Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper, born on June 22, 1953, is a prominent American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist with a career spanning more than four decades. Lauper made history with her debut album "She's So Unusual" in 1983, becoming the first female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. These included iconic songs like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Time After Time", "She Bop", and "All Through the Night", leading to her winning the Best New Artist award at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985.
Her musical success continued with hits like "True Colors" and "Change of Heart" from her second album "True Colors" (1986). Lauper's diverse career also includes notable achievements in blues with "Memphis Blues" (2010), which topped the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 consecutive weeks. She further cemented her versatility by winning a Tony Award for composing the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" in 2013, becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Original Score alone.
Over her career, Lauper has sold over 50 million records worldwide and received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Emmys, Tonys, and MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). She is recognized for her impact on music and culture, with achievements such as winning the inaugural Best Female Video prize at the 1984 VMAs for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". Lauper's influence extends beyond music; she is also known for her advocacy work, particularly in support of LGBT rights in the United States, and was honored for her charitable contributions during U.S. President Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013.
Lauper remains a celebrated figure in the music industry, known for her distinctive style, including various hair colors and eclectic fashion choices, and her powerful four-octave vocal range. Her debut album "She's So Unusual" is recognized in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, with her hit "Time After Time" featured in VH1's list of the 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 years. She is also featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Women Who Rock exhibit, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering artist and advocate.
