Last night, at the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, Cyndi Lauper was honored with an induction by Chappell Roan.
Following the induction, the iconic ’80s pop star performed a medley of career-spanning hits with special accompaniment from Avril Lavigne, Raye, and others to celebrate the occasion. Watch a replay of those memorable moments below.
During the induction, Roan shared a personal story about how she covered Lauper’s classic song “True Colors” during a singing competition as a child, and how Lauper’s music has remained close to her heart ever since.
“It’s that courage that not only creates incredible art that gives everyone who experiences it the permission to be themselves — it opens their hearts, it changes their mind, and that is its power,” Roan said of Lauper. “Tonight, we honor a woman who redefined what a pop star could look like, sound like, and be.”
Lauper then took the stage to perform a selection of her most beloved songs. She began with a solo rendition of “True Colors,” followed by the timeless 1984 hit “Time After Time” alongside British singer Raye. Next, she invited Avril Lavigne to join her for a spirited performance of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
Towards the end of that track, Lauper encouraged the audience to sing along and was joined onstage by Salt-n-Pepa to celebrate the moment together.
After her performances, Lauper delivered a heartfelt speech acknowledging her induction and thanking her supporters:
“I just want to say that I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me, and my shoulders are broad enough to have the women who came after me stand on mine,” she said.
“The little kid in me still believes that rock ‘n’ roll can save the world. I just want to say now of all time, let’s come together again and do good in the world because it needs us.”
https://pitchfork.com/news/cyndi-lauper-inducted-by-chappell-roan-performs-hits-at-rock-hall-2025-ceremony-watch