while waiting for a delayed flight at [[Aeroparque Jorge Newbery]] in [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina. A video was later posted on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13076997 |title=Cyndi Lauper Cheers Stuck Travelers in Argentina |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/08/watch-cyndi-laupers-impromptu-airport-performance-of-girls-just-wanna-have-fun/ |title=Watch Cyndi Laupers impromptu airport performance of girls just wanna have fun |magazine=Time |date=March 8, 2011}}</ref>

In November 2011, she released two Christmas singles exclusive to [[iTunes]]. The first release was a Blues-inspired cover of [[Elvis Presley]]'s classic "[[Blue Christmas (song)|Blue Christmas]]", and the second was a new version of "[[Home for the Holidays (song)|Home for the Holidays]]", a duet with [[Norah Jones]]. In June 2012, Lauper made her first appearance for [[WWE]] in 27 years, to promote ''[[WWE Raw]]'''s 1000th episode to memorialize "Captain" [[Lou Albano]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/rowdy-roddy-piper-talks-about-his-rock-n-wrestling-reunion-with-cyndi-lauper-wwe-26031884 |title="Rowdy" Roddy Piper talks about his "Rock 'N' Wrestling" reunion with Cyndi Lauper: WWE.com Exclusive |publisher=[[WWE]] |access-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022001347/http://www.wwe.com/videos/rowdy-roddy-piper-talks-about-his-rock-n-wrestling-reunion-with-cyndi-lauper-wwe-26031884 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In September 2012, Lauper performed at fashion designer [[Betsey Johnson]]'s 40 year Retrospective Fashion show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leung |first=Mariana |url= http://www.msfabulous.com/2012/09/betsey-johnson-and-cyndi-lauper-ny.html |title=Betsey Johnson and Cyndi Lauper – NY Fashion Week fashion design, indie clothing, style, beauty |publisher=Ms. Fabulous |date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> That month Lauper also published her memoir ''Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir'', in which she detailed her struggle with childhood abuse and depression.<ref name="The New York Times" />

=== 2013–2015: ''Kinky Boots'' and touring ===
Lauper composed music and lyrics for the Broadway musical ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots]]'', with [[Harvey Fierstein]] writing the book. The musical was based on the British comedy-drama film ''[[Kinky Boots (film)|Kinky Boots]]'' (2005). It opened in [[Chicago]] in October 2012<ref>''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', May 18, 2012.</ref> and on Broadway at the [[Al Hirschfeld Theatre]] on April 4, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kinkybootsthemusical.com/ |title=Kinky Boots – Official Broadway Site |website=Kinkybootsthemusical.com |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> In May, she won Best Score for ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots]]'' at the 63rd annual [[Outer Critics Circle Awards]].<ref name="dispatch.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/169454/pippin-kinky-boots-vanya-lead-winners-list-for-2013-outer-critics-circle-awards/ |title=Pippin, Kinky Boots & Vanya Lead Winners' List for 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards |date=May 13, 2013 |website=[[John Gore Organization#Assets|Broadway.com]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The musical led the [[67th Tony Awards|2013 Tony Awards]], with 13 nominations and six wins including [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor]]. She won the award for [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]].<ref name="upi.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/06/09/Cyndi-Lauper-wins-big-at-the-Tony-Awards/9821370827500/ |title=Cyndi Lauper wins Tony for Best Original Score |publisher=[[United Press International]] |date=June 13, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Lauper was the first woman to win solo in this category. After a six-year run and 2,507 regular shows, ''Kinky Boots'' ended its Broadway run on April 7, 2019. It is the 25th-longest-running Broadway musical in history. It grossed $297 million on Broadway.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/tony-awards-2013-nominations-live-blog/ | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | first=Patrick | last=Healy | title='Kinky Boots' Leads With 13 Tony Nominations; Tom Hanks Gets Nod for 'Lucky Guy' | date=April 30, 2013}}</ref>

In the summer of 2013, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her debut studio album ''She's So Unusual'', Lauper embarked on an international tour covering America and Australia. The show consisted of a mix of fan favorites and the entirety of the ''She's So Unusual'' album. She was a guest on 36 dates of [[Cher]]'s [[Dressed to Kill Tour (Cher)|Dressed to Kill Tour]], starting April 23, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cher.com/news/cher-confirms-cyndi-lauper-special-guest-her-upcoming-dressed-kill-tour-wwhl-andy-cohen-18326 |title=Official Website &#124; Cher Confirms Cyndi Lauper As Special Guest On Her Upcoming Dressed To Kill Tour. On Wwhl With Andy Cohen |publisher=[[Cher]] |date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219040415/http://www.cher.com/news/cher-confirms-cyndi-lauper-special-guest-her-upcoming-dressed-kill-tour-wwhl-andy-cohen-18326 |archive-date=February 19, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinnaclebankarena.com/tickets/events.html/event/2014/05/30/cher-br-d2k-tour-2014-with-special-guest-cyndi-lauper |title=Cher 'D2K Tour 2014' with special guest Cyndi Lauper |publisher=[[Pinnacle Bank Arena]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140818192428/http://www.pinnaclebankarena.com/tickets/events.html/event/2014/05/30/cher-br-d2k-tour-2014-with-special-guest-cyndi-lauper |archive-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> A new studio album was confirmed by Lauper on a website interview.<ref>{{cite news |last=Omar |first=Aref |url=http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/tech/showbiz-days-with-cyndi-lauper-1.356540 |title=SHOWBIZ: Days with Cyndi Lauper |newspaper=[[New Straits Times]] |date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202231943/http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/tech/showbiz-days-with-cyndi-lauper-1.356540 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 }}</ref>

Lauper hosted the Grammy Pre-Telecast at the [[Peacock Theater|Nokia Theatre]] in [[Los Angeles]] on Jan 26,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-pre-telecast-performers-presenters-announced|title=GRAMMY Pre-Telecast Performers, Presenters Announced|publisher=Grammy Awards|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> where she later accepted a Grammy for ''Kinky Boots'' (Best Musical Theater Album).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/videos/kinky-boots-wins-best-musical-theater-album|title="Kinky Boots" Wins Best Musical Theater Album|publisher=Grammy Awards|date=January 26, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref>

On April 1 (March 1 in Europe), Lauper released the 30th Anniversary edition of ''She's So Unusual'' through Epic Records<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/cyndi-lauper-interview-shes-still-having-fun-9235643.html|title=Cyndi Lauper interview: She's still having fun|newspaper=The Independent|date=April 4, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> It featured a [[remaster]]ed version of the original album plus three new remixes. The Deluxe Edition featured bonus tracks such as demos and a live recording as well as a 3D cut-out of the bedroom featured in the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" music video with a reusable sticker set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cyndilauper.com/news/#/news-story/cyndi-lauper-celebrates-her-record-breaking-debut-album-with-shes-so-unusual-a-30th-anniversary-celebration/|title=News – Cyndi Lauper|website=Cyndilauper.com|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-date=October 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001154844/http://cyndilauper.com/news/#/news-story/cyndi-lauper-celebrates-her-record-breaking-debut-album-with-shes-so-unusual-a-30th-anniversary-celebration/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 17, 2014, Lauper sang on the finale of ''[[America's Got Talent]]''.<ref name="WETV"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/america-talent-finale-adds-cyndi-lauper-travis-barker-article-1.1941021|title='America's Got Talent' finale adds Cyndi Lauper, Travis Barker to celebrity line-up |work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=September 16, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> On September 25, as part of ''[[Today (American TV program)|The Today Show]]'''s Shine a Light series, Lauper re-recorded "[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|True Colors]]" in a mashup with [[Sara Bareilles]]' "[[Brave (Sara Bareilles song)|Brave]]" to raise awareness and money for children battling cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/news/watch-hoda-kotb-sara-bareilles-cyndi-lauper-fight-pediatric-cancer-2D80172642|title=Watch: Hoda Kotb, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper fight pediatric cancer with "Truly Brave' music video|date=September 25, 2014|first=Robin|last=Sindler|work=Today}}</ref> By October the project had raised over $300,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crowdrise.com/hoda|title=Hoda Kotb's Fundraiser on CrowdRise|website=[[Crowdrise|Crowdrise.com]]}}</ref>

