Cyndi Lauper.Photo:Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images
Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images
Cyndi Lauperis known for her distinct voice, bold fashion choices and overall nonconformist attitude. But her road to icon status wasn’t always so clear. Look back at her life in pictures as the “Time After Time” singer turns 70 on June 22, 2023.
01of 14Cyndi Lauper’s Early YearsCyndi Lauper.Michael Putland/GettyBefore we knew her as Cyndi Lauper, the one-of-a-kind singer was born Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper in New York City on June 22, 1953.Lauper began singing, writing songs and playing acoustic guitar at age 12.In the early ’70s, she performed in cover bands until she injured her vocal cords and was told she would never be able to sing again. With the help of vocal coach, Katie Agresta, Lauper got her chops back.
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Cyndi Lauper’s Early Years
Cyndi Lauper.Michael Putland/Getty
Michael Putland/Getty
Before we knew her as Cyndi Lauper, the one-of-a-kind singer was born Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper in New York City on June 22, 1953.
Lauper began singing, writing songs and playing acoustic guitar at age 12.
In the early ’70s, she performed in cover bands until she injured her vocal cords and was told she would never be able to sing again. With the help of vocal coach, Katie Agresta, Lauper got her chops back.
02of 14Cyndi Lauper in Blue AngelCyndi Lauper.Rob Verhorst/RedfernsIn 1978, Lauper met saxophone player John Turi, with whom she formed the band Blue Angel.The group recorded a demo of original music which earned Lauper a lot of interest from label executives, though she held out on signing any deals that didn’t include the entire band.Their eponymous debut album came out in 1980 and while it was a hit with critics, it sold poorly. The band would eventually break up and Lauper embarked on a solo career.
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Cyndi Lauper in Blue Angel
Cyndi Lauper.Rob Verhorst/Redferns
Rob Verhorst/Redferns
In 1978, Lauper met saxophone player John Turi, with whom she formed the band Blue Angel.
The group recorded a demo of original music which earned Lauper a lot of interest from label executives, though she held out on signing any deals that didn’t include the entire band.
Their eponymous debut album came out in 1980 and while it was a hit with critics, it sold poorly. The band would eventually break up and Lauper embarked on a solo career.
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Cyndi Lauper Finds Solo Success
Cyndi Lauper.Ebet Roberts/Redferns
Ebet Roberts/Redferns
In 1981, Lauper met musical artist Dave Wolff while singing at a club. He went on to take over as her manager and signed her to Portrait Records.
Two years later, she released her first solo album,She’s So Unusual,which featured her now signature song, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” as well as “Time After Time” and “She Bop.”
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Cyndi Lauper: Grammy Newcomer
Cyndi Lauper.CBS via Getty Images
CBS via Getty Images
She’s So Unusualfound major mainstream success and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
“The label said, ‘Get on a plane. You’re going to the Grammys!’ It was very exciting,” Lauper told PEOPLE.
05of 14Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton’s Lasting LoveCyndi Lauper and David Thornton.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyLauper met actorDavid Thorntonon the 1990 set of their filmOff and Runningand they married the next year.“When the film was finished, we spent a month alone together at Cape Cod,” Lauper toldThe Independentof their courtship. “We could stand each other, so we decided to go ahead and marry.”
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Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton’s Lasting Love
Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Lauper met actorDavid Thorntonon the 1990 set of their filmOff and Runningand they married the next year.
“When the film was finished, we spent a month alone together at Cape Cod,” Lauper toldThe Independentof their courtship. “We could stand each other, so we decided to go ahead and marry.”
06of 14Cyndi Lauper Wins an EmmyCyndi Lauper.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty ImagesAway from the stage, Lauper also got to showcase her acting chops.She playedMichael J. Fox’s quirky secretary, Geena Briganti, onLife with Mikey,and she even won an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Marianne Lugasso onMad About You.
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Cyndi Lauper Wins an Emmy
Cyndi Lauper.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images
Away from the stage, Lauper also got to showcase her acting chops.
She playedMichael J. Fox’s quirky secretary, Geena Briganti, onLife with Mikey,and she even won an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Marianne Lugasso onMad About You.
07of 14Cyndi Lauper, Fashion IconCyndi Lauper.Barry King/WireImageThough people now revere Lauper as an alternative style icon, it took a while for some fans to get behind her fashions.“A lot of people thought I messed up fashion a bit, but you’ve got to mix it up,” she said. “You can’t always be conservative — especially if you’re an artist. That’s the story of my life. I always wanted to combine music and art.”
