Cyndi Lauper was a music and entertainment industry icon known for her free-spirited attitude and bright, one-of-a-kind aesthetic that charmed admirers worldwide. Her signature fashion sense of brilliant colors and unusual haircuts became a combination of pop and rock, inspiring young girls worldwide to embrace self-expression without fear.
Few understood, however, that despite her confident and carefree demeanor on stage, Lauper was dealing with a severe medical issue called psoriasis.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune illness characterized by the formation of scaly red patches on the skin due to fast skin cell proliferation. Psoriasis flare-ups can be provoked by stress and certain drugs, and they are typically treated with topical corticosteroids or other medications such as methotrexate or cyclosporine.
While Lauper has been honest about her psoriasis battle, she has never let it stop her from chasing her dreams or pushing others to do the same. Despite her physical condition, she acts on stage with great courage and excitement, proving that no illness should ever prohibit anyone from experiencing life to the fullest.
The 80s music period was stunned when Cyndi Lauper emerged on the scene. Her unique wardrobe selections, dramatic makeup trends, and iconic hairstyle set her apart.
Her debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” became an immediate classic and featured some of her most memorable songs, including “Time After Time,” “True Colors,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
Lauper soon acquired a devoted legion of followers who responded to her enthusiasm with songs that cut deep into the center of human feeling and experiences.
In appreciation of both the quality of her work on the album and its remarkable success, she received a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1985. Since then, she has received numerous prizes, including multiple Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and MTV VMAs, demonstrating her enduring appeal in the music industry over four decades.
To this day, Lauper continues to create timeless music that appeals to both old and new fans with each new release or performance.
Cyndi Lauper was diagnosed with psoriasis in 2010, forcing her to combat the condition in silence. Following her medical doctor’s diagnosis, the singer began to experience scalp irritations and discomfort throughout her body, which worsened over time. Psoriasis symptoms include itching joints, scalps, and scaly patches.
She initially assumed that her frequent hair coloring irritated her. By 2015, Lauper had suffered more psoriasis flare-ups and felt constrained by the ailment.
The “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” singer endured physical and emotional suffering due to the illness despite continuing to tour and perform at concerts. While it may have been difficult for her, she persevered to continue doing what she loves most—bringing joy to people through music.
Her ability to remain resilient in the face of such adversity is fantastic, as she has done an outstanding job managing her health and her work simultaneously.
Cyndi Lauper’s health troubles eventually deteriorated her ability to work and perform, with tragic results. In a 2015 People interview, she characterized herself as feeling like “the elephant man” because of the severe symptoms related to her malignant psoriasis diagnosis. To cope with her sickness, the single mother tried herbal therapies and even gave up some of her signature looks, such as wigs and turtlenecks, making her feel more like a nun.
Life’s events motivated the singer-songwriter, and she felt it was time to find inner power beyond what she portrayed via music. Her health decline jeopardized her physical well-being and her mental and emotional resiliency. Despite the multiple hurdles provided by the sickness, she never gave up, realizing that “life is about learning” through the ups and downs it brings.
Lauper has used the principle of living in the now effectively and finding comfort within tight family relationships to keep moving forward. Despite feeling down due to its consequences, she made it a point to bring light into herself, finding methods to remain optimistic throughout this trip.
This celebrity has set an example of how to remain resilient in facing adversity, embracing hope while remaining conscious of reality without giving up hope or succumbing to despair.
Cyndi Lauper collaborated with Novartis and the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2015 to launch MoretoPsoriasis.com, an educational website committed to spreading awareness and education about skin illnesses. With over 7.5 million individuals who have psoriasis globally, she wanted to make those affected feel less alone by providing them with helpful tools.
Lauper recently performed at a New Year’s Eve party with fellow musician Billy Porter, displaying her incredible vocal abilities. The two performed “True Colors” in support of those with psoriasis and other skin disorders, encouraging them to be strong in the face of adversity.
In addition to offering information and support to psoriasis patients, Lauper hopes her work will stimulate more discussion about skin illnesses and help others realize their potential despite any health challenges they may have had.