The [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] included Lauper in its nomination list in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songhall.org/news/entry/songwriters_hall_of_fame_2014_nominees_for_induction_announced|title=SongHall – Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2014 Nominees For Induction Announced|website=[[Songwriters Hall of Fame|Songhall.org]]}}</ref> Also during October, Lauper's fourth consecutive 'Home for the Holidays' benefit concert for [[Homelessness|homeless]] gay youth was announced. Acts included [[50 Cent]] and [[Laverne Cox]] with 100% of the net proceeds going to [[True Colors United]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-cent-laverne-cox-join-cyndi-lauper-to-help-lgbt-youth-20141022|author=Daniel Kreps|title=50 Cent, Laverne Cox Join Cyndi Lauper to Help LGBT Youth|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729085533/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/50-cent-laverne-cox-join-cyndi-lauper-to-help-lgbt-youth-20141022|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2015, Lauper once again guest starred on the crime show ''Bones'' as Avalon Harmonia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2015/03/bones-round-table-cyndi-lauper-and-body-stew/|title=Bones|work=TV Fanatic|date=March 30, 2015}}</ref>

Lauper promoted her work with [[Novartis]] and the [[National Psoriasis Foundation]], and discussed her own five years with [[psoriasis]], on ''[[Today (American TV program)|The Today Show]]'' in July 2015. She also announced a project with producer [[Seymour Stein]], which she later told ''Rolling Stone'' was a country album coproduced by [[Tony Brown (record producer)|Tony Brown]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/hear-cyndi-lauper-cover-dolly-partons-hard-candy-christmas-20151208|title=Hear Cyndi Lauper Cover Dolly Parton's 'Hard Candy Christmas'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 8, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826073724/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/hear-cyndi-lauper-cover-dolly-partons-hard-candy-christmas-20151208|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 15, 2015, ''Kinky Boots'' opened at the [[Adelphi Theatre]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/kinky-boots.html#:~:text=Kinky%20Boots%20transferred%20to%20the,opened%20on%20September%2015%2C%202015 |title=Kinky Boots Stage Production Notes |website=Filmed Live Musicals |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

On August 30, 2017, songwriters [[Benny Mardones]] and [[Robert Tepper]] sued Lauper for lifting elements from their 1980 song "[[Into the Night (Benny Mardones song)|Into the Night]]" for ''Kinky Boots''{{'}} final song "Raise You Up".<ref>{{cite court|litigants=''Benny Mardones, et al. v. Cyndi Lauper, et al.''|court=S.D.N.Y.|date=August 28, 2017|url=https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/blogs.law.gwu.edu/dist/a/4/files/2019/09/Benny_Mardones_et_al_v._Cyndi.pdf|access-date=July 28, 2025}}</ref> In August 2019, a filed letter by Mardones' lawyer stated that all parties involved have agreed in principle to settle the case. No more details were given at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/08/12/cyndi-lauper-kinky-boots-lawsuit/|title=Cyndi Lauper Settles Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over 'Kinky Boots'|website=[[Digital Music News|Digitalmusicnews.com]]|date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

=== 2016–2019: ''Detour''===
In January 2016, Lauper announced she would release a new studio album on May 6, 2016. This was composed of her interpretations of early country classics entitled [[Detour (Cyndi Lauper album)|''Detour'']].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-cyndi-laupers-rockabilly-take-on-heartaches-by-the-number-20160128|title=Hear Cyndi Lauper's Rockabilly Take on 'Heartaches by the Number'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Jon |last=Freeman|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=October 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029145807/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-cyndi-laupers-rockabilly-take-on-heartaches-by-the-number-20160128|url-status=dead}}</ref> The announcement was supported by a release of her version of [[Harlan Howard]]'s "[[Heartaches by the Number]]" and a performance on ''Skyville Live'' with [[Kelsea Ballerini]] and [[Ingrid Michaelson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countryweekly.com/news/skyville-live-shines-again-cyndi-lauper-kelsea-ballerini-and-ingrid-michaelson|title=Skyville Live Shines Again With Cyndi Lauper, Kelsea Ballerini and Ingrid Michaelson|work=[[Country Weekly]]}}</ref> On February 17, 2016, she released her version of [[Wanda Jackson]]'s "[[Funnel of Love]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/cyndi-lauper-funnel-of-love-detour-country-album|title=Cyndi Lauper Goes Country on New Single 'Funnel of Love' (First Listen)|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref>

In February 2016, Lauper was nominated for an [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]] for her contribution to the UK production of ''Kinky Boots'' along with [[Stephen Oremus]], the man responsible for the arrangements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europe.newsweek.com/olivier-awards-2016-gypsy-and-kinky-boots-lead-nominations-431986?rm=eu|title=Olivier Awards 2016: 'Gypsy' and 'Kinky Boots' lead nominations|work=Newsweek Europe|date=March 2016}}</ref>  In January 2017, this production's album was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/waitress-and-bright-star-cast-albums-among-grammy-award-nominees|title=''Waitress'' and ''Bright Star'' Cast Albums Among Grammy Award Nominees|work=[[Playbill]]|first=Robert|last=Viagas|date=December 6, 2016}}</ref>

In May 2016, Lauper was featured on the song "Swipe to the Right" from ''[[Electronica 2: The Heart of Noise]]'' by French composer, performer and record producer [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]. It is the second of a two-part album (the first being ''[[Electronica 1: The Time Machine]]'') that is based around collaborations with other electronic musicians from a wide range of decades and styles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jean-Michel Jarre announces new album Electronica 2, shares Peaches collaboration — listen|url=https://consequence.net/2016/03/jean-michel-jarre-announces-new-album-electronica-2-shares-peaches-collaboration-listen//|website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence of Sound]]|date=March 11, 2016|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref>

In October 2016, her son Dex Lauper was the opening act for her [[Scottsdale, Arizona]] and [[Las Vegas]], Nevada dates on her [[Detour Tour]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/09/cyndi-lauper-country-album|title=On the Road with Cyndi Lauper: 'I Intend to Sing 'til I Die'|magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|first=Benjamin |last=Lindsay|date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

In January 2017, Lauper was featured on ''[[Austin City Limits]]''{{'}} 42nd season performing some of her classic songs alongside country tunes from ''Detour''. The episode aired on [[PBS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acltv.com/2017/01/12/cyndi-lauper-shines-in-acls-42nd-season/|title=Cyndi Lauper Shines in ACL's 42nd Season|work=[[Austin City Limits]]|date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, Lauper, together with "Time After Time" songwriter [[Rob Hyman]], contributed the track "Hero Is My Middle Name" for the musical ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|SpongeBob SquarePants]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Hero is My Middle Name - {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/hero-is-my-middle-name-mt0054717697 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2018, it was announced that Lauper and Hyman were also going to compose the score for the musical version of the romantic comedy drama film ''[[Working Girl]]'' (1988) which starred [[Harrison Ford]], [[Sigourney Weaver]], [[Joan Cusack]], and [[Melanie Griffith]]. She teamed up with Hyman because she wanted "the music to sound like the 80s". The musical was staged by Tony Award winner [[Christopher Ashley]]. A developmental production premiere of the musical is planned for the 2021/2022 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/cyndi-lauper-on-writing-the-working-girl-musical-and-what-song-will-not-be-in-the-show|title=Cyndi Lauper on Writing the Working Girl Musical and What Song Will Not Be in the Show|first=Ruthie|last=Fierberg|date=March 22, 2018|website=Playbill.com|access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/197029/bridget-carpenter-christopher-ashley-join-cyndi-lauper-on-working-girl-musical/|title=Bridget Carpenter & Christopher Ashley Join Cyndi Lauper on ''Working Girl'' Musical|first=Andy |last=Lefkowitz |website=Broadway.com|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref>

Lauper guest starred playing a lawyer in an episode of the reboot of the action drama television series ''[[Magnum P.I. (2018 TV series)|Magnum P.I.]]''. The episode, titled "Sudden Death", aired on October 22, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Mary Jane |title=Cyndi Lauper guest stars as lawyer Vanessa Nero on Magnum P.I. |url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/cyndi-lauper-guest-stars-as-lawyer-vanessa-nero-on-magnum-p-i/ |website=Monsters and Critics |date=October 22, 2018}}</ref>