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Cyndi Lauper, Fashion Icon
Cyndi Lauper.Barry King/WireImage
Barry King/WireImage
Though people now revere Lauper as an alternative style icon, it took a while for some fans to get behind her fashions.
“A lot of people thought I messed up fashion a bit, but you’ve got to mix it up,” she said. “You can’t always be conservative — especially if you’re an artist. That’s the story of my life. I always wanted to combine music and art.”
08of 14Cyndi Lauper and Other DivasCyndi Lauper and Cher.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicLauper shared the stage with fellow trailblazerCherwhile rehearsing for the 2002 VH1 Divas Las Vegas Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
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Cyndi Lauper and Other Divas
Cyndi Lauper and Cher.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Lauper shared the stage with fellow trailblazerCherwhile rehearsing for the 2002 VH1 Divas Las Vegas Concert to Benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
09of 14Cyndi Lauper’s Broadway BreakoutCyndi Lauper with Billy Porter.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicLauper andBilly Porterboth won Tony Awards for the hit musicalKinky Boots, for which she wrote the music. “It’s so great to see how happy he is, how free, how excitingly creative — and to see him finally be recognized and applauded," she said of star Porter.
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Cyndi Lauper’s Broadway Breakout
Cyndi Lauper with Billy Porter.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Lauper andBilly Porterboth won Tony Awards for the hit musicalKinky Boots, for which she wrote the music. “It’s so great to see how happy he is, how free, how excitingly creative — and to see him finally be recognized and applauded," she said of star Porter.
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Cyndi Lauper Gets a Star
cyndi lauper and david thornton.David Livingston/Getty Images
David Livingston/Getty Images
The 2016 double ceremony honored Lauper andKinky Bootsplaywright Harvey Fierstein.
11of 14Cyndi Lauper as a Proud AllyCyndi Lauper serves as Grand Marshall.Bryan Smith/ZUMAPRESS/alamayThe longtime LGBTQ-rights advocate was grand marshal at New York City’s 2012 Gay Pride Parade. “When you see your friends and family get their civil rights stripped away, you have to do something,” says Lauper, who co-founded True Colors United in 2008 to support homeless LBGTQIA+ youth.
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Cyndi Lauper as a Proud Ally
Cyndi Lauper serves as Grand Marshall.Bryan Smith/ZUMAPRESS/alamay
Bryan Smith/ZUMAPRESS/alamay
The longtime LGBTQ-rights advocate was grand marshal at New York City’s 2012 Gay Pride Parade. “When you see your friends and family get their civil rights stripped away, you have to do something,” says Lauper, who co-founded True Colors United in 2008 to support homeless LBGTQIA+ youth.
12of 14Cyndi Lauper Using Music as ArtCyndi Lauper.Nicholas Hunt/GettyLauper opened the WorldPride festival in Brooklyn in 2019. “It was the pinnacle of doing a performance-art piece,” she said. “We had drag queens and transgender people of all shapes and sizes, young and old, and we just danced.”
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Cyndi Lauper Using Music as Art
Cyndi Lauper.Nicholas Hunt/Getty
Nicholas Hunt/Getty
Lauper opened the WorldPride festival in Brooklyn in 2019. “It was the pinnacle of doing a performance-art piece,” she said. “We had drag queens and transgender people of all shapes and sizes, young and old, and we just danced.”
13of 14Cyndi Lauper Is No. 1 MomCyndi Lauper and son Declyn.Bruce Glikas/GettyOn Nov. 19, 1997, just ahead of their sixth wedding anniversary, Lauper and her husband welcomed their first and only child together,a son named Declyn Wallace Thornton Lauper.Though the singer is a proud mom, she and her husband have chosen to keep their home life private.
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Cyndi Lauper Is No. 1 Mom
Cyndi Lauper and son Declyn.Bruce Glikas/Getty
Bruce Glikas/Getty
On Nov. 19, 1997, just ahead of their sixth wedding anniversary, Lauper and her husband welcomed their first and only child together,a son named Declyn Wallace Thornton Lauper.
Though the singer is a proud mom, she and her husband have chosen to keep their home life private.
14of 14Cyndi Lauper Heads to the White HouseCyndi Lauper.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesOn Dec. 13, 2022, Lauper performed during a bill signing ceremony for the Respect for Marriage Act on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The Respect for Marriage Act codifies same-sex and interracial marriages.
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Cyndi Lauper Heads to the White House
Cyndi Lauper.Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
On Dec. 13, 2022, Lauper performed during a bill signing ceremony for the Respect for Marriage Act on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The Respect for Marriage Act codifies same-sex and interracial marriages.
source: people.com
