In 1983, Cyndi Lauper released her debut album “She’s So Unusual” at the same time that MTV was gaining popularity. Lauper viewed her public image as a form of visual art, working closely with a makeup artist and stylist to create her unique style. She often bartered her labor for clothes at the vintage shop Screaming Mimi’s, where founder Laura Wills eventually started styling her. Lauper’s outfits were carefully constructed, using a mix of patterns and colors that set her apart from others in the early ’80s.
Lauper quickly became a feminist icon, refusing to reveal her age to interviewers and making political statements through her fashion choices. She used her platform to speak out on issues such as women’s rights and AIDS awareness, recording songs like “True Colors” in honor of a friend who died from the disease. In 2008, she founded True Colors United to help combat homelessness among LGBTQ youth, and in 2022, she established the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights fund to support reproductive justice movements, including abortion access.
After the success of “She’s So Unusual,” Lauper won the best new artist Grammy in 1985. The album and hit songs like “Time After Time” and “All Through the Night” broke records, but Lauper noticed that her unique style was being imitated by others in the industry. Despite this, she continued to push boundaries and use her platform for activism, even if it meant losing business or facing backlash from some audiences. Throughout her career, Lauper has remained true to her beliefs and has used her influence to advocate for important social issues.
Cyndi Lauper’s impact goes beyond her music, as she has been a vocal advocate for equality and social justice throughout her career. Her bold fashion choices and feminist statements have helped solidify her status as an icon in the music industry and beyond. By founding organizations like True Colors United and the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights fund, Lauper continues to use her platform to make a difference and support marginalized communities. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the power of art and activism to create positive change in the world.