On November 15, 2018, it was announced that Lauper would receive the Icon Award at the ''Billboard'''s 13th annual Women in Music Event on December 6 in [[New York City]]. According to Jason Lipshutz, ''Billboard''{{'}}s editorial director, "The entire world recognizes the power of Cyndi Lauper's pop music, and just as crucially, she has used her undeniable talent to soar beyond music, create positive change in modern society and become a true icon".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Rania |last=Aniftos |title=Janelle Monáe and Cyndi Lauper to Be Honored at Billboard's Women in Music Event |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8485053/janelle-monae-cyndi-lauper-honored-billboard-women-in-music |magazine=[[Billboarc (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

The song "Together" was featured in the Canadian animated film ''[[Racetime]]'' released in January 2019. Originally written and performed in French by Canadian singer and musician [[Dumas (musician)|Dumas]], Lauper performed the English translation in the English version of the film originally titled ''La Course des tuques''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gendron-Martin |first=Raphaël |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Cyndi Lauper en studio avec Dumas |url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/12/06/cyndi-lauper-en-studio-avec-dumas-1 |access-date=July 28, 2025 |work=TVA Nouvelles |language=fr}}</ref>

On June 26, 2019, Lauper performed at the opening ceremony of [[Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019]].<ref name="bkreader">{{Cite web |last=Leonhardt |first=Andrea |date=April 30, 2019 |title=Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Khan to Kick off WorldPride... |url=https://www.bkreader.com/2019/04/30/whoopi-goldberg-cyndi-lauper-chaka-khan-to-kick-off-worldpride-celebration-in-brooklyn/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601195047/https://www.bkreader.com/2019/04/30/whoopi-goldberg-cyndi-lauper-chaka-khan-to-kick-off-worldpride-celebration-in-brooklyn/ |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=May 24, 2019 |website=BK Reader |language=en-US}}</ref> Backed by the [[Hollywood Bowl Orchestra]], conducted by [[Thomas Wilkins (conductor)|Thomas Wilkins]], Lauper played two concerts on July 12 and 13, 2019 at the [[Hollywood Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larsen |first=Peter |date=July 10, 2019 |title=Cyndi Lauper prepares for two unusual nights at the Hollywood Bowl with a full orchestra |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/07/10/cyndi-lauper-prepares-for-two-unusual-nights-at-the-hollywood-bowl-with-a-full-orchestra/ |access-date=July 28, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Daily News}}</ref>

On September 6, 2019, the 2-disc compilation album, ''Japanese Singles Collection – Greatest Hits'' was released, nine days after its original Japanese release. It includes all of Lauper's singles released in Japan from 1983 to 1995 in chronological order. The second disc contains 26 music videos. Nine of these were available for the first time on DVD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/cyndi-lauper-greatest-hits-japanese-singles-collection-cddvd-set/|title=Cyndi Lauper / Greatest Hits: Japanese Singles Collection / CD+DVD set |website=Superdeluxeedition|date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2020}}</ref>{{update inline|date=December 2020}}

In September 2019, it was announced that Lauper would star alongside [[Jane Lynch]] in the new [[Netflix]] comedy series described as "kind of ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' for today".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jane-lynch-announces-netflix-show-cyndi-lauper-emmy-win-1239839|title=Jane Lynch Reveals Netflix Show With Cyndi Lauper Following Emmy Win|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jane-lynch-cyndi-lauper-comedy-netflix-carol-leifer-1203336611/|title=Jane Lynch, Cyndi Lauper Developing 'Golden Girls'-Style Comedy for Netflix|first1=Michael|last1=Schneider|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 16, 2019}}</ref> As of March 2025, there had not been any updates on this project.

=== 2020–present: ''Let the Canary Sing'', farewell tour, Grammy Salute, Las Vegas residency ===
On January 26, 2020, Lauper sang a chorus from the song "[[I Sing the Body Electric]]" of the soundtrack from the teen musical drama film ''[[Fame (1980 film)|Fame]]'' (1980) at the [[62nd Annual Grammy Awards]] ceremony held in Los Angeles. Other performers were [[Ben Platt]], [[Camila Cabello]], [[Debbie Allen]], who starred in the original film, and more. It was a sendoff to long time Grammy Awards television producer [[Kenneth Ehrlich]]. He retired after a four-decade run of producing the show.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8549281/2020-grammy-awards-body-electric-ken-ehrlich-performance|title=2020 Grammy Awards: Ken Ehrlich Tribute Performance 'I Sing the Body Electric'|date=January 26, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/ben-platt-debbie-allen-cyndi-lauper-more-to-perform-fame-song-at-the-2020-grammy-awards|title=Ben Platt, Debbie Allen, Cyndi Lauper, More to Perform Fame Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards|first=Andrew|last=Gans|date=January 23, 2020|website=Playbill|access-date=April 7, 2020}}</ref>

On April 23, 2020, Lauper participated in an online fundraising concert to raise money for [[LGBTQ]] nightlife workers who struggled financially because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Lauper ended the concert performing "True Colors". The concert was initiated by the Stonewall Inn Gives Back nonprofit organization of the historic [[Greenwich Village]] gay bar. Other performing artists were [[Kate Pierson]] of [[the B-52s]], [[Our Lady J]], [[Rufus Wainwright]] and [[Darren Hayes]] of [[Savage Garden]] amongst others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patch.com/new-york/west-village/cyndi-lauper-todrick-hall-join-virtual-stonewall-concert |title=Cyndi Lauper, Todrick Hall To Join Virtual Stonewall Concert |last=Quinn |first=Anna |date=April 23, 2020 |website=Patch |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, Lauper and Rob Hyman co-wrote the track "Secret to the Formula" for ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Secret to the Formula - {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/secret-to-the-formula-mt0058818326 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2020, Lauper dueted with former top-10 ''[[American Idol]]'' finalist [[Casey Abrams]] on a cover version of the 1965 protest song "[[Eve of Destruction (song)|Eve of Destruction]]", written by [[P. F. Sloan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://entrtnmnt.com/2020/11/casey-abrams-teams-up-with-cyndi-lauper-on-eve-of-destruction/ |title=Casey Abrams Teams Up with Cyndi Lauper on "Eve of Destruction" |date=November 19, 2020 |last=Coleman |first=Danny |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119194435/https://entrtnmnt.com/2020/11/casey-abrams-teams-up-with-cyndi-lauper-on-eve-of-destruction/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2021, Lauper featured as guest vocalist on the track "Blame it on Christmas" by [[Shea Diamond]]. An official video was released the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rac5_fzytx4| title = Shea Diamond – Blame It On Christmas (feat. Cyndi Lauper) [Live]| website = [[YouTube]]| date = December 2, 2021| access-date = December 5, 2021| archive-date = December 4, 2021| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20211204200609/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rac5_fzytx4| url-status = live}}</ref>

Lauper performed at the 2022 [[MusiCares Person of the Year]] Tribute Show honoring [[Joni Mitchell]] on April 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220317005335/en/Line-up-of-Performers-Announced-for-2022-MusiCares%C2%AE-Person-of-the-Year-Tribute-Honoring-Joni-Mitchell-to-Be-Held-in-Las-Vegas-on-Fri-April-1-2022 |title=Line-up of Performers Announced for 2022 MusiCares® Person of the Year Tribute Honoring Joni Mitchell, to Be Held in Las Vegas on Fri, April 1, 2022 |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=March 17, 2022 |access-date=March 21, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:P20221213CS-0088 (52651401073).jpg|right|thumb|Lauper speaking to reporters at the [[White House]] in 2022]]
In May 2022, it was announced that Alison Ellwood would direct a career retrospective documentary about Lauper. The film, entitled ''[[Let the Canary Sing]],'' encased Lauper's 40+ year career, and was produced by Sony Music Entertainment. The documentary premiered in June 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=June 16, 2023 |title='Let the Canary Sing' Review: A Documentary About Cyndi Lauper Captures Her Cracked Pop Joy, but It's Too Celebratory to Dig Into the Drama |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/let-the-canary-sing-review-cyndi-lauper-1235644616/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |magazine=Variety}}</ref>

In December 2022, Lauper and Alex Nolan performed "True Colors" at a White House celebration.<ref>{{Cite news |date= December 13, 2022 |title=Exclaiming 'today's a good day,' Biden signs bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriage |agency=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gay-marriage-law-biden-1.6684461}}</ref> That day, president [[Joe Biden]] signed the [[Respect for Marriage Act]] into law. Quote, 'The new law provides federal recognition to same-sex marriages, a measure born out of concern that the Supreme Court could reverse its legal support of such relationships'.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/cyndi-lauper-perform-biden-signs-marriage-equality-act-2022-12-13/ | title=Biden signs marriage equality act to tune of Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' | work=[[Reuters]] | date=December 14, 2022 | last1=Holland | first1=Steve }}</ref>

