Cyndi Lauper, the fun-loving pop star with a pixie-like look, burst onto the scene in 1983 with her hit song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which quickly became an anthem for women everywhere. She’s all about self-empowerment, with her colorful hair, unique fashion, and playful, carefree personality that’s impossible to ignore.
But behind her bright and cheerful persona, Lauper has been quietly battling a serious skin condition called psoriasis. At its worst, she said it was so severe that “it looked like someone threw boiling water on me.” Despite her upbeat voice that makes everyone feel good, Lauper has been dealing with this chronic, incurable illness since she was diagnosed in 2010.
Psoriasis is a tough condition that causes scaly patches, intense pain, itching, and overall discomfort. It’s something that affects around 125 million people worldwide, including 8 million in the U.S. Lauper first noticed the symptoms when she started experiencing pain and irritation on her scalp, and over time, things only got worse.
Initially, she thought the flare-ups might be due to her frequent hair dyeing, but it turned out to be much more serious.
Beyond her music, Lauper is a busy mom, a touring sensation, and a dedicated activist. Inspired by her sister Ellen, who is a lesbian, Lauper has always been passionate about advocating for human rights and supporting the LGBT community.
In 2005, she wrote the song “Above the Clouds” in memory of Matthew Shepard, a gay student who was tragically beaten to death in Wyoming. She also launched the “True Colors” concert tour in 2007-2008, which raised money for LGBT foundations and charities.
Lauper’s career as a singer, songwriter, and actor has spanned four decades, earning her numerous awards and honors. She’s won a Tony Award, two Grammys, an MTV Music Video Award, and an Emmy for her guest appearance on the TV show “Mad About You” in 1995.
In 2013, she was invited as a special guest to President Barack Obama’s second inauguration for her humanitarian work. She even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Even with her illness, Lauper continues to be a powerhouse. She’s learning to manage her stress—one of the triggers for psoriasis—to keep the condition from taking over her life. Remarkably, while dealing with severe psoriasis flare-ups at the time of her diagnosis, she composed the music and lyrics for the Broadway hit musical “Kinky Boots.”
Her work on the show won her a Tony Award for Best Original Score, making her the first woman to win in that category. The show went on to win five more Tony Awards, including Best New Musical.
Lauper has been open about her journey with psoriasis, sharing her story to help others going through similar struggles. In an interview with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), she admitted, “I’ve never been very good at handling stress.” To help manage it, she’s embraced a holistic approach, including reiki, a Japanese relaxation and stress-relief technique. “That helps me,” she said.
She also practices yoga, meditation, and enjoys outdoor walks with her dog or husband, David Thornton, whom she married in 1991. The couple has one son, born in 1997. Lauper encourages everyone to prioritize self-care, saying, “Taking care of oneself is not a bad thing,” and urging people to “make a little time for you every day.” She suggests starting small, adding, “How about five minutes for you?”
Despite her positive outlook, Lauper admits that dealing with psoriasis can be incredibly hard. “It’s really hard to get up again when psoriasis gets really bad,” she shared. She sometimes experienced chills because her body couldn’t regulate its temperature properly, leading to symptoms like hypothermia.
The pain was constant, even at rest, and it didn’t help when others dismissed her condition as “just a rash.”
“You don’t have to go through pain,” Lauper insists. There are treatments available—topical, oral, and injectable medications—that can help manage the often-intense effects of psoriasis. Lauper found great relief with a medication called Cosentyx from Novartis, and she proudly says she’s been “four years clear” since using it.
In 2017, Lauper opened up about how she manages her psoriasis with HealthDay. “It’s strange how you start wearing gloves or other items in the hopes that your psoriasis won’t show, but it doesn’t,” she said. “Everyone hides it, don’t they? The number of people who have it but keep it a secret could surprise you. It’s a topic worth discussing because it’s one of those things that is somewhat invisible.”
Lauper continues the conversation about psoriasis on her podcast, “PsO in the Know,” where she interviews others who live with the condition, along with advocates and celebrities who share their experiences. The podcast, now in its third season, is available on Stitcher, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
Lauper isn’t the only celebrity dealing with psoriasis. Kim Kardashian was diagnosed at 30 and has been open about her own struggles. Her mother, Kris Jenner, had her first breakout in her late 20s and called it “life-changing.” Other well-known figures with psoriasis include musician Art Garfunkel, actor Jon Lovitz, and Jerry Mathers, known as “The Beaver.”
We are fortunate to have role models like Cyndi Lauper, who use their platforms to help others overcome challenges. Her journey and contributions make the world a brighter place, and her resilience and bravery inspire us all!
