Chappell Roan helped usher in Cyndi Lauper’s induction into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame on Saturday night time.
Issues acquired off to a rocky begin when Roan by chance dropped an f-bomb. “I tousled so badly by refusing to get contacts,” she joked. “Holy cow.”
The contacts subject would plague her a couple of extra occasions as she learn her speech (the large headpiece more healthy for a crimson carpet than a speech honoring an icon in all probability didn’t assist), however the phrases had been nonetheless on level. Roan praised Lauper for being a trailblazer, displaying “the braveness that not solely creates unimaginable artwork, it offers everybody who experiences it the permission to be themselves. It opens their hearts, it adjustments their thoughts, and that’s its energy. Tonight, we honor a girl who redefined what a pop star may appear like, sound like, sing like, and be.”
As Roan ticked off Lauper’s successes, contributions, and iconic songs, she famous that “True Colours” was of nice private significance. “Once I was 14 years previous, I carried out ‘True Colours’ at a expertise present in my hometown in Missouri,” she stated. “That was my first time ever profitable a contest for singing, and that has been so necessary to me ever since. ‘True Colours’ has gone on to be an anthem synonymous with love and acceptance within the LGBTQ plus neighborhood and past — a message that also stands the check of time.”
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Fittingly, Lauper opened her efficiency (which featured The Go-Go’s Gina Schock on drums) with that very music, calling down a rainbow from the sky earlier than diving into the observe. As she hit the second, “So don’t be afraid!” she threw her fist into the air and paused — the progress delight flag displayed behind her.
She then requested everybody to take out their telephones and activate their flashlights. “Have a look at us: We’re a neighborhood of sunshine. Don’t overlook that, in case it will get actually darkish,” she stated earlier than going into “Time After Time.” For the second verse, Lauper invited out Raye to affix her, and the 2 waved their lights collectively. Subsequent, Avril Lavigne appeared for “Ladies Simply Wanna Have Enjoyable,” which additionally noticed fellow inductees Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella come out to affix in on the, nicely, enjoyable. Lauper even modified the phrases to, “The Ladies they wanna have elementary rights” on the ultimate chorus.
Throughout her personal speech, Lauper gave because of everybody who had ever helped her, household and professionals alike. “I do know I stand on the shoulders of the ladies within the business who got here earlier than me,” she stated, earlier than turning to have a look at Roan, “and my shoulders are broad sufficient for the ladies who come after me to face on mine.” She added, “The little child in me nonetheless believes that rock ‘n’ roll can save the world — and rock ‘n’ roll is an enormous, fantastic quilt of various kinds of music… So I simply wanna say, now of all occasions, let’s come collectively once more and do good on this planet, as a result of it wants us.”
In a video asserting her participation final month, Roan stated, “She has impressed me together with her style and her hair, and naturally, her make-up, her music. I truly auditioned with ‘True Colours’ for America’s Bought Expertise after I was 13. I didn’t make it, however the music continues to be unimaginable. I’m so excited, thanks for having me.”
The admiration is mutual, as Lauper sang Roan’s praises within the 2024 documentary Let The Canary Sing, throughout which she praised the “Pink Pony Membership” singer: “Such dusky, craving keyboard pop. Wow, born in 1998, she’s even youthful than my son! And that hair! That sort of jogs my memory of what I did on the blues file, Memphis Blues…. Simply unimaginable!”
The 2025 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame Class additionally contains Soundgarden, Dangerous Firm, OutKast, The White Stripes, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker within the performer class.
The induction ceremony aired stay on Disney+ on Saturday, November eighth, and will probably be out there to stream on-demand following the ceremony. Discover our full protection right here.
Lauper’s ongoing farewell tour was not too long ago prolonged into 2026 with the announcement of “Cyndi Lauper: Stay in Las Vegas,” a 2026 Las Vegas residency on the Colosseum at Caesars Palace set for subsequent spring.
Ladies simply wish to have enjoyable! Cyndi Lauper is joined by @RAYE, @AvrilLavigne, and @TheSaltNPepa to rejoice her induction with this timeless anthem.#RockHall2025 pic.twitter.com/ngRaMjwt2J
— Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (@rockhall) November 9, 2025
“My shoulders are broad sufficient to have the ladies who come after me stand on mine.” — Cyndi Lauper accepts her 2025 Rock Corridor Induction and offers because of all the ladies who got here earlier than her. #RockHall2025 pic.twitter.com/IKrHRSTduF
— Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (@rockhall) November 9, 2025
From one icon to a different ✨ @chappellroan inducts @cyndilauper into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame.#RockHall2025 pic.twitter.com/5VSn9JBTNK
— Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (@rockhall) November 9, 2025
“🫢” – @chappellroan#RockHall2025 pic.twitter.com/G8xTxrEyK6
— Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (@rockhall) November 9, 2025