In January 2023, she was among the nominees for the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], "Seeing my name on this year's ballot with so many talents that I admire means so much to me", she adds. "It has been a lifetime privilege to reach so many different kinds of fans with a message of following your own path (and having fun along the way, too)", said Lauper.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/cyndi-lauper-response-2023-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nomination-1235209397/ | title=Cyndi Lauper Calls 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination 'An Honor and a Thrill' | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cyndi-lauper-george-michael-among-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nominees/ |title=Cyndi Lauper, George Michael among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees - CBS News |website=[[CBS News]] |access-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202143841/https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cyndi-lauper-george-michael-among-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nominees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lauper was not inducted in 2023, but was selected for induction in 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Outkast, The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Chubby Checker & More to Join 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025-class-full-list-outkast-1235956268/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

In July 2023, Lauper released the track "Oh Dolores". The song was written for the [[black comedy]] horror television series ''[[The Horror of Dolores Roach]]'', released on [[Amazon Prime Video|Prime Video]] in July 2023. Lauper also had a recurring guest role in the series, though it was canceled after one season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/07/the-horror-of-dolores-roach-review-this-serial-killer-drama-is-a-sloppy-mess|title=The Horror of Dolores Roach review – this serial killer drama is a sloppy mess|first=Jack|last=Seale|date=July 7, 2023|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/07/tv-shows/horror-of-dolores-roach-review/index.html|title='The Horror of Dolores Roach' isn't quite the killer concept it could be|first=Brian|last=Lowry|date=July 7, 2023|website=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

The soundtrack single "Gonna Be You" from the movie ''[[80 for Brady]]'' was released in January 2023. The song was written by [[Diane Warren]], and performed by [[Dolly Parton]], [[Belinda Carlisle]], Cyndi Lauper, [[Debbie Harry]] and [[Gloria Estefan]]. The official music video shows Parton, Carlisle, Lauper, and Estefan performing while wearing football jerseys similar to the ones worn by the women in the film, interspersed with clips from the film.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Dolly Parton, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, Belinda Carlisle, Debbie Harry Release New Song 'Gonna Be You' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dolly-parton-gloria-estefan-cyndi-lauper-belinda-carlisle-debbie-harry-new-song-1234664705/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120144710/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dolly-parton-gloria-estefan-cyndi-lauper-belinda-carlisle-debbie-harry-new-song-1234664705/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

February 2024 brought major news for Lauper. She announced collaboration with Pophouse (owned by [[Björn Ulvaeus]]) after they bought parts of her song catalog, including "True Colors" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" but not her Broadway music. Future projects would include a television series and a festival, as well as an immersive theater experience.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Cyndi Lauper, '80s Icon, Sells Her Music to ABBA Star, Plans Immersive Theater Show |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-02-29/cyndi-lauper-sells-song-catalog-to-abba-star-plans-immersive-show |access-date=March 6, 2024 |agency=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyndi Lauper Sells Majority Share of Rights to Pophouse |url=https://people.com/cyndi-lauper-sells-majority-of-catalog-to-pophouse-8602705|first=Daniela|last=Avila|date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |magazine=People}}</ref>

[[File:Glasto24 2806 300624 (33 of 382) (53836779452) (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|Lauper performing at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] in [[Pilton, Somerset]], 2024]]
''Let the Canary Sing'', a documentary directed by Alison Ellwood about Lauper's career debuted on [[Paramount+]] on June 4, 2024. The soundtrack for the documentary had been released on May 31, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Cyndi Lauper Doc 'Let The Canary Sing' Sets Paramount+ Premiere; Drops Trailer |first=Rosy |last=Cordero|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/cyndi-lauper-doc-let-the-canary-sing-paramount-plus-premiere-date-trailer-1235905885/ |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> One day before the release of ''Let the Canary Sing'', Lauper announced that she would be holding one last series of concerts before retiring from touring. Her [[Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour]] began in [[Montreal]], Canada, on October 18, 2024, and ended on August 30, 2025, at the [[Hollywood Bowl]]. Lauper stated she wanted to host the farewell tour to properly thank her fans while she was still in good shape.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=June 3, 2024 |title=Cyndi Lauper announces farewell tour, documentary: 'Right now this is the best I can be' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/06/03/cyndi-lauper-farewell-tour-let-the-canary-sing-documentary/73887709007/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> On June 29, 2024, Lauper performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] in [[Pilton, Somerset]], England.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/local-events/7.Exhibitions/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/105343904n-cyndi-lauper-glastonbury-festival-2024 | title=Local Events in Somerset |newspaper=[[Somerset County Gazette]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.sky.com/story/glastonbury-2024-line-up-announced-as-organisers-confirm-headline-acts-dua-lipa-coldplay-and-sza-13093053 | title=Glastonbury 2024 line-up announced as Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Sza revealed as headliners|agency=[[Sky News]]}}</ref>

On October 5, 2025, her "Grammy Salute" special, which was held at the Hollywood Bowl, aired on [[CBS]] and [[Paramount+]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/how-to-watch-cyndi-lauper-live-hollywood-bowl-grammy-salute/|title=How to Watch 'A Grammy Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live From the Hollywood Bowl'|first=Andi|last=Ortiz|publisher=The Wrap|date=October 5, 2025|access-date=October 5, 2025}}</ref> The next day, the singer announced her first-ever [[Concert residency|residency]], Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas, taking place at [[the Colosseum at Caesars Palace]], with concerts starting in April 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cyndi-lauper-announces-las-vegas-130000075.html|title=Cyndi Lauper Announces Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace|date=October 6, 2025|access-date=October 6, 2025|work=Yahoo! Finance}}</ref>

On November 8, 2025, Lauper was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dalton |first1=Andrew |title=A look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees and how they were honored |url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/classes/2025/ |publisher=AP News |access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref>

== Activism ==
[[File:Cyndi Lauper at Gay Games VII.jpg|thumb|Lauper performing at the [[Gay Games]] VII, [[Wrigley Field]], July 22, 2006]]
Lauper has been an LGBT rights supporter throughout her career, campaigning for equality through various charities and gay pride events around the world. Lauper stated that she became involved in gay rights advocacy because her sister Ellen is a lesbian and because Lauper herself was passionate about equality. Lauper cites her sister Ellen as a role model.<ref name=voice>{{cite web|url=http://thegavoice.com/cyndi-laupers-true-colors/|title=Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors'|work=Georgia Voice - Gay & LGBT Atlanta |publisher=[[The Georgia Voice]]|access-date=January 23, 2016|date=July 23, 2010}}</ref>

Her song "Above the Clouds" celebrates the memory of [[Matthew Shepard]], a young gay man beaten to death in [[Wyoming]]. As a member of the [[Matthew Shepard Foundation]] Board, Lauper devoted a [[concert tour]] in 2005 to promoting the Foundation's message.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/entertainment-news/2005/12/14/cyndi-lauper-joins-honorary-board-matthew-shepard|title=Cyndi Lauper joins honorary board of Matthew Shepard Foundation|magazine=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]|access-date=January 23, 2016|date=December 14, 2005}}</ref>

She co-founded the [[True Colors (concert tour)|True Colors]] tour for Human Rights throughout the United States and Canada in June 2007. One dollar from each ticket was earmarked for the [[Human Rights Campaign]], which advocates equal rights for LGBT individuals.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2943293 |title=Lauper, Others Headline Gay Rights Tour |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=October 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034941/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2943293 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, Lauper started [[True Colors United]]
The organization works to end youth homelessness, focusing on the experiences of LGBT youth. She set up the ''True Colors Residence'' in New York City for LGBT homeless youths. The 30-bed facility offers temporary shelter and job placement help.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/cyndi-lauper-opens-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-20110825 |title=Cyndi Lauper Opens Shelter for Homeless LGBT Youth |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |first=Inae |last=Oh |archive-date=August 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824044521/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/cyndi-lauper-opens-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-20110825 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2010, TCU launched the Give a Damn campaign, to help get straight people more involved in LGBT rights.<ref name=voice/> In December 2022, Lauper performed her song "True Colors" at the ceremony where U.S. President Joe Biden signed the [[Respect for Marriage Act]] into law.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/post/169459/biden-signs-landmark-bill-protecting-same-sex-marriage|title= Biden Signs Landmark Bill Protecting Same-Sex Marriage|first=Tori|last=Otten|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|date=December 13, 2022|access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>

