Never one to be shy, singer/songwriter Cyndi Lauper (b. 1953) was born Cynthia Anne Stephanie Lauper in New York City. Growing up in an Italian-Sicilian home, she was dyslexic and started playing guitar at age 12. She fell in love with music.

“No matter what you wanna be, you gotta break yer ass; you gotta work hard. Do what’s in your heart and don’t take no for an answer,” the upbeat performer advised.

Known for her eclectic style, upbeat music, and strong vocals, Lauper became an MTV favorite and rose to fame in the 1980s. Her 1983 solo debut album, She’s So Unusual, featured Girls Just Want to Have Fun, an anthem of feminine self-expression and joy.

“I wanted to bring women together,” she explained. “It brought women around the world together—it was a celebration, and I think that's very important.”

She won a Grammy for Best New Artist and followed with True Colors, an exquisite song of hope and encouragement that became a beacon of courage and self-acceptance.

In 2010, Lauper released Memphis Blues, a deep, soulful album that featured collaborations with music legends like B.B. King, Allen Toussaint, and Ann Peebles. “I sang that for courage,” she revealed. “Then I realized that if it was a healing song for me, it was a healing song for the world.”