Cyndi Lauper is no stranger to milestones. Along with being one of rock's most influential women, she has won two GRAMMYs (including Best New Artist), delivered an Emmy-winning acting performance ("Mad About You"), produced a Tony-winning musical ("Kinky Boots"), and served as a major advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and women around the world. And this year has marked a celebration of all that she's achieved.
In August, Lauper wrapped her globe-trotting, 68-date Girls Just Want to Have Fun Farewell Tour with two star-studded shows at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. On Oct. 5, fans will get to experience the night through "A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper," which will air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and stream on Paramount+; the two-hour special will feature Lauper's performances alongside Joni Mitchell, Cher, John Legend, SZA, and more, as well as additional video tributes from Brandi Carlile, Ken Ehrlich and Harvey Mason jr.
The Hollywood Bowl shows were just the beginning of a remarkable fall for Lauper. A few weeks after "A GRAMMY Salute," her new musical "Working Girl" (based on the 1988 film) will premiere at the Mandell Weiss Theatre at San Diego's famed LA Jolla Playhouse. Just 11 days later, she'll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a moment fans have long been campaigning for.
It's a fitting series of events for Lauper, who has sold 50 million records over her nearly 50-year career — and her legacy extends far beyond her discography. She released a documentary in 2023 (Let the Canary Sing), that, along with her 2013 TV series (Still So Unusual) and 2012 self-titled memoir, have also offered displays of her fearlessness and vulnerability. She's long been passionate about activism, too, founding the nonprofit True Colors United to help combat youth homelessness and the Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights Fund to support women's rights and health (and cleverly call back to her most iconic hit).
While she may not be hitting the road again, Lauper's catalog is reported to become an immersive theater experience, further cementing her impact. To quote her at the time of her documentary, "I'm not dead yet."
Ahead of "A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper," the icon reflected on her career via email. Below, hear from Lauper on the CBS special, her farewell tour and some of her biggest moments from the past several years.
Your Farewell Tour was received with so much love. What did you feel you achieved with it that you hadn't in past tours?
I always wanted to do a big arena tour — to have the sets and lighting a certain way, to collaborate with other artists, both musically and visually. And I found a great partner in Brian Burke. He made my vision come to life.
The only goal I had was to celebrate the music, the fans and my friends. I am really lucky to have great friends who are not only talented but so generous with their time.
"A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live From the Hollywood Bowl" captured the final two shows. What were some filming highlights? And what do you see as the biggest benefit of broadcasting a show like that — for both those who were able to attend and those who weren't?
It wasn't nerve-wracking that it was being filmed, but it does add a layer that takes you out of the moment. But it was a great experience. We had an awesome team working behind the scenes and, again, I am so lucky to have great friends who joined me on stage.
There were a lot of places that we did not get to bring the Farewell Tour to, so I hope that this can make up for that. I want to share this moment with as many people as possible.
The "GRAMMY Salute" is one of many milestones you've had in the past few years, including your 2023 documentary, Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing. Though you were hesitant at first, what unexpected positives came from sharing your story that way?
It's another way to tell these stories. I think you reach a bigger audience with film and streaming. So many people have commented, "Wow, I didn't know that about you or I didn't realize you went through that." I always hope that people can take what I went through and use it for knowledge or inspiration in their own life.
Next up, your "Working Girl" musical will finally take the stage. What were the biggest challenges in writing the score, and did having so much time to develop it help, or did it make things harder?
Deadlines are always a challenge. You can't just pull a song out of thin air and you can't wait around until inspiration strikes you. Time is almost irrelevant when you're creating and writing. It's very intuitive and you have to follow your gut. That part of the process doesn't mesh well with a timing deadline.
I just hope that people like it and can relate to it. There are so many issues going on today that were going on 40 years ago. That sucks.
Your long-awaited Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction will happen shortly after "Working Girl" debuts. Your fans have campaigned for this moment for years. What does it mean to you personally?
It's always nice to get the recognition for your years of hard work. I appreciate the fans for believing in me and supporting me. That connection with the fans is really special.
To be able to express myself — both via music and socially, politically — that's what's important to me. To be able to use my platform to try and help make the world a little better.
What have been some of your fondest memories from the activism aspect of your career?
I think it is important for those of us who have a platform to use it to try and shine a light on injustices, inequalities, even if it means taking the heat. You have to be authentic to who you are. I was never one to just stand by and let something fly if it didn't seem right to me. And I have alienated some people along the way. I can't worry about that.
A lot of my fans are conservative and middle America, and I see the comments where people are telling me to shut up and sing. Hey, you have the right to say that. But it's not going to silence me.
You were also very honest in your 2012 memoir. Some artists describe writing a memoir as therapeutic, others as retraumatizing. For you, what were the positives — and the tougher moments — of putting your story on the page?
It was fine. Spilling some family secrets was a little nerve-wracking, especially since I was also doing a TV show at the time, "Still So Unusual." I worried how my mom would be affected. But I was true to myself. I told the stories that needed to be told.
The music business is not glamorous. You have to fight for yourself and your vision a lot and sometimes it means going to court. Sometimes it means making some misogynist dudes uncomfortable. But there are also really amazing things that happen along this journey. The places you go, the music you get to make, the friends you make along the way.
I read about your daily routine and it's inspiring — the discipline, the stamina. What are the key parts of your day-to-day life that have helped you continue to thrive nearly 50 years into your career?
You have to take your job seriously, whether you're a bus driver, a basketball player or a singer. If you want to be able to perform at your highest level, you have to be disciplined. If I want to be able to sing, I need to keep my instrument healthy. If I want to be able to run around the venue and roll around on the stage, I have to keep my body strong and limber. It's almost like reverse engineering it. And it's really second nature. Do you ever question brushing your teeth?
You're just one step away from an EGOT. Do you have any interest in pursuing a project that might put you in the running for an Oscar?
The Oscar is not the goal but, of course, it would be nice. I'm always open to interesting projects.