In August 2008, she contributed an article titled "Hope" to ''[[HuffPost]]'', encouraging Americans to vote for [[Barack Obama]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Lauper, Cyndi|date=August 24, 2008|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/cyndi-lauper/hope_b_120936.html|title=Hope|work=HuffPost|access-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref> Lauper performed at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]].<ref name=voice/> During 2022, Lauper launched the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund, with a mission to support organizations "fighting for the right to abortion and reproductive healthcare."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Niasse|first=Amina|title=Cyndi Lauper Enters Fight For Reproductive Justice With New Fund|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cyndi-lauper-girls-just-want-to-have-fundamental-rights-1235154491/|date=October 11, 2022|access-date=October 12, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[file:USMC-091203-M-6796M-016.jpg|thumb|180px|left|[[Nicki Minaj]] and [[Katy Perry]] performing "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]" at ''[[VH1 Divas]]''. Both artists have said that they are influenced by Lauper's sound and look.]]

Lauper was described by [[AllMusic]]'s Lindsay Planer as "an iconoclastic vocalist who revolutionized the role of [[Women in rock|women in rock and roll]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-angel-mw0000770882|title=Blue Angel – Blue Angel – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic|work=AllMusic|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> Over her 40-year career, she influenced multiple recording artists including [[Katy Perry]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2295376/what-will-katy-perrys-new-album-sound-like-check-out-5-video-clues/|title=What Will Katy Perry's New Album Sound Like? Check Out 5 Video Clues |first=Chris|last=Ryan|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=March 30, 2010|access-date=March 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410034805/http://www.mtv.com/news/2295376/what-will-katy-perrys-new-album-sound-like-check-out-5-video-clues/|archive-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> [[Lady Gaga]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.music-news.com/news/UK/97180/Cyndi-Lauper-Madonna-wasn-t-my-competition|title=Cyndi Lauper: 'Madonna wasn't my competition'|work=Music News|access-date=October 24, 2016|date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> [[Vanessa Paradis]],<ref name="musicbloodline.info">{{cite web |url=http://musicbloodline.info/artist/MN0000122754/spotify |title=Cyndi Lauper &#124; Music Bloodline |website=Musicbloodline.info |access-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427012841/http://musicbloodline.info/artist/MN0000122754/spotify |archive-date=April 27, 2013 }}</ref> [[Tegan and Sara]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Maloy |first=Sarah |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/watch-tegan-sara-sing-cyndi-lauper-candid-covers-1481449/ |title=Watch Tegan & Sara Sing Cyndi Lauper: Candid Covers |magazine=Billboard |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2015}}</ref> [[Kim Petras]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Get to Know: Kim Petras|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/hxo4wv/get-to-know-kim-petras|agency=[[MTV (British and Irish TV channel)|MTV]]|date=August 22, 2019|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227141656/http://www.mtv.co.uk/mtv-push/news/get-to-know-kim-petras|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nicki Minaj]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-17 |title=Nicki Minaj's Style Inspired By Cyndi Lauper |url=https://www.contactmusic.com/news/nicki-minajs-style-inspired-by-cyndi-lauper_1295675 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=[[Contactmusic.com]]}}</ref> [[Poppy (singer)|Poppy]]<ref name="tigerbeat">{{cite web|first=Allison|last=Chesky|url=http://tigerbeat.com/video/that-poppy-talks-exclusively-to-tiger-beat/|title=Fashion, Music and Prom According to Pop Sensation That Poppy|work=[[Tiger Beat]]|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817154259/http://tigerbeat.com/video/that-poppy-talks-exclusively-to-tiger-beat/|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Yelle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/cyndi-lauper/related-artists/?filter=followers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329095818/http://www.mtv.com/artists/cyndi-lauper/related-artists/?filter=followers |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2014 |title=Cyndi Lauper Followers |publisher=MTV |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> Lauper received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015/06/22/tarantino-lauper-others-chosen-for-hollywood-walk-of-fame|title=Tarantino, Lauper, others chosen for Hollywood Walk of Fame – US News|work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref>

[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[Spotify]] said that ''She's So Unusual'' and Lauper's distinctive idiosyncratic appearance "helped popularize the image of [[Punk rock|punk]] and new wave for America, making it an acceptable part of the pop landscape".<ref name="musicbloodline.info"/> ''Rolling Stone'' magazine stated that her debut was "arguably the first time explicitly punk-influenced elements were front-and-center on the pop landscape, both musically and via Lauper's Patrick Lucas-styled ensembles, dressing up the droll [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] decade in feminist [[chutzpah]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2014/03/28/cyndi-lauper-releases-lost-track-iconic-shes-so-unusual-30th |title=Cyndi Lauper Releases Lost Track from Iconic She's So Unusual for 30th Anniversary Album |website=[[Out (magazine)|Out]] |date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> The album ranked at number 487 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] in 2003. The album ranked at number 41 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/women-who-rock-the-50-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120622 |title=Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 22, 2012 |access-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320073433/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/women-who-rock-the-50-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120622 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Rolling Stone's'' review stated, "A wild and wonderful skyrocket of a voice&nbsp;... Lauper's extraordinary pipes connect with the right material, the results sound like the beginning of a whole new golden age." Thirty years after its release, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called it an "everlastingly saucy supersmash".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ross |first=Dalton |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/04/01/cyndi-lauper-shes-so-unusual-30th-anniversary/ |title=Cyndi Lauper's 'She's So Unusual': An everlasting, once in a lifetime album &#124; The Music Mix  |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref>

Sheila Moeschen argued that "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]" "embodied a different kind of feminine aesthetic that ran counter to the raw sensuality and edginess of her contemporaries like [[Madonna]] or veteran rockers [[Joan Jett]] and [[Pat Benatar]]", that introduced "a nation of women to a new kind of female role model, one that celebrated difference and encouraged playfulness in self-expression".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheila-moeschen/girls-still-just-wanna-have-fun_b_3061316.html | work=The Huffington Post | first=Sheila | last=Moeschen | title=Girls Still Just Wanna Have Fun: At 30, Cyndi Lauper's Feminist Anthem Endures | date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> [[John Rockwell]] wrote that the song was "a giddily upbeat attestation to female pleasure that simultaneously made a feminist statement, fulfilled male fantasies and—especially in its often-played video version—evoked the warmth of family and friends".<ref name="theatlantic.com">{{cite web |author-link=Emma Green (journalist) |last=Green |first=Emma |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/the-feisty-feminism-of-girls-just-want-to-have-fun-30-years-later/359834/ |title=The Feisty Feminism of 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun,' 30 Years Later |work=[[The Atlantic]] |date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> Its music video won the first-ever Best Female Video prize at the [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards]]. It featured a multicultural cast of women with teased, sideways hair and neon eye shadow, singing alongside Lauper.<ref name="The Sexy Feminist"/>

"Time After Time" has been covered by over a hundred artists and was ranked at number 22 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/vh125songs.htm |title=VH1: 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years: 1–50 |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=November 15, 2012}}</ref> and at number 19 on [[VH1]]'s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's: 1–50 |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=November 15, 2012}}</ref>

