Cyndi Lauper has never been one to back down. From shattering music industry norms with her trailblazing debut album, She’s So Unusual, to championing LGBTQ+ rights and women’s health, she’s built a career—and a legacy—on speaking her truth.
Now, at 71, she’s using her unmistakable voice to shed light on a battle that’s deeply personal: her fight with psoriasis.
As she begins to wind down her Girls Just Want to Have Fun Farewell Tour, Lauper is reflecting on decades of breaking barriers—winning Grammys, conquering Broadway and inspiring millions with her fearless authenticity. But behind the bright lights and bold style, she’s also been navigating the challenges of a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide.
The Long Road to the Right Diagnosis
Lauper’s journey with psoriasis began more than a decade ago, but like many women, getting answers wasn’t easy.
“I made the mistake of going to the wrong types of doctors at the beginning of my crisis,” she told Flow Space. “I finally realized I should go to a rheumatologist. That changed everything.”
The symptoms—painful, scaly patches of skin, joint discomfort—weren’t just physically exhausting; they took an emotional toll, too.
“It’s not just a skin thing,” she explained. “It’s exhausting. You feel embarrassed, you don’t want to go out, and it affects your work.”
And for a performer like Lauper, work isn’t just about showing up—it’s a full-body commitment.
“I work for five hours before I even step on stage—physical therapy, vocal warm-ups, the whole thing,” she said. “When my psoriasis was at its worst, it felt like an uphill battle.”
Breaking the Stigma, Finding Relief
Determined not to let psoriasis define her, Lauper became an advocate, using her platform to raise awareness.
Through her partnership with pharmaceutical company Novartis and their Still Working campaign, she’s teamed up with James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein to share their experiences before and after beginning treatment with Cosentyx. In a series of videos, the pair chat about their respective health journeys, managing symptoms, the connection between plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and the importance of self-advocacy.
Her biggest message? Don’t suffer in silence.
“There are options out there,” she emphasized. “For years, I tried to manage it on my own—diet, stress reduction, reiki. And while all of that helps, seeing a specialist and getting the right treatment made all the difference.”
As for Lauper’s candid conversations with Bernstein? “We want people to feel seen and to know they’re not alone,” she explained.
A Celebration, Not a Goodbye
For Lauper, her Girls Just Want to Have Fun Farewell Tour isn’t about stepping away—it’s about celebrating the journey.
“I want to do this while I’m still strong enough to sing the way I want to sing,” she said. “It’s not the end of music for me. It’s just the end of the planes, trains and automobiles.”
From turning Girls Just Want to Have Fun into a feminist anthem to founding True Colors United, which fights LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, Lauper has always pushed boundaries. Now, she’s using that same fearless spirit to shift the conversation around chronic illness.
“I always tell people, don’t let fear stop you,” she said. “If something’s wrong, speak up. Find a doctor who listens. And don’t ever think you just have to live with it.”
As she takes the stage for the last leg of her final tour, Lauper remains as electric as ever—a testament to her resilience, advocacy and the power of owning your story.