Legendary pop icon Cyndi Lauper, whose debut album “She’s So Unusual” made waves over four decades ago, continues to inspire new generations of artists, a sentiment heartily echoed by contemporary pop sensation Chappell Roan. Ahead of Lauper’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 8, Roan shared her profound admiration for the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer, highlighting Lauper’s influence on her musical approach and performance style. In a clip posted to the Hall’s official Instagram, Roan expressed her excitement, noting, “She has inspired me with her fashion, her hair, of course, her makeup, her music.” She even revealed that she auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” at age 13 with Lauper’s classic hit “True Colors,” underscoring the song’s enduring power.

Chappell Roan, who experienced a significant cultural breakthrough in 2024, shares notable musical and aesthetic parallels with Cyndi Lauper. Her Hot 100 top 20 hit “Hot to Go,” from her acclaimed debut album “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” clearly draws from Lauper’s distinctive synthpop sound. Furthermore, both artists hold the prestigious best new artist Grammy Award, with Lauper winning in 1985 and Roan following exactly four decades later in 2025. This mutual admiration extends beyond mere influence; following Roan’s Joan of Arc-themed performance of “Good Luck, Babe” at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, Lauper publicly lauded it as “performance art,” emphasizing its strong visual appeal during an appearance on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” on September 15, 2024.

Both artists have seen recent career milestones. Chappell Roan has had a highly successful year, with two new songs reaching the Hot 100’s top 10: the country-tinged “The Giver” peaked at No. 5 and the sweeping ballad “The Subway” reached No. 3, marking her highest-charting entry to date. Following Lauper’s Rock Hall induction, Roan is set to conclude her “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things Tour” at Mexico City’s Corona Capital Festival on November 14. Meanwhile, Cyndi Lauper’s “Grammy Salute” special, filmed at the Hollywood Bowl, aired earlier this month on CBS and Paramount+, featuring performances by musical luminaries like Joni Mitchell, Cher, John Legend, SZA, and Lauper herself. Looking ahead, Lauper announced her first-ever residency, scheduled to begin in April 2026 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, solidifying her ongoing presence in the music world.