"[[She Bop]]", the third single from ''She's So Unusual'', is the first and only top ten song to directly mention a [[Gay pornography|gay porn]] magazine. An ode to [[masturbation]], it was included in the [[Parents Music Resource Center|PMRC]]'s "Filthy Fifteen" list that led to the [[Parental Advisory]] sticker appearing on recordings thought to be unsuitable for young listeners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebacklot.com/the-essential-cyndi-lauper-ranking-her-top-20-songs/06/2014/2/|title=The Essential Cyndi Lauper: Ranking Her Top 20 Songs|website=[[TheBacklot.com]]|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> In a retrospective, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it the 36th best song of 1984, praising its unusual playfulness regarding sexuality.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-20140917/cyndi-lauper-she-bop-20140917|title=Cyndi Lauper, 'She Bop'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=December 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208101833/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-20140917/cyndi-lauper-she-bop-20140917|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"True Colors" is a gay anthem, after which [[True Colors United]], which advocates for runaway and homeless LGBT youth, is named.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2014/02/gay-iconography-cyndi-lauper-is-a-not-so-unusual-choice-1.html |title=Gay Iconography: Cyndi Lauper Is A Not-So-Unusual Choice&#124; Gay News |website=[[Andy Towle|Towleroad.com]]|date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Cyndi Lauper discography}}
{{Further|Blue Angel (band)#Discography}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* ''[[She's So Unusual]]'' (1983)
* ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]'' (1986)
* ''[[A Night to Remember (Cyndi Lauper album)|A Night to Remember]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Hat Full of Stars]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Sisters of Avalon]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Merry Christmas ... Have a Nice Life]]'' (1998)
* ''[[At Last (Cyndi Lauper album)|At Last]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Shine (Cyndi Lauper album)|Shine]]'' (2004)
* ''[[The Body Acoustic]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Bring Ya to the Brink]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Memphis Blues (album)|Memphis Blues]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Detour (Cyndi Lauper album)|Detour]]'' (2016)
{{div col end}}

== Live performances ==
;Tours
{{div col}}
* [[Fun Tour]] (1983–1984)
* True Colors World Tour (1986–1987)
* A Night to Remember Tour (1989)
* Hat Full of Stars Tour (1993–1994)
* Twelve Deadly Cyns (1995)
* Sisters of Avalon Tour (1996)
* Shine Tour (2002–2003)
* At Last Tour (2003–2004)
* The Body Acoustic Tour (2005–2006)
* [[True Colors (concert tour)|True Colors]] (2007–2008)
* [[Bring Ya to the Brink#Tour and promotion|Bring Ya to the Brink Tour]] (2008)
* Girls Night Out (2009)
* [[Memphis Blues Tour]] (2010–2011)
* [[She's So Unusual: 30th Anniversary Tour]] (2013–2014)
* [[Detour Tour]] (2016)
* North American Tour (2017–2018)
* Japan Tour 2019 (2019)
* [[Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour]] (2024–2025)
{{div col end}}
;Residencies:
* Cyndi Lauper: Live in Las Vegas (2026)

== Filmography ==
=== Theatre ===
<!-- Rowspans are only allowed for the "Year" column per WP:FILMOGRAPHY -->
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ {{Screen reader-only|Table featuring theatre with Cyndi Lauper}}
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| {{dts|2000|format=y}}
| ''Matters of the Heart''
| Herself
| Broadway concert
| {{center|<ref name="playbill">{{cite web |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/cyndi-lauper-vault-0000016944 |title=Cyndi Lauper |website=Playbill |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2006|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Threepenny Opera}}''
| Jenny (Ginny Jenny/Low-Dive Jenny)
| Broadway musical
| {{center|<ref name="playbill" />}}{{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.musicals101.com/threep06.htm |title=The Threepenny Opera |website=Musicals101 |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2013|format=y}}
| ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots]]''
| rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
| Broadway musical (writer)
| {{center|<ref name="playbill" />}}{{center| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cyndi-laupers-kinky-boots-close-broadway-731068/ |title=Cyndi Lauper's 'Kinky Boots' to Close on Broadway |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=September 29, 2018 |website=RollingStone |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2017|format=y}}
| ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|SpongeBob SquarePants]]''
| Broadway musical (writer, "Hero is My Middle Name")
| {{center|<ref name="playbill" />}}<br />{{center| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/192055/watch-the-stars-of-spongebob-squarepants-sing-hero-is-my-middle-name-on-today/ |title=Watch the Stars of SpongeBob SquarePants Sing 'Hero Is My Middle Name' on Today |date=May 4, 2018 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|}

=== Television ===
<!-- Rowspans are only allowed for the "Year" column per WP:FILMOGRAPHY -->
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ {{Screen reader-only|Table featuring programs of television with Cyndi Lauper}}
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| {{dts|1989|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Super Mario Bros. Super Show!}}''
| Herself
| Episode: "Robo Koopa/Captain Lou is Missing"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/9/9/21428539/super-mario-bros-super-show |title=Brotherly Love: The History of 'The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!' |last=Siegel |first=Alan |date=September 9, 2020 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|1990|format=y}}
| ''[[Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme]]''
| Mary ("[[Mary Had a Little Lamb]]")
| rowspan="2" | Television film
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2009/09/audio-archaeology-mother-goose-rock-n-rhyme-1990/ |title=Audio Archaeology: Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) |last=Blackard |first=Cat |date=September 10, 2009 |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Wall – Live in Berlin}}''
| Young Pink
|
|-
| {{dts|1993|format=y}}—{{dts|1999|format=y}}
| ''[[Mad About You]]''
| Marianne Lugasso
| 4 episodes
| {{center|<ref name="emmy" />}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|1999|format=y}}
| ''[[Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child]]''
| Pidge
| Voice role; Episode: "The Happy Prince"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/466547/the-happy-prince-the-happily-ever-after-fairy-tales-for-every-child/#overview |title=The Happy Prince: The Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Simpsons}}''
| Herself
| Voice role; Episode: "[[Wild Barts Can't Be Broken]]"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.needsomefun.net/january-17-1999-cyndi-lauper-loaned-her-voice-and-likeness-to-fox-tvs-the-simpsons/ |title=January 17, 1999 – Cyndi Lauper Loaned Her Voice and Likeness to FOX-TV's "The Simpsons" |date=January 24, 2021 |website=Need Some Fun |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2004|format=y}}
| ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]''
| Operator Hero
| Voice role;  Episode: "Smooth Operator"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awn.com/news/disney-channel-picks-2nd-season-higglytown-heroes |title=Disney Channel Picks Up 2nd Season of Higglytown Heroes |last=DeMott |first=Rick |date=April 11, 2005 |website=[[Animation World Network]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2005|format=y}}
| ''[[That's So Raven]]''
| Ms. Petuto
| Episode: "Art Breaker"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thethings.com/celebrities-who-have-guest-starred-on-a-disney-channel-show/ |title=10 Celebrities Who Have Guest Starred on a Disney Channel Show |last=Gittleman |first=Danielle |date=February 15, 2021 |website=The Things |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Queer as Folk (2000 TV series)|Queer as Folk]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "I Love You"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/02/15/cyndi-lauper-shines-in-the-final-season-of-showtimes-queer-as-folk-series-premieres-sunday-may-22-at-900-pm-et-pt-17843/20050215showtime02/ |title=Cyndi Lauper 'Shines' in the Final Season of Showtime's Queer as Folk Series Premieres Sunday, May 22 at 9:00pm (ET/PT) |date=February 15, 2005 |website=[[The Futon Critic]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2006|format=y}}
| ''[[Top of the Pops]]''
| Co-presenter
| Episode: "13/03/2006"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://totparchive.co.uk/episode?id=2186 |title='TOTP Archive – 13/03/2006' |date=March 13, 2006 |website=TOTP Archive |access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Backyardigans}}''
| rowspan="4" | Herself
| Voice role; Episode:"International Super Spy"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/backyardigans-kid-model-story-began-news-article-1.246563 |title='Backyardigans' Kid's Model Story Began with News |last=McCarthy |first=Sean |date=September 16, 2007 |website=[[New York Daily News]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2008|format=y}}
| ''[[Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List]]''
| Episode: "Fly the Super Gay Skies"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/06/27/my-life-on-the/ |title='My Life on the D-List' Recap: Australia, Meet Kathy Griffin |last=Wilkinson |first=Amy |date=June 17, 2008 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Gossip Girl]]''
| Episode: "Bonfire of the Vanity"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insider.com/celebrities-cameos-on-gossip-girl-2017-9 |title=20 Celebrities You Didn't Remember Were on 'Gossip Girl' |last1=Oswald |first1=Anjelica |last2=Singh |first2=Olivia |date=July 17, 2019 |website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2009|format=y}}
| ''[[30 Rock]]''
| Episode: "[[Kidney Now!]]"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/elvis-costello-sheryl-crow-mary-j-blige-join-mock-30-rock-choir-78946/ |title=Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige Join Mock "30 Rock" Choir |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=May 15, 2009 |website=RollingStone |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| data-sort-value="Apprentice: The Celebrity Apprentice 3, The" | ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series) season 9|The Apprentice: The Celebrity Apprentice 3]]''
| Herself / Contestant
| Episode: "#9.4"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/recap/celebrity-apprentice-recap-season9-episode1/ |title=The Celebrity Apprentice Season Premiere Recap: Cyndi Lauper Calls Trump Fat and Disses His Wife! |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=March 16, 2010 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2009|format=y}}–{{dts|2015|format=y}} {{dts|2017|format=y}}
| ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''
| Avalon Harmonia
| 5 episodes
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/2009/sep/18/cyndi-lauper-taps-into-her-psychic-side-on-bones/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215140322/https://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/2009/sep/18/cyndi-lauper-taps-into-her-psychic-side-on-bones/ |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |title=Cyndi Lauper Taps into Her Psychic Side on 'Bones' |last=Rancilio |first=Alicia |work=[[Daily Herald (United Kingdom)|Daily Herald]] |date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2012|format=y}}
| ''[[Bob's Burgers]]''
| Performer
| Voice role; Episode: "The Belchies"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/02/21/cyndi-lauper-goonies-bobs-burgers/ |title=Cyndi Lauper Sings New Version of 'Goonies' on 'Bob's Burgers' |last=Snlerson |first=Dan |date=February 21, 2012 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Happily Divorced]]''
| Kiki Kappelmaster
| Episode: "Follow the Leader"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guide |first1=TV |url=https://www.duquoin.com/article/20121218/news/701248964/ |title=First Look: Cyndi Lauper Guests on Happily Divorced |date=December 18, 2012 |website=[[Du Quoin Evening Call]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2013|format=y}}
| ''[[Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual]]''
| rowspan="2" | Herself
| 12 episodes; Executive producer
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/cyndi-lauper-still-so-unusual/1030473176/ |title=Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual |website=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2014|format=y}}
| ''[[Front and Center]]''
| Episode: "Cyndi Lauper"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://frontandcenter.com/season-3/cyndi-lauper/ |title=Cyndi Lauper |website=[[Front and Center]] |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303234427/https://frontandcenter.com/season-3/cyndi-lauper/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2018|format=y}}
| ''[[Magnum P.I. (2018 TV series)|Magnum P.I.]]''
| Vanessa Nero
| Episode: "Sudden Death"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/cyndi-lauper-guest-stars-as-lawyer-vanessa-nero-on-magnum-p-i/ |title=Cyndi Lauper Guest Stars as Lawyer Vanessa Nero on Magnum P.I. |last=Jane |first=Mary |date=October 22, 2018 |website=Monsters&Critics |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|- 
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|2020|format=y}}
| ''[[Young Sheldon]]''
| Herself
| Voice role; Episode: "A Baby Tooth and the Egyptian God of Knowledge"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://starrymag.com/young-sheldon-a-baby-tooth-and-the-egyptian-god-of-knowledge/ |title=Young Sheldon – A Baby Tooth and the Egyptian God of Knowledge |date=April 22, 2020 |website=StarryMag |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Bubble Guppies]]''
| Miss Goo Goo
| Voice role; Episode: "Super Baby!"
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hiddenremote.com/2020/04/08/bubble-guppies-cyndi-lauper/#:~:text=Cyndi%20Lauper%20is%20taking%20on%20the%20Bubble%20Guppies%20as%20the%20baddie%20Ms.&text=Grammy%2C%20Emmy%2C%20and%20Tony%20Award,%2C%20titled%20%E2%80%9CSuper%20Baby!%E2%80%9D |title=Exclusive Sneak Peek: Syndi Lauper is Ms. Goo Goo on Bubble Guppies |author=Sandy C |date=April 8, 2020 |website=Hidden Remote |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2020|format=y}}—{{dts|2021|format=y}}
| ''[[Project Runway]]''
| Herself (Guest Judge)
| Episodes: "She's Sew Unusual" (Season 18) and "Couch Couture" (Season 19)
|
|-
| {{dts|2023|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Horror of Dolores Roach}}''
| Ruthie
| Episodes: "I Never Don't Find 'Em" (Season 1) and "Blink Twice" (Season 1)
| 
|}

