Chappell Roan honours Cyndi Lauper’s impact on LGBTQ+ people at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Chappell Roan has lauded Cyndi Lauper for being a “fierce advocate and ally” of the LGBTQ+ community as she inducted her into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

On Saturday night (8 November) at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles, “Pink Pony Club” singer Chappell Roan was on hand to pay tribute to “born performer and revolutionary songwriter” Cyndi Lauper, as she became one of this year’s inductees.

Roan took to the stage to praise the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” hitmaker, 72, for her contribution to pop culture, shining a particular light on her 1986 song “True Colors” and how it became an LGBTQ+ anthem.

“Cyndi embodies every quality of an artist that I admire,” 27-year-old Roan began.

“She’s a born performer and a revolutionary songwriter, a forever fashion icon, and a fierce advocate and ally. And from the very beginning, she owned every ounce of who she was — the manic, panicked hair, all of those rad fingerless gloves and those unbelievably layered, dynamic and one-of-a-kind vocals,” she continued.

She then asked the audience at the Peacock Theater if they could make “a little commotion” for Lauper’s vocals.

Roan went on to share a sweet story of how, more than a decade ago, she had performed “True Colors” at a talent show.

“One of Cyndi’s most inspiring songs to me personally is ‘True Colors.’ When I was 14 years old, I performed ‘True Colors’ at a talent show in my hometown in Missouri. That was my first time ever winning a competition for singing, and that has been so important to me ever since,” she said.

“‘True Colors’ has gone on to be an anthem synonymous with love and acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond — a message that still stands the test of time.”

Among the LGBTQ+ community, Cyndi Lauper is as known for her ‘80s pop hits as she is for her staunch allyship.

In 2008, she founded the non-profit organisation True Colors United, which works to tackle homelessness facing LGBTQ+ youth.

In a speech accepting her new position in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Lauper paid tribute to both the female music stars who existed before her, and those who have thrived after her.

“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.”

Cyndi Lauper then performed three of her biggest hits to date, beginning with “True Colors” while a rainbow flag beamed behind her.

She was then joined by Avril Lavigne, who sang pop-rock girl power anthem “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” with her, and British musician RAYE, who joined Lauper for a rendition of 1983 hit “Time After Time”.

Alongside Lauper, this year’s stars inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame include Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes and Joe Cocker.

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