=== Film ===
<!-- Rowspans are only allowed for the "Year" column per WP:FILMOGRAPHY -->
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ {{Screen reader-only|Table featuring feature films with Cyndi Lauper}}
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| {{dts|1984|format=y}}
| ''Prime Cuts''
| rowspan="2" | Herself
| rowspan="2" | Cameo appearance
| {{center|<ref>{{cite book |title=Prime Cuts Video Music |oclc=16571581 }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|1985|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Goonies}}''
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/movies/the-goonies-30th-anniversary/ |title=The Goonies 30th Anniversary: Why Did Cyndi Lauper Hate the Theme Song 'The Goonies 'R' Good Enough'?|author=Drew Mackie| date=June 3, 2015|website=People |access-date=December 9, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|1988|format=y}}
| ''[[Vibes (film)|Vibes]]''
| Sylvia Pickel
| rowspan="3" | Comedy film
|
|-
| {{dts|1991|format=y}}
| ''[[Off and Running]]''
| Cyd Morse
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/off-and-running-1200429996/ |title=Off and Running |last=Elley |first=Derek |date=June 16, 1992 |website=Variety |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|1993|format=y}}
| ''[[Life with Mikey]]''
| Geena Briganti
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/life-with-mikey-1993 |title=Reviews – Life with Mikey |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=June 4, 1993 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|1994|format=y}}
| ''[[Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle]]''
| Picnic Guest
| Uncredited
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/mrs-parker-and-the-vicious-circle/cast/2000274835/ |title=Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle – Full Cast & Crew |website=TV Guide |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|1996|format=y}}
| ''Sesame Street Elmocize''
| Twyla
| Direct-to-video
| {{center|<ref>{{cite book |title=Sesame Street: Elmocize |oclc=1090865843 }}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2000|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Opportunists}}''
| Sally Mahon
| Drama film
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/opportunists |title=The Opportunists |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=August 11, 2000 |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2005|format=y}}
| ''{{sortname|The|Naked Brothers Band: The Movie}}''
| Herself
| Cameo appearance
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2007-01-27-0701250522-story.html |title=The Naked Truth About the Brothers |last=Lee |first=Felicia R |date=January 27, 2007 |website=[[Sun Sentinel|South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2009|format=y}}
| ''[[Here and There (2009 film)|Here and There]]''
| Rose
| Serbian-German film
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-tribeca-hereandthere/cyndi-lauper-shares-screen-with-husband-idUKTRE53N4QA20090424 |title=Cyndi Lauper Shares Screen with Husband |last=Nichols |first=Michelle |date=April 24, 2009 |website=Reuters |access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2011|format=y}}
| ''National Lampoon's Dirty Movie''
| Little Johnny's Mom
| Comedy film
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/national_lampoons_dirty_movie_2011 |title=National Lampoon's Dirty Movie |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| {{dts|2014|format=y}}
| ''[[Henry & Me]]''
| Nurse Cyndi
| Voice role
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/henry-me-film-review-726590 |title='Henry & Me': Film Review |date=August 21, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}}
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Cyndi Lauper}}

=== Grammy Awards ===
The [[Grammy Awards]] are awarded annually by the [[The Recording Academy|National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Lauper has won two awards from 16 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/cyndi-lauper/4198|title=Artist: Cyndi Lauper|website=Grammy.com|access-date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726125029/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/cyndi-lauper/4198|archive-date=July 26, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[27th Annual Grammy Awards|1985]]
| Cyndi Lauper
| [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]
| {{won}}
|-
| ''[[She's So Unusual]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[28th Annual Grammy Awards|1986]]
| "What a Thrill"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Female Rock Vocal Performance]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[29th Annual Grammy Awards|1987]]
| "[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|True Colors]]"
| Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
| {{nom}}
|-
| "911"
| Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[30th Annual Grammy Awards|1988]]
| "Cyndi Lauper in Paris"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Performance Music Video|Best Performance Music Video]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[32nd Annual Grammy Awards|1990]]
| "[[I Drove All Night#Cyndi Lauper version|I Drove All Night]]"
| Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|1999]]
| "[[Disco Inferno#Cyndi Lauper version|Disco Inferno]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording|Best Dance Recording]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005]]
| "[[Unchained Melody]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals|Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[51st Annual Grammy Awards|2009]]
| ''[[Bring Ya to the Brink]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album|Best Electronic/Dance Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards|2011]]
| ''[[Memphis Blues (album)|Memphis Blues]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album|Best Traditional Blues Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[56th Annual Grammy Awards|2014]]
| ''[[Kinky Boots (Broadway cast album)|Kinky Boots]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album|Best Musical Theater Album]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[59th Annual Grammy Awards|2017]]
| ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots (Original West End Cast)]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album|Best Musical Theater Album]]
| {{nom}}
|}
{{small|Note: ''[[She's So Unusual]]'' also won [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Best Album Package]] in [[27th Annual Grammy Awards|1985]]. Best Album Package is credited to the art director and not the performer. The art director was [[Janet Perr]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/131|title=Winners Best Album Package – Incl. Album Cover, Graphic Arts, Photography|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref>}}

{{small|Note: "[[We Are the World]]" (which featured Cyndi Lauper as a vocalist) also won [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video, Short Form]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] in [[28th Annual Grammy Awards|1986]]. Song of the Year is credited to the songwriters and not the performer. The song was written by [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Lionel Richie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/140|title=Winners Song of the Year/New Song of the Year|website=Grammy.com|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/138|title=Winners Record of the Year|website=Grammy.com|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/191|title=Winners Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal|website=Grammy.com|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref> Best Music Video, Short Form is presented to the director and producer, Tom Trbovich directed the video while Quincy Jones served as producer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/winners-nominees/183|title=Winners Best Music Video, Short Form|website=Grammy.com|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref>}}

{{small|Note: Lauper received a Grammy nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals|Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)]], as she was one of the three arrangers along with [[Stephen Gaboury|Steve Gaboury]] and [[Don Sebesky]].}}

=== Tony Awards ===
The [[Antoinette Perry]] '''Award for Excellence in Theatre''', more commonly known informally as the [[Tony Awards|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/weblogs/atlanta-music-scene/2013/jun/09/cyndi-lauper-wins-first-tony-award-kinky-boots/ |title=Cyndi Lauper wins first Tony Award for 'Kinky Boots' &#124; The Music Scene |website=Accessatlanta.com |access-date=April 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220022555/http://www.accessatlanta.com/weblogs/atlanta-music-scene/2013/jun/09/cyndi-lauper-wins-first-tony-award-kinky-boots/ |archive-date=December 20, 2013 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
! style="width:7%;" | Year
! style="width:36%;" | Production
! style="width:46%;" | Category
! style="width:11%;" | Result
|-
| [[67th Tony Awards|2013]] || ''[[Kinky Boots (musical)|Kinky Boots]]'' || rowspan=2| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] || {{won}}
|-
| [[72nd Tony Awards|2018]] || ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' || {{nom}}
|}

=== Emmy Awards ===
An [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] recognizes excellence in the television industry.
{| class="wikitable" 
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
! style="width:7%;" | Year
! style="width:36%;" | Production
! style="width:46%;" | Category
! style="width:11%;" | Result
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Mad About You]]'': "A Pair of Hearts" || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] || {{nom}}<ref name="emmy" />
|-
| 1995 || ''Mad About You'': "[[Money Changes Everything#Cyndi Lauper version|Money Changes Everything]]" || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] || {{won}}<ref name="emmy" />
|}

=== 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''.
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="9" | [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards|1984]]
| rowspan="6" | "[[Girls Just Want to Have Fun]]"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv">{{cite web |url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/mtv-vma-1984-477.html |title=MTV VMA 1984 |website=Awards and Shows |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]]
| {{won}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Concept Video|Best Concept Video]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance|Best Overall Performance]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]"
| Best New Artist
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| Best Female Video
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="mtv" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1987 MTV Video Music Awards|1987]]
| "[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)|True Colors]]"
| Best Female Video
| {{nominated}}<ref name="vma">{{cite web |url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/mtv-vmas-1987-480.html |title=MTV VMAs 1987 |website=Awards and Shows |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| "[[What's Going On (song)#Cyndi Lauper version|What's Going On]]"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
| {{nominated}}<ref name="vma" />
{{end}}

=== Other recognition ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! style="background:#bcbcbc;" | Year
! style="background:#bcbcbc;" | By
! style="background:#bcbcbc;" | List
! style="background:#bcbcbc;" | Work
! style="background:#bcbcbc;" | Ranked
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| The 100 Top Music Videos<ref name=rsv/>
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
| No.&nbsp;22
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1999
| [[VH1]]
| 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll<ref name="rockonthenet1999"/>
| Cyndi Lauper
| No.&nbsp;58
|-
| MTV
| 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made<ref name=mtv1/>
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
| No.&nbsp;39
|-
| ''Rolling Stone''
| 100 Best Albums of the '80s
| ''She's So Unusual''
| No.&nbsp;75
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2000
| ''Rolling Stone''
| rowspan=2 | 100 Greatest Pop Songs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/rsmtv100.htm |title=Rolling Stone & MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs: 1–50 |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref>
| rowspan=2 | "Time After Time"
| rowspan=2 | No.&nbsp;66
|-
| MTV
|-
| 2001
| VH1
| 100 Greatest Videos<ref name=vh1v/>
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
| No.&nbsp;45
|-
| 2002
| ''Rolling Stone''
| 50 Essential "Women in Rock" Albums<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2002/rswomen.htm |title=Rolling Stone: The 50 Essential 'Woman In Rock' Albums |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref>
| ''She's So Unusual''
| No.&nbsp;41
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2003
| VH1
| 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years<ref name=vh125/>
| "Time After Time"
| No.&nbsp;22
|-
| ''Rolling Stone''
| [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/rs500albums1.htm |title=Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (1–100) |website= RockontheNet.com |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref>
| ''She's So Unusual''
| No.&nbsp;494
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2006
| rowspan=2 | VH1
| rowspan=2 | 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's: 1–50 |website= RockontheNet.com |access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref>
| "Time After Time"
| No.&nbsp;19
|-
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
| No.&nbsp;23
|-
| 2017
| VH1
| [[VH1 Trailblazer Honors|VH1 Trailblazer Honor]]<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7841946/cyndi-lauper-true-colors-tribute-performance-video-logo-trailblazer-honors-2017|title=Logo's Trailblazer Honors: Hayley Kiyoko, Alex Newell & Wrabel Tribute Cyndi Lauper With 'True Colors' Performance|last=Crowley|first=Patrick|date=June 23, 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>
| [[LGBTQ movements|LGBT activism]]
|
|-
| 2019
| [[Library of Congress]]
| [[National Recording Registry]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Travis M. |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' among recordings deemed classics by Library of Congress |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/jay-z-a-speech-by-sen-robert-f-kennedy-and-schoolhouse-rock-among-recordings-deemed-classics-by-library-of-congress/2019/03/19/f7eb08ea-4a58-11e9-9663-00ac73f49662_story.html?|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref>
| ''She's So Unusual''
|
|-
| 2025
| [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| Class of 2025 inductee<ref name="rr25"/>
| 
|
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of awards and nominations received by Cyndi Lauper]]
* [[Lists of Billboard number-one singles|Lists of ''Billboard'' number-one singles]]
* [[Timeline of Billboard number-one dance songs|Timeline of ''Billboard'' number-one dance songs]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
<!-- Please read Wikipedia's guidelines on external links [[WP:EL]]. -->
{{wikiquote}} {{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.cyndilauper.com/}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000122754}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Playbill person}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{C-SPAN|77970}}
* [http://www.cyndilaupersite.com/ Cyndi Lauper Fansite]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130518092253/http://music.matshearer.com/discography/2013-cyndi-lauper/ "Cyndi Lauper" the song, by Mat Shearer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205025752/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article4429585.ece Paul Burston, "Cyndi Lauper is Back, and the Girl still wants to Have Fun" (interview), ''The Times'', August 2, 2008]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/nyregion/20routine.html?hp ''New York Times'' feature, 2010]

{{Cyndi Lauper}}
{{Cyndi Lauper singles}}
{{Navboxes
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Cyndi Lauper|Awards for Cyndi Lauper]]
| list  =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyGuestActress}}
{{Grammy Award for Best New Artist}}
{{2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|state=collapsed}}
{{TonyAward MusicalScore}}
{{VH1 Trailblazer Honors}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lauper, Cyndi}}
[[Category:Cyndi Lauper| ]]
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